On 11 November 2011, researchers in International Politics will introduce 300 high school students to the latest knowledge. The students will learn about the new world order, and, together, they must determine the future of the Middle East in a new simulation game.

2011.11.03 | Martin Strandby

Which conflicts and wars are Denmark likely to face in the coming years? For how long will the United States remain the world’s sole superpower? And has the financial crisis destroyed the co-operation between the nations of the world?

300 high school students will be given the tools to help answer important questions such as the ones mentioned above. In co-operation with their teachers they will participate in the project day “A New World Order? What every student should know about the world” (page only available in Danish), which has been arranged by researchers from the Department of Political Science and Government, Business and Social Sciences, Aarhus University.

Researchers from Aarhus University share new expert knowledge on international politics
A number of researchers will present the latest knowledge within their respective fields of expertise to the students and give them insight into some of the most important themes of today: Danish foreign policy, war and peace, the Middle East, the Arab Spring, the financial crisis, the decline of American power and the new potential superpowers.

-The United States and the Western World has dominated the world for decades, but the new line of superpowers are becoming increasingly stronger in terms of both political and economic power; the financial crisis has had a more severe impact on Western societies than on countries such as India and China. At the same time, the Arab Spring has created a brand new situation in the Middle East and the rest of the world. If one is to understand the world of today, then it is crucial to comprehend these developments and possess the tools needed to analyse them, says associate professor Tonny Brems Knudsen.

High school students must determine the future of the Middle East
The students will experience first-hand just how difficult it is to make the best decisions in a complex world as they play a simulation game inspired by the Arab Spring.  In the game they must represent the different countries and organisations and play with and against one another. Solving complex dilemmas, such as whether military intervention in Libya can be justified, is difficult when other Arab countries are also terrorising their own civilian populations.

The high school students must be up to date in terms of knowledge about international relations. Therefore, their teachers will participate in the workshop “International politics anno 2011+” during which the researchers will share their experiences on teaching the students in complex, international relations. At the same time, they will introduce a new textbook “International PolitikNU” (page only available in Danish) to teachings at the secondary school level.

Registration and programme:
Project day: A New World Order? What every student should know about the world” (page only available in Danish)

Friday 11 October 2011, 8.30 am – 3.00 pm
Aarhus University, Aulaen (Building 1412), Ndr. Ringgade 4, 8000 Aarhus C

Additional information:

Tonny Brems Knudsen
Associate professor in international politics
Department of Political Science and Government, Aarhus University
Tel.: (+45) 8942 1344
E-mail: tbrems@ps.au.dk
Website: http://au.dk/tbrems@ps