Inspiring EU crisis management exercise by College IRD students

The students of EU International Relations and Diplomacy Studies (IRD) at the College of Europe in Bruges embarked upon a simulation of the negotiations of the EU’s response to international crisis scenarios in the EU’s Eastern neighbourhood and in Northern Africa. For an entire week, from 2 to 6 February 2026, the students played the roles of EU institutions (European External Action Service, Council of the European Union and European Commission) and Member States (Ministers, COREPER and PSC Ambassadors and Working Group experts).
 

During meetings of the Council of the EU, students discussed various policy options to address the crises at stake, including humanitarian aid and civilian and military CSDP missions. Participants drafted position briefs, option papers, Decisions and Conclusions of the Foreign Affairs Council, as well as press releases and meeting reports. They also interacted with relevant third countries and international organisations through an AI-based communication system. In addition, participants were active on a special Ekix platform created for the simulation to re-create the influence of social media on international politics. The intensive negotiations– both formal and informal – ultimately set the direction for the Foreign Affairs Council’s response to both crises, outlining a comprehensive approach using the full range of EU instruments and policies.
 

This annual simulation game is an integral part of the study programme. It is facilitated by negotiation expert Alejandro Ribó, and Quentin Weiler, EEAS, Head of the Political and UN Security Council Affairs Section at the EU Delegation to the United Nations in New York. The course offers a realistic experience of EU crisis management by immersing students in a high-intensity exercise which allows them to apply their knowledge on EU external action and negotiation skills acquired during the first semester. In the concluding session, Mr Anouar El Anouni joined the students to share insights from his current position as EU Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.