WWL brings simulation game on democracy and international responsibility to schools
Münster, July 13, 2026 – Münster. What does peace require today? Guided by this central question, the Wirtschaftliche Gesellschaft für Westfalen und Lippe e.V. (WWL) immerses students (from 10th grade upwards) in a high-stakes diplomatic scenario. The simulation game "Making Peace a Mission" places young people in the roles of heads of state, diplomats, and international observers, allowing them to experience firsthand how international understanding and collective security policy work. The title reflects the core message: peace does not happen on its own; it must be actively shaped. The format has now been piloted for the first time at a vocational college in Münster.
At the Anne-Frank-Berufskolleg, an 11th-grade class stepped into the roles of heads of state, diplomats, and international observers during a fictional crisis negotiation. The starting point was a realistic military incident on the Estonian-Russian border, modeled on actual airspace violations and drone incidents from 2025. Over the course of roughly four class periods, the 17 students analyzed the scenario, negotiated positions, and strove to reach a joint resolution.
"For me as a teacher, it was particularly valuable to see the nuanced way the class handled the topic of international security policy and how readily they adopted unfamiliar perspectives. The simulation game makes a significant contribution to developing critical judgment and democratic awareness—and the participants clearly enjoyed it," says Philipp Stangier, department head at the Anne-Frank-Berufskolleg Münster and a teacher of social studies.
The class was supported by Jennifer Lepski, a student at the University of Münster, who is available to facilitate the simulation game upon request. "I was impressed by how quickly the students embraced their roles. A topic that can easily seem abstract in the classroom suddenly came to life through the simulation game," reports Lepski.
The simulation game is part of the supporting program for the 2026 International Peace of Westphalia Prize, which the WWL will award on October 1 at the Historic Town Hall in Münster. Through this format, the WWL brings its core question directly into the classroom: What does peace need today? And what can individuals contribute to it? This year’s recipient is NATO, as an institution of collective security. Secretary General Mark Rutte will accept the award on the organization's behalf. Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz will deliver the laudatory speech.
"We want not only to inform young people about peace but also to empower them to reflect and form their own judgments. Anyone who has experienced—in the role of a diplomat—just how difficult it is to find shared solutions amidst uncertainty gains an understanding of mutual understanding and cooperation that no textbook can convey. That is precisely the kind of civic education we envision," emphasizes Dr. Reinhard Zinkann, Chairman of the Economic Society for Westphalia and Lippe (WWL).
The simulation game deliberately draws a connection to the Peace of Westphalia of 1648, concluded in Münster and Osnabrück. It is considered the foundation of modern diplomacy, international law, and the European peace order to this day. Schools conducting the activity receive all materials from the WWL digitally and free of charge: role cards, scenarios, a glossary, and a guide for teachers.
Classes that submit their results sheet after completing the activity are also entered into a prize draw. Three class representatives will have the opportunity to attend the award ceremony in Münster on October 1, 2026. The simulation game is supported by the Kommende Dortmund social institute, the Westfalen-Initiative Foundation, and Sparkasse Münsterland Ost.
