CRISP

As we bid farewell to 2024 and step into the new year, we want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible milestones we’ve achieved together. It’s been a year full of meaningful moments, growth, and impactful collaborations, and we couldn’t have done it without the unwavering support of our community. 💙 This year, we proudly celebrated our AI-supported PEACEGAME winning the prestigious “Serious Games Innovation Award” at I/ITSEC in Orlando! This recognition is a testament to the power of innovation in conflict transformation 🌍 We've also wrapped up the U-Power Project with a reflective final event, empowering youth across Moldova. Similarly, Y-LEAD, our initiative creating virtual spaces for active citizenship, concluded with a successful closing event, further cementing our commitment to supporting global youth in shaping their futures. 🌱 In 2024, we deepened our focus on tackling the challenges of disinformation and corruption, launching new digital tools and offering advanced training to media professionals in Armenia. From climate crisis scenario workshops in Egypt and Sudan to empowering youth in Bahrain through policy simulation games, we’ve been at the forefront of fostering positive change through innovative, interactive training. We also co-organized the pre-conference of the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2024 in Berlin, which brought together over 120 organizations, strengthening the role of the Ukrainian diaspora in the country's reconstruction. Together, we made strides toward a more connected, empowered world. 🌏 As we look to the future, we remain dedicated to our mission of conflict transformation, civic education, and building bridges across cultures. We are so grateful for your continued support and partnership, which have made these accomplishments possible. Here’s to a 2025 filled with new possibilities, collaborations, and even more impactful work. ✨ Wishing you a joyful and prosperous New Year! #HappyNewYear #CRISP2024 #YearInReview #PeaceGame #DigitalTools #GlobalImpact #YouthEmpowerment #BuildingBridges

In collaboration with the Global Education and Training Initiative (GETI) Board 🌍, CRISP successfully tested a unique simulation game designed for intercultural engagement. The game equips local community leaders and peacebuilders with tools to practice active listening and appreciative inquiry in diverse contexts. This innovative simulation is structured to supplement workshops on peacebuilding and intercultural engagement. It creates an immersive environment where participants critically examine cultural challenges and biases through four distinct phases. 🤝 The session begins with a dialogue-based icebreaker, encouraging participants to reflect on the complexities and opportunities of intercultural engagement. This is followed by a collaborative scenario development phase, where participants co-create key elements of the simulation game, including the overarching scenario and detailed role profiles. This participatory process ensures the simulation is both globally adaptable and deeply contextualized to the players’ lived experiences. Participants then assume the roles they’ve designed and engage in the simulation, culminating in a facilitated debrief that enables deeper reflection on personal biases, group dynamics, and lessons learned. The second day of the test run focused on gathering comprehensive feedback on the simulation’s structure, content, and delivery. Team members shared their experiences and offered thoughtful insights, pinpointing areas for improvement to ensure the simulation is fully optimized and ready for its planned pilot next year. #Peacebuilding #InterculturalEngagement #SimulationGame #CommunityLeaders #ActiveListening #CRISP #Innovation #GETIBoard #LeadershipTools #CulturalDiversity #Teamwork

The Bahrain Foundation for Dialogue (BFD) 🇧🇭, in partnership with CRISP, hosted an interactive simulation workshop on November 8–9, 2024. Over 12 hours of training brought together 24 participants from diverse backgrounds, including peacebuilders, lawyers, doctors, civil society representatives, and university students. The workshop equipped participants with essential skills in conflict resolution, negotiation, and sustainable community development 💡 The program centered around a fictional scenario set in "Al-Oud" on "Bakhoor Island," a region recovering from a devastating earthquake. Participants worked together to address resource-based challenges, fostering innovative and community-driven solutions. The activity highlighted dialogue, teamwork, and effective communication to turn conflicts into opportunities for cooperation. Led by expert trainers Mohamed Najib Rahmi and Dina Farid from CRISP, the workshop focused on sustainable conflict management techniques and decision-making under pressure. Participants honed their leadership skills while creating solutions to complex societal challenges 🌍 This initiative underscores CRISP’s and BFD’s commitment to peaceful coexistence and sustainable development in the region. By using innovative methods like simulation games, both organizations empower individuals and communities to embrace dialogue as a cornerstone for progress ✨ #ConflictResolution #Peacebuilding #LeadershipDevelopment #Sustainability #SimulationGames #Bahrain #CommunityDevelopment

CRISP’s AI-driven simulation "The PEACEGAME" has achieved an incredible milestone by winning the Innovation Prize 🏆 at the Serious Games Showcase & Challenge (SGS&C) during Interservice / Industry Training, Simulation, and Education Conference 2024 in Orlando, Florida. This recognition highlights The PEACEGAME’s revolutionary approach to conflict resolution, despite facing strong competition from other groundbreaking projects. ✨ Winning the prize for innovation was especially surprising and gratifying due to the high caliber of participants. The jury was convinced by The PEACEGAME’s ability to address complex conflict scenarios with a non-violent, diplomatic perspective. The criteria for innovation included creativity in design, technological advancement, and the potential to provide impactful solutions to real-world challenges. 1️⃣ Creativity in Design: A unique approach to simulating peace negotiations in a highly interactive format that stood out, even in a military-centric context like I/ITSEC. 2️⃣ Technological Advancement: Its sophisticated AI-engine predicts the outcomes of actions, creating a practical and immersive training tool. 3️⃣ Real-World Impact: By emphasizing non-violent solutions, The PEACEGAME offers an alternative perspective to traditional conflict resolution, resonating strongly with civilian and military participants alike. 🎤 Throughout the event’s four days, the CRISP team, led by Director Andreas Muckenfuß, showcased The PEACEGAME during the event’s four days, successfully attracting attention to its potential. Attendees praised the simulation as a refreshing and innovative tool for leadership training. Furthermore, the AI-engine received recognition not only from participants but also from other game designers, validating its cutting-edge design. The CRISP team also formed promising connections with leadership training programs in the U.S. and internationally, paving the way for potential partnerships in 2025. Additionally, collaborations with like-minded organizations are already in the planning stage. Looking ahead, we are excited to build on the insights gained at I/ITSEC, enhancing The PEACEGAME with new features and innovations. Winning the Innovation Prize has been a motivating and humbling experience, reinforcing CRISP’s dedication to revolutionizing peacebuilding through simulation games. 💡 Stay tuned as The PEACEGAME evolves into an even more advanced platform for conflict resolution in 2025 and beyond! Special Thanks to our partners  Serious Play Conference, Blueflame Digital, Principles for Peace, #InnovationPrize #ConflictResolution #AI #SeriousGames #Peacebuilding #LeadershipTraining #ThePEACEGAME #CRISP

On October 10, 2024, in Cairo, Egypt, our project reached an exciting milestone with a successful regional conference that highlighted the dedication and achievements of our participants 🎉 The conference offered a collaborative platform for project participants from Egypt and Sudan to showcase their work and discuss their progress to date. Held in a hybrid format, the event welcomed in-person attendees from Egypt, including esteemed Egyptian parliament members, while Sudanese participants joined online, bridging distances and strengthening connections between our regional teams. 🌱 We are immensely proud of the efforts made by our project partners in both Sudan and Egypt and extend our sincere thanks to all involved for their hard work and commitment. This conference served not only as a celebration of current successes but also as a launchpad for participants preparing to represent our project ARCH at COP29. As we look forward to the next phase, we remain optimistic about the future achievements this project will bring and the positive impact it will have across our regions 🌿 #RegionalConference #Egypt #Sudan #HybridEvent #SustainableFuture #ARCHatCOP29 #Collaboration

I had the incredible opportunity to join my fellow Global Education and Training Initiative (GETI) Board members in Berlin earlier this week! Together, we piloted GETI's simulation game, developed in partnership with CRISP, designed to support communities in post-conflict areas where intercultural engagement is challenging and ‘us vs. them’ narratives dominate. A special thanks to Aaron Tyler for hosting the group and leading impactful discussions, and to Dina Farid and Zsófia Heidrich at CRISP for their warm hospitality and expertise. 

🌍Energizing week in Berlin with my fellow GETI - Global Education and Training Initiative Board members! Honored to pilot our latest simulation game, developed alongside CRISP and St. Mary's University professor Aaron Tyler. ✨ Special thanks to Dina Farid and Zsófia Heidrich for masterfully guiding us through this innovative tool designed to bridge divides in post-conflict communities. 🤝 Witnessing how educational approaches can break down social barriers and create opportunities for connection was truly inspiring.

In partnership with the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) Prishtina Office, we recently brought together 18 participants from across the Balkans for the immersive "Kalabia" simulation game 🧩 as part of FES’ annual Future for Economy Program. The simulation game, which focused on key climate challenges like agriculture, energy security, and social justice, provided a hands-on opportunity for participants to engage in inclusive decision-making processes resembling real-world climate negotiations 🌍 Despite the length and complexity of the negotiations, the participants—coming from a variety of professional fields—embraced the challenge with enthusiasm and expertise. Many recognized how closely the game's scenarios mirrored the complexities of real-life climate talks. Through their collaborative efforts, they generated insightful strategies and creative solutions for Kalabia’s pressing climate issues. The simulation game not only fostered meaningful dialogue but also demonstrated how diverse perspectives can lead to impactful, actionable results 💡 #Kalabia #ClimateNegotiations #FESPrishtina #FutureForEconomy #Collaboration #Sustainability #ClimateAction

From November 1 to 3, 2024, CRISP held an intensive discussion training where 15 participants learned effective communication strategies to specifically debunk anti-democratic and anti-Ukrainian myths in everyday conversations 🇩🇪🇺🇦 At the Ukrainian Cultural Center in Erfurt, 15 motivated individuals from Germany and Ukraine came together over the weekend to strengthen their conversational skills and effectively challenge anti-Ukrainian and anti-democratic narratives. The event aimed to equip participants with powerful tools and strategies, enabling them to confidently confront and refute such myths. Following the training, they plan to host democratic dialogue events in various locations—such as street festivals, shopping centers, and libraries—to foster open and honest conversations about peace and democracy in society 🕊️ The training included a variety of communication methods that helped participants respond confidently to prejudices and false narratives 💬. These methods included practical exercises, role-playing, and self-reflection activities, allowing them to immediately apply and reinforce their new skills. The workshop’s goal was to empower participants to defend democratic values and contribute to public awareness. Positive feedback showed that participants now feel more prepared to take a clear stance in discussions and effectively counter misinformation 💪 #GermanUkrainianDialogue #DiscussionTraining #CRISP #PeaceBuilding #DebunkMyths #DefendDemocracy #CommunityEngagement #Erfurt #DialogueForChange

In a two-day simulation game, 40 students across two different schools stepped into the roles of presidential candidates and campaign advisors🤝 Using AI technology to simulate election results, participants were able to recreate the U.S. elections in a realistic way and are now eagerly anticipating the upcoming elections on November 5, 2024 🇺🇸 Just before the U.S. elections, 40 enthusiastic students took part in an exciting, two-day simulation focused on the dynamics of U.S. election campaigns. The simulation was conducted simultaneously in two locations: an 11th-grade class at Gymnasium am Oelberg in Königswinter played the scenario in English, while an 11th-grade class at Leo-Statz-Berufskolleg in Düsseldorf conducted the simulation in German. Over two intensive days on October 30 and 31, participants immersed themselves in the complexities of the U.S. electoral system. They took on the roles of presidential candidates and campaign advisors, developed campaign strategies, and faced media challenges like fictional news broadcasts and a final televised debate. A special feature of the simulation was the use of artificial intelligence, which simulated the final election results based on each student’s campaign strategies, enabling a realistic reproduction of the elections. The project, sponsored by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, provided young participants with a unique opportunity to experience the dynamics and challenges of political campaigns and decision-making processes firsthand💡 In a concluding reflection session, many students expressed their heightened interest in the real elections coming up on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, and valued the insights they gained as a foundation for understanding the current political landscape. #ElectionSimulation #PoliticalEngagement #AIInEducation #US2024Elections #YouthInPolitics #FriedrichEbertStiftung #CivicEngagement #FutureLeaders #CampaignStrategies #USPolitics #EducationForAll #Königswinter #Düsseldorf #StudentExperience