The main award to the winners is a paid trip to the NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.
"The goal of the simulation game is to enhance knowledge and interest in NATO and the matters of international security and defense policy, to increase understanding of decision-making processes in NATO, and to foster analytical skills and erudition," publicity material says.
Applications for the simulation game opened on 8 March, and any young adult or student interested in security policy and the functioning of NATO can put together a team of two people and apply for participation.
To apply, the team has to create a video application no longer than one minute and send it together with the application form to e-mail address,[email protected], before 5 pm on 29 March. The video application should demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Latvia’s security policy and the functioning of NATO. The application can be presented in the format of an interview, a news item, a conversation etc.
However, that is not the only requirement. The application should also be posted on the applicants’ Facebook profile, with adding hashtags #LVNATO15 #WeAreNATO and references to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Latvian Transatlantic Organisation (LATO). The competition regulations and the team application form can be downloaded from the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia at www.mfa.gov.lv.
On 8 April, the 29 best teams, the participants of the simulation game, will be announced. On 15 April, the competitors will be invited to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where the teams will draw lots to decide which countries they represent in the simulation game. The participants will also be made acquainted with the scenario.
The simulation game will take a place on 15 May, mainly on the premises of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A part of the scenario will be enacted at the Ādaži military base of the Latvian National Armed Forces. In the game, each team will represent one of NATO’s member countries; they will have to reach an agreement on the text of a joint declaration whilst defending their state’s position on specific political, military, economic and social issues.
The work, activity, argumentation and behaviour of the teams will be evaluated by a jury of experts. It will then announce three winners to be awarded various prizes.
The game is supported by LATO, the Ministry of Defence, and the Latvian Institute of International Relations.
Regulations of NATO Simulation Game (in Latvian)
