Its goal is to enhance knowledge and interest in NATO and the matters of international security and defence policy, to increase understanding of decision-making processes in NATO, and to foster analytical skills and erudition.
In the game, each team represented one of NATO’s member states; they had to reach an agreement on the text of a joint declaration whilst defending the position of their state on specific political, military, economic and social issues.
Teamwork, activity, argumentation and behavior of team members were evaluated by a jury of experts, which then announced the three best teams:
1st place went to the team from Jelgava State Gymnasium: Elīna Smetaņina and Anastasija Šļapina (Netherlands);
2nd place went to the team from the Social Sciences Faculty of the University of Latvia: Roberts Kits and Ričards Aksels Ozoliņš (Turkey);
3rd place was claimed by the team from Rīga Stradiņš University: Eduards Gailišs and Pēteris Plakans (Canada).
The holders of the first three places have been awarded a paid trip to the NATO Headquarters in Brussels, invitations to the Riga Conference in October, and books. Runners-up also received valuable consolation prizes.
Given their success in defending the interests of their temporary countries, we at LSM would suggest they might also be in line for medals from them, too, and possibly some well-paid diplomatic consultancy work or consular positions. Congratulations to all.
The game was supported by LATO, the Ministry of Defence, and the Latvian Institute of International Relations.
