You are either finding Egyptian policy about a specific issue or you are finding the policies of other states
in regard to a specific issue. This is all you should work on between now and next week. You should have
an idea of what the specific ideas/opinions/stands for the country/countries you have been assigned by
October 4. You will have additional time to specify a more specific policy by October 11. “Policy” is
nothing more than a description of a state’s approach to a particular topic.
2. Most of the materials you need to discover these policies have been provided on the ICONS site. By
devoting your attention to your assignment you will facilitate your group’s ability to efficiently come to
some consensus on what the Egyptian position should be in regard to the issues. This is about you taking a
risk to discover something about someone that you don’t know.
3. The writing that needs to be done at this time has to do with providing everyone with an overview of
what you have found out. The introductory letter will be written together. I am not assigning the policy
brief nor am I giving you a copy of it because this is due later in the semester and you do not need to be
distracted by it at this point. Focus on your individual assignment for the time being.
4. I am happy to meet with each group and have been doing that already. You need to ask for help when
you need it. I am here to help you in any way I can – just ask!
5. Look at the ICONS website to see what others have done in prior simulations. This is a wonderful
source of information and can provide an example of what occurred in past scenarios.
6. Today and tonight and for the next couple of nights, work on your individual assignment. It is not time
to speculate how other states will act or how Egypt will react to them.
7. Besides going to the library at the beginning of class on Tuesday, we will spend the next three classes
working together and in groups. Also remember that we will meet during scheduled class time during the
three weeks of conferences – we will be able to continue to work together as well during the evening.
8. I know you can do this. With some patience, discipline and faith in yourselves, you can negotiate your
issues in the scenario. The only expectation I have of you is that you give it your best shot. I am proud to
be working with such an incredible group of students. I could not ask for anything more. Again, this is not
about me – this is about doing the best you can and roll with the punches as best you can. We are in this
together and will walk through it together.
See you all at the library on Tuesday at 6pm.
Shanti,
Dr. D.
APPENDIX 5: SECOND MINUTE PAPER
Minute paper
October 19, 2005
Q: What do you think is the scariest thing about the simulation?
A:
- I am scared we are going to blow all of the other teams out of the water.
- Not knowing what things in my area of expertise we are willing to negotiate away.
- The actual act of being in front of the competition and having to do all of that and worry about saying the
wrong thing.
- The scariest thing is trying to complete the requirements for the simulation from the Egyptian point of
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Convention