Friday afternoon at MUBS, Immersion participants took part in an interactive simulation activity designed by the United States Institute for Peace (USIP). Pairs of American and Ugandan participants were assigned to 14 different stakeholder roles in a fictitious region under long-term conflict. After studying the conflict and their assigned roles, participants took part in a UN-mediated discussion, seeking to understand what’s at stake for the various parties involved in and affected by violent conflict. After three hours of formal negotiations and side caucuses, the group agreed to sign a cease fire and begin a formal peace process.

Earlier in the day, participants split into small groups to discuss perceptions of the conflict in northern Uganda, focusing on root causes, key stakeholders and major obstacles. In a debriefing activity following the USIP simulation, participants reflected on the conflict in northern Uganda with a renewed sense of vigor and appreciation for the skills of successful conflict resolution.