Europe in a Multipolar World – A Strategic Simulation on Crisis and Cooperation
22nd - 23rd of May, 2025
The St. Gallen Strategy Days, hosted by SQUARE, is an interactive two-day simulation where students and young professionals dive into Europe’s evolving role in a shifting multipolar world.
This year, over 150 participants will come together in teams, representing governments, international organizations, and private sector entities, to address Europe’s strategic autonomy in the face of geopolitical challenges. The 2025 scenario focuses on pressing issues such as the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, global trade shifts, and energy security, with particular attention to the complex dynamics involving Middle Eastern and regional powers.
Guided by experts, attendees will gain hands-on experience in strategy, leadership, and negotiation, developing practical skills to tackle high-stakes issues across political, economic, defense, and energy domains. This immersive simulation offers participants an invaluable opportunity to enhance their critical thinking and decision-making abilities while preparing for impactful roles in an interconnected global landscape.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Serious Gaming
1. Join a Team
You’ll be assigned to a team representing various roles, such as government officials, international organizations, or private sector leaders. Each team has a specific mission and set of objectives to achieve within the game.
2. Step into Your Role
You’ll take on a unique role (e.g., a country’s leader, a corporate executive, a military advisor) and receive a detailed briefing on your position, responsibilities, and goals. You may even be encouraged to dress the part for a more immersive experience.
3. Enter the Scenario
The simulation begins with a real-world-inspired scenario, such as a geopolitical conflict or economic crisis. You’ll be briefed on the current state of events, and your team’s actions will influence how the scenario unfolds.
4. Plan and Strategize
In this phase, you and your team will discuss strategies, set priorities, and decide how to achieve your objectives. You may need to negotiate with other teams, make alliances, or solve internal challenges. Communication and teamwork will be essential.
5. Take Action
You’ll put your plans into action within a set timeframe. Actions may include negotiating treaties, addressing crises, coordinating resources, or making tactical decisions, depending on the scenario. The game masters will track these moves and adjust the scenario based on your actions.
6. Adapt to New Challenges
Throughout the simulation, unexpected events and challenges will arise (e.g., a new conflict, economic shifts, or environmental crises). You’ll need to adapt quickly, using critical thinking and flexibility to address these new issues.
7. Reflect and Debrief
After the simulation ends, you’ll gather with others to discuss the outcomes, challenges faced, and key lessons learned. This debrief will help you connect the game experience to real-world skills like strategic decision-making, resilience, and collaboration.
Bonus: Read the Handbook
Ticket prices
HSG students: CHF 150 (will be refunded after the visit)
International students: 150 CHF
IHK / HSG Alumni: 400 CHF
External experts: CHF 600
Catering is included
Hosts
Diederik is the Director of Goldsworthy, Stolk & Associates Ltd. GS&A and an expert in modeling and simulation for NATO's Civil Military Interaction (CIMIC) Center of Excellence. He co-founded the Utrecht Institute for Conflict and Crisis Simulation and gives guest lectures on serious gaming at universities. He will soon be a European board member for Commit Global, an NGO focused on using technology for social good. GS&A develops and facilitates military games and exercises for European governments on topics such as conflict, AI, and command & control.
Tim Goudriaan runs the educational platform Teachmehowtodothat and is co-founder of the Utrecht Institute for Crisis and Conflict Simulation. He serves on the board of gaming and simulation association SAGANET, and writes about serious gaming for media such as PAXSIMS and Homo Ludens. Other than games, Tim builds eLearning modules and gives AItrainings that focus on security, business and education. He specializes in the Middle East, Eastern Europe and East Asia. He has taught on war games and conflict simulations at Utrecht University and University College Utrecht for several years.
Lucia Görke is the Global Head of People Analytics at Novelis. Previously she worked for various international companies in the data science space such as Nestlé and Allianz SE. Lucia also worked as a consultant in financial services. She holds a PhD from the University of Konstanz/New York University (NYU). Beyond her role at Novelis Lucia lectures at the University of St.Gallen at executive and bachelor level. Her expertise lies in leadership, crisis leadership and people data science and organisational behaviour.
Participant Reviews
“Its super nice to see how engaged everyone is and working together. At the same time, I realised how difficult it is to come to an agreement and that everyone also gets the same information.”
“Its quite fun, cause you can have a blank card, especially if you are like a business you can go into any direction. Its good value, the whole building is reserved, very well organised.”