Our Arctic Innovation Scholars, Great Issues Scholars, Global Health Fellows, and War and Peace Fellows participated in the intense Game of International Commerce and Environment in the Arctic (ICE) simulation.
The purpose of the “ICE” game was to immerse students in the most pressing, interconnected challenges facing the Arctic today. Driven by changing sea ice coverage, the simulation required participants to address the difficult balancing act between four competing priorities:
- Territorial Integrity and Security
- Economic Opportunity
- Environmental Preservation
- Indigenous Community Interests
Combining elements of a strategic board game with high-stakes role-play (similar to a Model United Nations), the game challenged our fellows to maximize economic benefit while simultaneously minimizing cultural and ecological impact. The exercise provided invaluable hands-on experience in diplomacy, negotiation, and collaborative problem-solving across disciplines, proving that the future of the Arctic requires a sophisticated understanding of complex trade-offs.
