Professional Training

Serb and Kosovar Young Leaders Rebuild "Akrona"

September 10 - 12, 2002/span>

Young political and civic leaders from Serbia and Kosovo, together with officials from USAID, successfully stabilized and began the reconstruction of the fictitious post-conflict country of "Akrona." The vehicle for this successful learning and team-building experience was the computer-facilitated "S.E.N.S.E." (Strategic Economic Needs & Security SimulationExercise) simulation.

Under very tight time constraints, and with incomplete information, the participants made difficult and complex resource-allocation decisions while having to take into account competing priorities, a menu of almost overwhelming political, economic and social problems, and ethnic suspicion and even hostility. The simulation, which was offered through a collaboration involving USAID, the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA), and the Institute, was well-received by all of the players, and was carried out with energy, enthusiasm, and considerable creativity.