Global Negotiation Conference 2022
Hosted by the University of Zurich
5-9 July 2022
After two years online, the Global Negotiation Conference returned in-person hosted by the University of Zurich. Students joined from around the world, representing universities based in the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Austria, Czech Republic, Malta, United States of America, Spain and South Africa. The participants took part in three days of workshops and presentations culminating in a negotiation simulation looking to secure an agreement on principles for a new international treaty on the use of outer space.
Keynote speaker Tarja Halonen discussing with participants
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The conference program included presentations and workshops from Michael Ambühl (ETH Zurich), Valentina Tamburello (University of Zurich), Peter Cunningham (Geneva Centre for Security Policy), Mazlan Othman (Former Director UNOOSA), Geradine Goh (University of Singapore) and Eemeli Isoaho (ETH Zurich) as well as members of the IGN team. The inputs covered a range of topics including the mathematical foundations of negotiation, leadership and negotiation, mediation skills and the challenges and opportunities for an international agreement on space.
The keynote address was delivered by Tarja Halonen, President of Finland (2000-2012). She shared with participants reflections on her time in politics as well as future challenges for global negotiation.
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On the final day of the conference the teams took part in a nine hour negotiation simulation devised and facilitated by the team from the IGN. The simulation was modelled on international discussions taking place to agree to cooperation on areas of space governance including space debris, resource exploration and exploitation, benefit-sharing and technology transfer and capacity building.
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The students negotiated hard over a long day but after nine gruelling hours managed to secure an agreement by consensus.
The teams demonstrated impressive negotiation skills with the team from the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies at the University of Malta coming top in both the delegates and judges votes. They were followed by the team from Warwick Business School and then University of Graz.
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Other teams commend University of Cape Town (best preparation) and Charles University (best plenary statements).
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Participants and speakers at the conference