Tufts University’s annual Field Exercise in Peace and Stability Operations (FIELDEX) is a collaborative, interdisciplinary initiative led by undergraduates from the student group ALLIES (Alliance Linking Leaders in Education and the Services). MISSION STATEMENT:
Tufts University’s Field Exercise in Peace and Stability Operations (FieldEx) is a collaborative, interdisciplinary initiative led by u
ndergraduates from the student group ALLIES (Alliance Linking Leaders in Education and the Services). FieldEx seeks to expose participants to the difficulties of decision making during conflict, the complementary and competing interests of the stakeholders involved, and the inter-agency collaboration essential for a successful mission. Encourages application of classroom theories to simulated real- world crises;
2. Develops leadership, decision-making, and crisis management skills in fast-paced and challenging scenarios;
4. Offers insight into operational difficulties that students will likely face as future leaders in government, civilian, military, and non- governmental organizations. WHY FIELDEX? Experts believe that we are entering into an era of persistent conflict characterized by continual, low-intensity fighting between religious, ethnic, and/or ideological groups. Conventional means have proved insufficient in resolving these conflicts, highlighting the increased significance of peace and stability operations. Thus all around the world we see international efforts to remove key factors of instability, improve rule of law, and provide emergency reconstruction and aid. In order to contribute effectively to the discussion, development, and implementation of this change in strategy, it is essential that citizens–particularly future leaders–better understand the difficulties faced by civilian and military forces on the ground. While existing exercises in negotiation and diplomacy offer valuable opportunities for students to experience the nuances of policy making, FieldEx challenges participants to actively engage with conflict. It pushes students to adopt competing group loyalties and personal interests in a conflict outcome; make difficult, ad hoc decisions in a high-stakes environment with limited options, and face the concrete consequences of their actions. FieldEx participants walk away from the exercise with new perspectives on the challenges of policy implementation. When assessing the elections in Haiti, rules of engagement in Afghanistan, or the peace agreement in Sudan, they will be able to draw on the challenges that they faced in FieldEx.
