From localtechwire.com:

In the basement of Perkins Library, representatives from 16 international agencies struggle to coordinate a massive humanitarian relief effort in the aftermath of a hurricane that has devastated Central America.

Wearing headsets and connected via laptops, these 16 students in Natalia Mirovitskaya’s public policy class are role-playing a scenario using “Virtual Peace” a computer simulation developed by Duke researchers, in collaboration with Virtual Heroes, a Research Triangle Park-based developer known for its work on the military training simulation “America’s Army.”

The simulation repurposes the technology used in video games such as “World of Warcraft” to help train the next generation of international negotiators.

The U.S. military has used gaming simulations to train combat troops, fighter pilots and Special Forces in unstable regions such as Iraq. At Duke, “Virtual Peace” project leader Tim Lenoir said he was intrigued by the idea of using the same technology to foster cooperation in resolving conflict. In “Virtual Peace”, students can practice real-life diplomatic skills and learn first-hand the necessary tools for sensitive and timely crisis response. 

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