On May 10, 2026, the team of the Liberal Democratic League of Ukraine (LDLU), together with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom Office in Ukraine and the Pechersk Council of Leaders (PERL), held the third educational seminar within the framework of the "Rules-Based International Order for Schoolchildren" project. The initiative is aimed at deepening the understanding of youth aged 14-18 regarding the threats posed by autocratic regimes and the importance of preserving the values of global democracy.
The event began with a meeting with the Vice President of the LDLU, Yevheniia Fedotova, and activist Mykhailo Rudenko. The speakers discussed the key aspects of the model movement with the participants, its impact on the development of school leaders, and shared practical experience on starting their own international activist activities.
The central element of the seminar was the practical part — the implementation of the strategic game "The Cost of an Alliance in a Crisis".
Specifically, participants modeled an international security system amidst growing hidden tensions. The players acted as states that had to choose their allies: democratic alliances required compliance with rules and could limit the speed of decision-making, while cooperation with autocratic partners offered quick benefits but created high risks of dependency, political pressure, and loss of sovereignty.
During diplomatic interaction, the system imperceptibly entered a phase of global escalation for the participants, which eventually transformed into a large-scale international conflict (a simulation of World War III). Under the conditions of an acute crisis, the survival of states and the protection of their interests depended on their initially chosen alliances, the level of trust between partners, and the compromises made earlier.
The goal of the simulation was to visually demonstrate to the students that the choice of allies in the international arena is never neutral and always has a long-term strategic "cost". Through the game, participants were able to improve their skills in strategic thinking, risk assessment, crisis management, and conducting diplomatic negotiations.
The LDLU and its partners continue to work on forming a conscious generation of youth capable of analyzing global political processes and understanding the value of international law. We look forward to the next meeting this autumn!
