BANDUNG, UNIKOM — On Tuesday, August 11, 2026, the International Relations Study Program, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) at Universitas Komputer Indonesia (UNIKOM), once again held a Short Diplomatic Course (SDC) and International Session Simulation under the theme “United Nations Security Council Meets on Ukraine.” Held at the Miracle Auditorium on the 4th floor of UNIKOM Campus I, the activity featured a live simulation of a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) session in an academic setting. During the activity, students had the opportunity to apply their knowledge of international relations while honing their diplomacy, negotiation, communication, argumentation, and decision-making skills in a multilateral forum.
In her report, the Chairperson of the Executive Committee and Professor of FISIP UNIKOM, Prof. Dr. Hj. Aelina Surya, Dra., stated that the activity involved 96 participants, including 40 sixth-semester students, with others participating in supporting roles. The program was designed to provide students with experience in internationalization from both theoretical and practical perspectives, while also introducing them directly to the dynamics of international conferences. “The goal of this program is to provide students with experience in internationalization in theory and practice, as well as to provide an understanding of how international conferences are conducted,” said Prof. Aelina.
Furthermore, Prof. Aelina expressed her hope that this activity could be developed into a systematic and sustainable program to improve student competencies, particularly English language skills in academic and international relations contexts. She also expressed her appreciation to the Dean of FISIP UNIKOM, Prof. Dr. Hj. Dewi Kurniasih, S.IP., M.Si., the Head of the International Relations Study Program, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dewi Triwahyuni, S.IP., M.Si., the students, and all parties who contributed to the success of the activity.
Meanwhile, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dewi Triwahyuni, S.IP., M.Si., encouraged participants to view the simulation not merely as an academic activity, but also as an opportunity to gain firsthand experience of the complexity of decision-making processes in international politics and security. “The world is waiting for a decision. The war continues, the public is watching, governments are paying attention, and today you will play the role of decision-makers in the Security Council,” she explained.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dewi also explained that the Ukraine issue, which served as the theme of the simulation, provides a concrete illustration of the complexity of international security issues. “The situation in Ukraine reminds us of a fundamental truth in international relations: security is easy to talk about in theory, but very difficult to implement,” she said. She explained that when international conflicts occur, people often question why a war cannot be stopped immediately, why the Security Council does not quickly reach an agreement, or why diplomatic processes sometimes proceed slowly. Through this simulation, students are expected to understand that international politics cannot be viewed from a single perspective. “International politics is not just about choosing between right and wrong. It encompasses national interests, security, economic interests, international conditions, humanitarian considerations, geopolitical competition, and the distribution of power within the international system,” she emphasized.
Furthermore, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dewi emphasized that diplomacy requires the ability to understand one’s own interests while also understanding the perspectives of others. “That’s where diplomacy begins. You have to understand your own country’s position, but at the same time, you also have to understand why other countries might see the same situation differently,” she said. Finally, she expressed her hope that students would not only gain experience speaking in international forums, but also develop the ability to analyze complex issues, communicate across differences, negotiate, and find solutions when no perfect solution exists. “Being a student of international relations means more than just memorizing concepts and theories. It means learning how to analyze complexity, communicate across differences, negotiate, and find solutions in situations where perfect solutions may not exist,” she concluded.
Following the opening ceremony, the main agenda proceeded with the roll call and delegate introductions. Students represented various UN member states, dressed in formal attire and carrying out diplomatic roles appropriate to the countries they represented. The delegates represented Argentina, Belarus, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Colombia, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kenya, Latvia, Lithuania, Mexico, Netherlands, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Syria, Türkiye, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Ukraine, and United States. The simulation also included the roles of Chairperson, Co-Chairperson, and Secretary-General to establish a meeting mechanism that reflected an international forum.
The meeting then proceeded through several Committee Session stages, beginning with the Opening Committee Session, General Speaker List, Moderated Caucus, Unmoderated Caucus, and Closing Committee Session. During these sessions, delegates presented their countries’ perspectives and arguments, responded to other delegations, and engaged in negotiations to find common ground on the issues under discussion. This process is a crucial part of student learning because it combines classroom theory with diplomatic practice in a simulated setting. Students were required not only to understand the issues being discussed, but also to defend their countries’ positions, develop negotiation strategies, communicate with other delegations, and make decisions based on shared interests.
The next activity included testimonials from observers and an awards presentation for participants. Several award categories were presented, including Best Speech, Most Outstanding Delegate, Honorable Mention, Verbal Commendation, Best Position Paper, and Most Favorite Male and Female Delegates. These award categories recognized participants’ abilities and contributions throughout the simulation. The Best Speech award was given to delegates deemed capable of delivering informative speeches with an excellent command of language and substance, while the Most Outstanding Delegate award was given to participants who demonstrated outstanding ability, preparation, knowledge of the issues, and contributions during the session.
Meanwhile, the Honorable Mention and Verbal Commendation categories recognized participants’ diplomatic skills, active involvement, and contributions to the debate. The Best Position Paper award was presented to delegates who produced position papers containing ideas considered excellent, original, innovative, and reflective of diplomatic skills. The Most Favorite Male and Female Delegate awards were determined based on votes from observers using a form provided during the event. The entire simulation concluded with the presentation of awards and expressions of appreciation to the participants. Through this Short Diplomatic Course, the International Relations Study Program, FISIP UNIKOM, continues to encourage students to develop competencies relevant to the dynamics of international relations while preparing them for an increasingly interconnected global academic and professional environment. (Directorate of Hms & Pro)
