A Red Thread Through a Learning Labyrinth: A Cumulative Simulation for Peace Mediation

According to Greek mythology, King Theseus found his way out of the Minotaur‘s labyrinth by following a red thread. Learning peace mediation – a multidisciplinary field with roots in both academia and practice – often requires creating unconventional connections or navigating a learning “labyrinth.” This study presents a successful case of a peace mediation exercise consisting of a series of Experiential Learning Activities ( ela s) spread out over a two-year program including a culminating integrative – multi-day, multi-party, immersive and coached – mediation simulation. Through this exercise, we showcase the advantages of cumulative ela s guiding learners from the first to the last day of an educational program; the effectiveness of balancing high degrees of realism with strong pedagogical support structures; and the unique attributes of a peace mediation exercise, as compared with its non-peace related equivalent. We thereby also exemplify the potential for “resurrection” of simulations in negotiation and mediation education.