A special gift from the Class of 1972

CLASS OF 1972 GIFTS WORLD PEACE GAME

Geo-Political simulation game brings real-world experience to students

by MELISSA CURTIS, Director of Auxiliary Programs

When the Class of 1972 began brainstorming the gift they would give to Hockaday in celebration of their 50th Reunion, little did they know the impact and reach their gift would have. Constance Melrose ’72 shared that in a class Zoom call in 2021, classmate Catharine Baldwin ’72 introduced the idea of a student experience called the World Peace Game, of which Catharine is an experienced facilitator. Interests were piqued, and the conversation evolved into the question – why not at Hockaday? The idea of the World Peace Game as the class gift became a reality, an idea that united the class in enthusiasm to give back in the realm of life skills and knowledge. “Making the World Peace Game our 50th Reunion gift united the class in enthusiasm to give back in the realm of life skills and knowledge,” said Christie Kelton Leach ’72.

The World Peace Game, invented by master teacher John Hunter, is a geo-political simulation fully engages students’ minds and hearts as 25 to 35 student participants are chosen for various leadership positions across four simulated countries with real issues. The game also includes international organizations such as the World Bank, the United Nations, the Legal Counsel, and the Arms Dealers. A Weather Entity determines the outcomes of random events such as hurricanes and stock market fluctuations. There is even a Saboteur, a student who plays two roles, one of which is to secretly undermine all efforts to win the game. All participants explore the interconnection of the global community through the lens of 50 interlocking economic, social, and environmental crises that exist in outer space, air space, ground and sea, all under the threat of imminent war.

If you were to observe the World Peace Game in action, you would see the students sorting through chaos, handling failure, and looking within themselves to decide what course of action to take as they consider three basic questions: can they afford the cost of the actions they choose; can they accept the consequences of the decisions they make; do their actions make sense. The game is won when all crises are solved, and each country has increased its initial net asset value. “It’s harrowing to watch, but every time the game is played, the students’ own wisdom, creativity, and compassion emerge and save the planet,” said Robin Moyle, Executive Director of the World Peace Game Foundation.

The summer World Peace Games were the beginning of a continued partnership with the World Peace Game Foundation and Hockaday that will continue to include summer camps, adoption into the Hockaday curriculum, and using Hockaday as a training site for future World Peace Game facilitators. Middle School faculty member Renee Laffitte and Dean of Studies Barbara Fishel participated in the master class and will be bringing the World Peace Game to Middle School students this winter.

“This gift was timely, it was student-centered, and it has longevity,” said Melissa Curtis, Director of Auxiliary Programs. “The generous gift from the Class of 1972 will continue to provide Hockaday students, Summer at Hockaday participants, and educators this experience for many years to come.”

“In a world that seems increasingly fragmented, tools for addressing today’s and tomorrow’s challenges, such as communication and collaboration, are deeply needed,” said Constance Melrose ’72.

Perhaps the best reflection from student participants was, “I learned that if you get a different point of view, you might be able to solve the problem better; peace is always possible; actions have consequences; and never, ever give up!”

The Class of 1972 would like to thank Hockaday staff member Victor Torres for his craftsmanship and time in constructing a beautiful World Peace Game structure (pictured above).