Virtual Swords to Ploughshares

Duke-developed simulation game looks to train a new generation of peacemakers

By Cara Bonnett

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

"Durham, NC -- 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.”