Doha: Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) has made history by hosting the first-ever North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Allied Command Transformation (ACT) university crisis simulation in the Global South.
According to Qatar News Agency, this innovative event, led by student Ranneme Walid Abu-Hajar (GU-Q'27), positioned GU-Q as a trailblazer in global security education. By bringing NATO officials, security experts, and students together, the simulation provided a hands-on diplomatic experience that emphasized international cooperation in crisis response.
Ranneme conceived the initiative after attending the 2024 NATO Public Forum in Washington, DC, as part of her Rangel Summer Program, where she engaged with global leaders and youth from NATO's member states. Recognizing the absence of representation from NATO's partner nations, she saw an opportunity to bring NATO to GU-Q, a university with a highly diverse student body, many of whom hail from NATO partner nations.
"When I pitched the idea in August 2024, both NATO and GU-Q were enthusiastic about the prospect... Thanks to the support of key faculty and staff, I was able to turn my vision into a reality." The simulation allowed students to engage directly with NATO representatives, apply diplomatic theories from their coursework, and develop negotiation and decision-making skills. Participants assumed the roles of NATO ambassadors, navigating a high-stakes crisis while drafting resolutions under NATO experts' guidance.
Prominent NATO officials facilitated the simulation, including Dr. Vlasta Zekulich, Branch Head, Strategic Issues and Engagement, NATO ACT; Nora-Elise Beck, Head, NATO Office at the NATO-ICI Regional Centre; Luisa Fruetel, Staff Officer, Strategic Engagement and Academic and Youth Outreach; and Lt. Colonel Jaime Beneitez, Staff Officer, Strategic Engagement and Coordination.
The students enthusiastically shared how the exercise increased their knowledge of international diplomacy. For International Politics major Emilia Pacheco De Larrea (GU-Q '25), it offered a rare opportunity to engage with NATO. "As a citizen of a non-member state, this simulation provided insights into security challenges that could benefit my home country, Ecuador, and the broader Latin American region," she said. Syrian student Yasser Sakbani (SFS '26), who is studying International Economics, reflected: "This event strengthened my understanding of how trade, energy security, and geopolitical strategy influence global stability and economic policy."