Ethan Harris and Moses Kamanzi, current MPA graduate students, recently competed in the NASPAA multi-national academic competition.
Ethan and Moses traveled to Indiana University to compete in the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration Student Simulation Competition. Over 300 universities were invited to compete at 8 different regional sites around the world. The brightest minds studying public administration from across the world showed up to represent their universities.
The day-long event was very intense and brought together graduate students to analyze real-world problems and present their solutions to a panel of judges. Competitors were randomly assigned into groups and tasked with using a cutting edge computer simulation to produce a policy plan that would slow the earth’s warming to less than 2 degrees by the year 2100. The policy, along with reducing the earth’s warming, had to be politically feasible.
The simulation was created to emulate what it would have been like for leaders recently agreeing on climate change reduction. Each student was tasked with assuming the role of a stakeholder within the climate change debate. Ethan represented the view of the world’s large agriculture businesses, and Moses represented the political will of the general population. Within the teams, students worked out the best compromises and policies to get a workable plan to improve climate issues.
Moses’s team, Sustain-Ability, won first place in the region, and Ethan’s team, Climate Cleaners, placed second in the region! Way to go!
Shown are Moses's and Ethan's teams.
