University of Maryland, ICONS Project

The International Communications and Negotiation Simulation (ICONS) Project, the University of Maryland's program of internet-based simulations of international negotiations, has for more than 20 years worked to engage students in the United States and around the world in active learning about international relations and foreign policy.

Since the early 1980s, students from hundreds of high schools have participated in online simulations of multilateral negotiations of global issues. Using its customized computer software, ICONS enables a diverse collection of students in many locations to interact with one another as they attempt to solve vexing international problems as part of their coursework in classes on government, world history, and global cultures. In the process, they gain valuable knowledge about other regions of the world, as well as skills in analysis, problem solving, communication, and collaboration.

Evaluations reveal in participants a deeper understanding of global issues, more skill in cross-cultural communication, and broader acceptance of the validity of perspectives other than their own. In sum, ICONS helps U.S. students become more alert to international issues, and better able to form their own views and take action.

The ICONS Project includes political scientists and software development specialists, who work closely with teachers and staff education experts to develop exercises that are substantively rich as well as accessible for students and teachers alike.

In 2005 the ICONS project collaborated with Choices for the 21st Century at Brown University to provide an online foreign policy summit for students involved in the Capitol Forum for America's Future program.

The American Council of Education and AT&T Foundation recognized the ICONS Project’s contributions to international education with their “Technology as a Tool for Internationalization” award.