Unlock Europe – The Escape Game on Peace and Security in Europe
Become decision-makers on the future of Europe: escape game for young people
About the Escape Game
EU summit in Brussels: black limousines with flashing lights pull up. Germany's Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and all the other European heads of state and government get out of the limousines and hurry into the EU building amid a flurry of press attention. An important meeting of the European Council is about to take place: nothing less than the future of Europe is at stake. But a mishap occurs on the way to the meeting room: the lift breaks down and the politicians get stuck.
Luckily, a group of young people happens to be there, who actually just wanted to visit the EU command centre on their excursion to Brussels. The young adults quickly take the places of the politicians at the negotiating table and become decision-makers themselves. They have to set the course for peace and security in Europe: a reliable Europe-wide basic healthcare system, sustainable decisions for climate security, peaceful relations between the Member States, and regulations for dealing with hate speech and fake news on the internet. The documents in the meeting room are top secret and therefore encrypted. It is only by working together that all the hints can be found, information decrypted, and difficult decisions made. A race against time begins ...
Youth-oriented offer for political education
This is the scenario of the escape game “Unlock Europe”, jointly developed by the Bundeskanzler-Helmut-Schmidt-Stiftung (BKHS) and the Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy at the University of Hamburg (IFSH).
The game is a free offer for political education aimed at young people aged 15 and older. The players work in small groups to solve various challenges and tasks, which they then reflect on again. In doing so, they learn about the EU as a peace project, a community of shared values and a guarantor of security.
On the one hand, they experience how diverse the work and significance of the European community is and what principles and values it stands for. On the other hand, they learn that peace is more than just the absence of war, that living a safe and peaceful life is not only ensured by police or military, but also includes economic prosperity, the supply of vital goods, medical aid and an environment worth living in. And they learn how important it is to work together constructively, even when there are conflicting interests, to look for a common solution and to negotiate compromises.
![[Translate to English:] Ein runder Sitzungssaal mit einem runden Tisch in der Mitte und zahlreichen Stühlen. Der Teppich und die Decke sind mit bunten Quadraten übersäht.](/fileadmin/Aktuelles/Aktuelles_Veranstaltungen/Escape_Game_-_Unlock_Europe/2023_04_24_Kachel_Escape_Game__1_.png)
At a glance
“Unlock Europe” combines challenging puzzles with thematic knowledge and practical skills for democratic and peaceful coexistence. How can we promote peace and security in Europe? How can conflicts be dealt with constructively and compromises found?
These are the topics covered in detail:
- Security in trade and healthcare
- Climate security and the environment
- Diplomacy and border conflicts
- Democracy and digital security
Learning objectives:
- Learn about the challenges to peace and security in Europe in a playful way
- Understand the broader concept of peace and security: peace is more than the absence of war, and security is more than the defence of national borders
- Practice skills for democratic action, for example by strengthening teamwork, communication skills, ability to judge and make informed decisions
Target groups:
- Young people aged 15 and older in groups up to 30 persons
- School classes of all types from Year 10 onwards
- Students of relevant bachelor’s or master’s degree programs
- Other groups such as youth organizations, youth exchange, clubs and voluntary organizations
Implementation:
- A game session lasts a total of 90 minutes, including a short debriefing and reflection. In addition, approx. 30 minutes should be planned for setup and dismantling on site.
- No previous knowledge or technical requirements are necessary. “Unlock Europe” takes place live and on site.
- The escape game can be implemented flexibly at various locations such as the classroom, meeting room or the organization’s cafeteria. It is also possible to play “Unlock Europe” in the BKHS exhibition “Schmidt! Demokratie leben” in Hamburg city centre.
- On request and depending on capacities, game sessions in Hamburg and the surrounding area can be accompanied by our project team. If this is not possible, we will send the mobil suitcase version of the game.
- “Unlock Europe” is available free of charge.
Mobile suitcase version:
- The escape game is designed as a mobile suitcase version. All puzzles, props and materials fit into a suitcase that we can send to various locations.
- With the help of the manual, the game can be set up and implemented independently on site. All necessary materials for a smooth and fun game flow are provided.
- After the game has been played, the suitcase is sent back to Hamburg.
- Contact and booking
Interested in playing “Unlock Europe”? Reach out to the project team:
unlock-europe@helmut-schmidt.deDemand for our escape game is currently very high. Please contact us in good time so that we can plan ahead. Especially for enquiries that reach us from outside Hamburg, we need some lead time.
About the co-operation
Unlock Europe is a co-operation project of BKHS and IFSH.
It was funded by the ZEIT FOUNDATION BUCERIUS and designed, developed and didactically adapted in collaboration with Polyspektiv.
The Bundeskanzler-Helmut-Schmidt-Stiftung (BKHS) commemorates one of the most important 20th-century German statesmen. As a future-oriented think tank, it addresses issues that also interested Schmidt.
The Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy at the University of Hamburg (IFSH) researches the conditions of peace and security – globally, regionally and locally. The IFSH conducts its own independent research. It’s core funding is provided by the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg.
