History Comes to Life: Baikal School of BRICS Students Recreate the 1945 Yalta Conference

From March 16 to 30, the Baikal School of BRICS at Irkutsk National Research Technical University (INRTU) hosted a series of educational role-playing games titled “Model Yalta Conference”. During the events, first-year students recreated the work of the summit held between the USSR, the United States, and Great Britain in February 1945.

Participants acted as official representatives of the three powers of the Anti-Hitler Coalition. They engaged in intense negotiations, developed political proposals for the post-war world order, and sought solutions to the complex problems facing the international community at that time.

As the organizers emphasized, the game pursued important educational goals: fostering a deep understanding of historical and international processes, as well as developing skills in persuasion, argumentation, public speaking, and teamwork. The students were tasked not only with studying the materials of the Yalta Conference, but with “living through” it, striving to set aside modern stereotypes and see the world through the eyes of the people of that era. Amid the intensity of diplomatic battles, the student delegates observed differences in the three powers’ visions for the future of the world, but they also identified common ground and shared goals.

Student Namsalma Zhambalova noted that she had gained “an unexpected and highly enlightening experience”.

“I had the opportunity to try my hand as the chairperson of the conference. Despite the challenging preparation, the chance to take on that role and imagine that you are deciding matters of world peace left a unique impression!”

the first-year student said.

According to Lubov Mordovina, the role-playing game provided an opportunity to experience history from within, rather than speaking about it as an outside observer:

“Understanding the motivation of each delegation in the negotiations required a deep analysis of the situation. I chose the role of Franklin Delano Roosevelt for myself because I am drawn to his commitment to compromise, his degree of political optimism, and his decisive, innovative approach. As a history enthusiast, the game left a profoundly positive impression on me”.

The role of the U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt was also played by student Rostislav Konopelko:

“Immersing yourself in the persona of another person feels like something truly real and memorable”.

The British delegation was “headed” by first-year student Ludmila Sundukova.

“It was unusual to put myself in the shoes of a representative from another country, to analyze his position and decisions, and to discuss post-war issues with the other participants. Thanks to the organizers for the opportunity to immerse myself in history,”

the student shared her impressions

The organizers believe the first-year students succeeded in their responsible mission:

“History is a living process that can only be understood by immersing in it. And our students did so brilliantly!”