Serious Game: State Response Systems in Crises

The ongoing refugee crisis caused by the war against Ukraine continues to challenge states and societies across Eastern, Central, and Western Europe – especially when it comes to protecting and integrating the most vulnerable: children. To strengthen preparedness for future refugee movements, the Bureau fuer Zeitgeschehen (BfZ) partnered with SchrammUnternehmensberatung GmbH to support UNICEF and Romania’s Civil Protection Unit (DSU) in developing a high-complexity simulation exercise (Serious Game). Based on three detailed refugee and disaster scenarios, and powered by a mass data-driven model simulating national infrastructure capacities (border control, accommodation, education, healthcare), more than 60 Romanian and international experts tested crisis response plans. These included professionals from the Prime Minister’s Office, key ministries, local governments, and specialized agencies. The realism of the 3-day simulation was heightened by lifelike “Breaking News” segments, offering an immersive, highly-realistic environment.