Global Policy Lab

Responsibility to Protect Edition

Research — Simulate — Produce

The project

The Global Policy Lab is an initiative of SET Global Network aimed at providing students with a concrete opportunity to dive into the world of international policy and human rights.​

The purpose is to empower students and to engage directly with real-world issues by conducting research, simulating diplomatic negotiations and developing actionable policy proposals.

It is a hands-on experience to sharpen your critical thinking, understand how policymaking works, and build skills for your academic and professional future.

A group of people sitting at a long conference table with laptops and notebooks, participating in a meeting. A large screen displays a mirror image of the room. The room has wood-paneled walls with framed portraits.

First edition of the Global Policy Lab March 13 / May 15 2026

  • APPLICATION

    March 13-26

    Time period within which participants can apply to the Global Policy Lab, by registering via the Google form on the website.

  • TEAMS CREATION

    March 26-31

    The GPL team will divide the various participants into negotiation teams, which will be assigned the state they will represent.

  • RESEARCH

    April 1-18

    Each team will investigate a specific global/regional case, using freely available academic resources.

  • SIMULATION

    April 20-24

    Role-playing sessions to take on the roles of different diplomats , simulating real diplomatic negotiation and decision-making processes.

  • POLICY BRIEF WRITING

    April 25 - May 10

    Teams consolidate their research and simulation to draft concise, actionable policy proposals.

  • PRESENTATION

    May 15

    The final policy proposals are presented in an internal forum, followed by a reflective session that evaluate the process and outcomes.

What was done before GPL?

Responsibility to protect (R2P)

The Responsibility to Protect (R2P) is a global commitment to prevent genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity.

It’s built on a simple idea:
when a state fails to protect its people, the international community has a duty to act (through prevention, assistance, or, when necessary, collective measures).

An informative series breaking down what R2P really means, how it came to be and why it still matters

Graphic featuring Lady Justice holding scales and a sword with a green background. Text reads 'Responsibility to Protect (R2P) When the international community can should act.'
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Illustration of Lady Justice holding scales and a sword, with text overlay saying 'How does R2P work in practice? From principle to action'.
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Interested in the project?Get in touch with us!