On 27 February, the second day of the Eurasian Youth Forum hosted by RANEPA St.Petersburg, over 40 students in International Relations came together to play the roles of state and government leaders, international civil servants and business community representatives as participants the Eurasian Economic Union Model Game.

RANEPA St. Petersburg is an experienced organizer of international organization models, with a particular focus on the Eurasian region. The EAEU, which unites five states including Russia, is rightfully considered one of the most advanced regional integration associations worldwide, making it a perfect platform for educational modeling.

The event addressed two key areas related to the EAEU’s current agenda for 2026: artificial intelligence technologies and the development of the Union’s international activities.

The game allowed us to understand not only the Eurasian Union’s governance system itself, but also the informal aspects of communication between actors. Finding a common solution despite completely different interests is no easy task. It was necessary to constantly negotiate with other participants, find compromises, and even enter into informal alliances. At times, it was necessary to delve into EAEU law and the national practices of member states.

Andrey Agryzskov, a third-year student in International Relations

A simulated student press center created a particularly immersive atmosphere: young journalists covered the sessions, capturing key discussions and diplomatic nuances of the negotiations. The Model culminated in the adoption of important decisions: following a vote, several countries were granted observer status in the EAEU, and the Union’s leaders signed a joint statement on the artificial intelligence application.