As someone who is passionate about foreign policy and international relations, I’m always looking for ways to engage others in conversations about these topics. One fun and interactive way to do this is by using Foreign Policy-themed “This or That” icebreaker questions. By asking questions that relate to current events, global issues, and cultural differences, you can create a dynamic and engaging atmosphere at your next event.
How to incorporate Foreign Policy themed This or That questions
To incorporate Foreign Policy-themed “This or That” questions into your upcoming event, follow these steps:
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Prepare a list of questions beforehand that relate to foreign policy issues, international relations, and cultural differences. You can find inspiration from reading news articles, watching documentaries, or browsing online forums and blogs.
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Print out the questions on cards or display them on a screen or a poster board. Encourage your guests to form small groups of 3-5 people and take turns asking each other the questions. You can also create a rotation system where each group moves on to the next question after a set amount of time (e.g., 2-3 minutes).
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Make sure everyone has a chance to answer each question and listen actively to their responses. Encourage follow-up questions, comments, and discussions that build on the initial answers. You can also share your own insights and opinions about foreign policy to keep the conversation flowing.
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After everyone has had a chance to answer all the questions, gather your guests in a larger group and ask them to share their favorite or most surprising answers. You can also use this opportunity to highlight any commonalities or connections that emerged during the activity.
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Consider using some of the insights or stories that came up during the “This or That” icebreaker as a springboard for further conversations and activities throughout the day. For example, you could organize a panel discussion on a current foreign policy issue or create a trivia game based on global affairs.
Ideas on different themes of questions
To keep your Foreign Policy-themed icebreaker questions fresh and engaging, you can explore different themes and categories that are relevant to the topic. Here are some ideas:
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Current events: Ask questions about recent news stories, trends, or developments in international relations (e.g., “Which current event do you think will have the biggest impact on global affairs?” or “What is your opinion on the latest summit between world leaders?”).
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Global issues: Ask questions about pressing global challenges, such as climate change, poverty, and inequality (e.g., “What do you think is the most important issue facing the world today?” or “How can we address the root causes of global conflicts?”).
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Cultural differences: Ask questions that highlight different cultural practices, values, and traditions around the world (e.g., “What is your favorite cultural tradition from another country?” or “What have you learned from interacting with people from other cultures?”).
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International organizations: Ask questions about international institutions, such as the United Nations, World Bank, or International Monetary Fund (e.g., “How effective are international organizations in addressing global challenges?” or “What reforms do you think are needed to improve the work of international organizations?”).
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Diplomacy and negotiation: Ask questions that explore the role of diplomacy and negotiation in resolving conflicts and building partnerships (e.g., “What is your favorite example of successful diplomacy in history?” or “How can we improve the art of negotiation to achieve better outcomes for all parties involved?”).
By incorporating these different themes of questions into your Foreign Policy-themed icebreaker activity, you can create a dynamic and thought-provoking atmosphere at your next event. So why not give it a try and see how it can enhance your discussions on global affairs!
My favorite Foreign Policy themed This or That questions
- Isolationism or interventionism?
- Unilateralism or multilateralism?
- Free trade or protectionism?
- NATO or non-aligned?
- Hard power or soft power?
- Sanctions or diplomacy?
- Military aid or economic aid?
- American exceptionalism or global partnership?
- Regime change or regime stability?
- International law or national interest?
- Prevention or intervention?
- Security cooperation or security competition?
- Bilateralism or regionalism?
- Strategic patience or pressure?
- Military presence or military withdrawal?
- Hegemony or balance of power?
- Alliance building or neutrality?
- Conservative realism or liberal interventionism?
- Humanitarian intervention or non-interference?
- Cooperation or confrontation?
- Soft balancing or hard balancing?
- Offensive realism or defensive realism?
- Pacifism or militarism?
- Peacekeeping or peace enforcement?
- Great power rivalry or great power cooperation?
- Preemption or retaliation?
- Nonproliferation or disarmament?
- National security strategy or foreign policy doctrine?
- Military surge or diplomatic surge?
- Containment or engagement?
About the author
Jon Zajac
Founder & Chief Icebreaker
I started Icebreaker Spot because I truly believe that strong connections are the foundation of successful teams. I wanted to create a platform that would make it easy for people to find and share icebreakers and team building activities, empowering them to build trust, foster collaboration, and ultimately, achieve greatness together.