International Forum for Peace, Security & Prosperity

The International Forum for Peace, Security & Prosperity (IFPSP), a federally registered “Not for Profit” corporation in Canada, was founded in 2019 with the mission to learn from our past, to educate and inform future generations of the history of peace in the world, and to bring a heightened level of reasoning to the discussion of what achieves, in this digital age, lasting peace, security and prosperity. 

Our Vision

Social, economic, cultural and technological prosperity can only be built on the basis of peace and security for all.

Peace and security relies on the capacity to apply force to ensure justice, while safeguarding democracy and freedom.

Our Mission

To bring together leaders, policy-makers, researchers, students, and the public, through conferences, online events, and interactive publications. 

By involving representatives from the justice system, public order and the profession of arms, we collaboratively explore the role of the military, institutions of public order, and justice, in establishing the basis for a flourishing global community based on peace and prosperity.

Our Approach

The founding concept is, without justice, there can be no peace; without security, there can be no justice. Only when justice and security enable freedom, can sustainable peace support the development of a society and its ultimate prosperity.

4th International Forum Palermo Sicily - March 2024

Tentative Schedule 2025

“Human Security in a VUCA (VOLATILE, UNCERTAIN, COMPLEX, AMBIGUOUS) World: Navigating Challenges, Building Resilience”

In an era characterized by rapid geopolitical shifts, socio-economic disparities, and evolving security threats, the concept of human security has emerged as a paramount concern for global stability and well-being. The “Human Security in a VUCA World” conference aims to explore the multifaceted dimensions of human security in today’s volatile landscape, addressing pressing issues such as armed conflicts, terrorism, climate change, pandemics, and technological disruptions in the interests of establishing a durable and lasting peace.

Pre-Forum Assignment:

A written brief on the Forum theme and panels (like the one below) with an open request for Poster presentations. The poster activity is described as a Forum opener.

Pre-Forum Communication:

A video consisting of an introduction to the IFPSP mission and activities featuring past Officer Cadets (OCs) describes the events and highlights various activities. The themes are reviewed. The need for youth outreach is described and the participants are asked to view and score the high school entries. Winners will be announced at the VIP Lunch on day 3.

PROGRAM (Draft Dated on 17 December 2024)

Day 1 – 16 March 2025

1800      Rendez-vous Piazza Indipendenza

1900      Welcome Cocktail Reception (TBD)

2200      End of Day 1

 

Day 2 – 17 March 2025

0800      Walk for Remembrance and Peace – Wreath Laying Ceremony

0930     Officer Cadets / Students Academic Poster Exhibition & judging

1130     Lunch

1350      Opening of the Forum – Panel 1 & Winning Posters – 1 of 2

               Theme of Panel 1: “Hybrid Warfare: New Threats and Complexities in Human Security 

·        Hybrid warfare represents a fusion of conventional, irregular, and cyber warfare strategies, often supplemented by information warfare and economic pressure. This multifaceted approach aims to exploit the vulnerabilities of states and non-state actors, creating complex challenges for human security. The evolution of hybrid warfare has introduced new threats and necessitates understanding its impact on human security.

·        Chairperson: Prof. Gerri Matthews-Smith, Edinburgh Napier University

·        Panelists: TBC

1730     End of Day 2

 

Day 3 – 18 March 2025

0830      Interactive Activity – Resilience and Leadership

1130     Lunch

1400     Forum –  Panel 2 & Winning Posters presentation – 2 of 2 (streaming)

               Theme of Panel 2: “Protecting Innocence: Children at War: A Human Security Perspective”

·        The panel meets to explore the multiple challenges children living in conflict zones face, highlighting human security’s critical importance in safeguarding their well-being. While conflict persists around the world, children are disproportionately affected, suffering physical harm, psychological trauma, and disruptions to their education and development. The discussion delves into strategies to improve protection mechanisms and promote resilience among children in conflict-affected areas.

·        Chairperson: Prof. Alexandre Pelletier, Université Laval (TBC)

·        Panelist: Dr. Shelly Whitman, The Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace and Security

·        Panelists: TBC

 

1730      End of Day 3

 

Day 4 – 19 March 2025

0830     Interactive Activity – UN Simulation Exercise

1100     (VIP day) Presentation by the Italian Chief Prosecutor

1200     VIP Lunch

1500     Forum –  Panel 3 (streaming)

               Theme of Panel 3: “Evolving approaches to human security”

·        Evolving approaches to addressing human security challenges involve adapting strategies, policies, and interventions to respond effectively to changing global challenges. These include trends such as holistic and integrated approaches, as well as the safety of human centers. These responses include multilateral organizations, alliances, and diplomatic efforts crucial in addressing transnational threats that impact human security, using human rights-focused approaches and considering aspects such as environmental sustainability. These evolving approaches reflect a broader recognition that security goes beyond the absence of military threats and encompasses a range of factors that impact the well-being and dignity of individuals and communities. Adapting to these changes requires military and civilian organizations to be flexible, collaborate, and understand contemporary security challenges’ complex and interconnected nature.

·        Chairperson: TBC

·        Panelist: Ciro Sbailò, Full Professor of Comparative Public Law, TBC

·        Panelist: Marco Romano, Associate Professor of Computer Science,TBC

·        Panelist: Sanja Vlahovic,  Associate Professor in Economics, former Ambassador of Montenegro to the Italian Republic and Permanent Representative to the United Nations organizations in Rome, Representative to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, TBC

·        Panelist:  Alfio Rapisarda, ENI Security Officer, TBC

·        Panelist:  Vincenzo Camporini, former Chief of Staff of the Italian Air Force and Defence

1630      Forum Closing Ceremonies

 

Thank you to Our 2024 Partners and Sponsors

2024 Participating Academies & Universities

Contest Winners 2024

International Forum for Peace, Security & Prosperity - 2024

The first virtual forum for students from

Saint-Jean-Eudes high school in Quebec City

On the afternoon of April 12, 30 students from grades 10 to 12 gathered in our school library to take part in the inter-regional virtual forum entitled Peace, Security & Prosperity, Youth Meeting 2024, a reflection on the principles of Positive Peace and the eight pillars that support it. 

Mr. Richard Giguère, a retired general in the Canadian Armed Forces who teaches at the Université Laval’s École supérieure d’études internationales, and eight of his graduate students in political science and international relations, respectively, gave the opening address and moderated the discussion groups. We’d like to extend our warmest thanks to them for sharing this wonderful experience with us. Congratulations to all our students for preparing so well for this event and for their dynamism during the exchanges!

Also, Colonel Marc Grondin (ret.) and Mr. Steve Gregory, both from the International Forum for Peace, Security and Prosperity, came to our school to present Grade 12 student Hedi Manai with the prize he recently won for 3rd place in the “essay” category of the IFPSP competition. On March 20, Hedi presented his essay online at the third panel of the fourth edition of the IFPSP, held in Palermo, Sicily.

In Saint-Jean-Eudes, the virtual forum held on April 12 was the culmination of the first phase of a more global project that should continue until 2025-2026, allowing us to mark the 250th anniversary of the American invasion of the Province of Quebec in 1775-1776, 15 years after the British Conquest of 1760. Since last fall, the other stages of this first phase have been as follows:

  • Conference by Mr. François Fournier on his work for the UN in Haiti, to mark the International Day of Peace in September;
  • A lecture by Colonel Marc Grondin (ret.) to mark Remembrance Day in November; 
  • Three of our 12th grade students took part in the IFPSP student competition.

And last December, another lecture was added to this series of planned activities: a lecture given by Mr. Jean-René Beauchemin, a former student of Saint-Jean-Eudes, about his work in Africa for the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Many thanks to Mr. Richard Giguère’s team, the SJE management team and the IFPSP organizers for making these events possible throughout the current school year.

Michel Arsenault,

History and Spanish teacher

École secondaire Saint-Jean-Eudes

International Forum for Peace, Security & Prosperity - 2023

International Forum for Peace, Security & Prosperity - 2022