Poster Competition

International Forum for Peace, Security & Prosperity 2025 – Poster Competition

The International Forum for Peace, Security & Prosperity 2025 will include a poster competition to showcase student research regarding the conference theme. Human security has emerged as a critical concern for global stability and well-being in an era characterized by rapid geopolitical changes, socioeconomic disparities, and ever-changing security threats. The Forum theme

“Human Security in a VUCA World” explores the multiple dimensions of human security in today’s volatile landscape, addressing pressing issues such as armed conflict, terrorism, climate change, pandemics, and technological disruptions to establish lasting peace. The poster competition is designed to allow students to consider the broader issues of the topic or to explore one of the three main topic areas: (1) hybrid warfare, (2) children and war or (3) human security approaches.

National contingents of 25 and under can display one (1) poster. At the same time, national contingents of 26 and over will have the chance to showcase two (2) posters. The posters chosen by the national contingents will be displayed at the International Forum for Peace, Security & Prosperity 2025 and voted upon by the participants. The poster’s designer will be present during the display period to answer any questions regarding the poster.

Posters will be collected and registered at Falcone Borsellino Airport, Palmero. Upon arrival in Sicily, this will occur at the International Forum for Peace, Security & Prosperity Welcome Desk. Before arrival, an electronic file with a copy of the poster and the originator’s details should be sent to TBC by 5 March 2025. Competitors should also bring copies of this electronic file with them. The electronic file should be a .pdf or a .jpg of printable quality. These images will be put on the website and used for PowerPoint displays.

On the first day of the conference, an international panel will judge the posters. The selected poster contributors will be expected to give a five to ten-minute public presentation on their research to the International Forum for Peace, Security & Prosperity.

Guidelines and suggestions are below:

Creating an effective academic poster for the International Forum for Peace, Security & Prosperity involves organizing your research visually appealingly to communicate your key findings. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Plan Your Poster Content

  • Title: Create a concise, engaging title that captures the essence of your research. Keep it to around 10-15 words.
  • Authors and Affiliations: List all contributors and their institutional affiliations.
  • Abstract (optional): Include a brief overview of the study.
  • Introduction: Clearly state the research question, objectives, and relevance. Keep it brief, focusing on why the research matters.
  • Methods: Define your methodology using diagrams, flowcharts, or bullet points. Focus on the essentials to avoid overwhelming the audience.
  • Results: Present the key findings using visuals such as graphs, charts, tables, and images. Make these easy to interpret at a glance.
  • Discussion: Summarize the significance of your results, compare with past research, and suggest implications or future work.
  • Conclusion: Provide a concise statement of your main findings and their importance.
  • References: Include key references in a small font, if needed.
  • Acknowledgments: Briefly thank funding sources or collaborators.

2. Design Principles

  • Layout: Most posters follow a column format (2-4 columns) to naturally guide the viewer’s eye. Arrange the content in sections from left to right, starting with the introduction and ending with the conclusion.
  • Font: Use a simple, sans-serif font (e.g., Arial, Helvetica). Keep the text large enough to read from a distance:
    • Title: 72-120 pt
    • Headings: 36-48 pt
    • Body Text: 24-32 pt
  • Color Scheme: Use a colour scheme that is visually appealing but not overwhelming. Avoid overly bright colours. Use contrasting colours for text and background to ensure readability.
  • Whitespace: Don’t overcrowd your poster. Adequate whitespace helps improve readability and visual appeal.


3. Use Visuals Effectively

  • Graphs/Charts: Present quantitative data clearly using bar graphs, line charts, and pie charts. Label axes and provide legends when necessary.
  • Images/Diagrams: Include high-quality images, illustrations, or diagrams relevant to your study. Ensure images have high resolution to avoid pixelation when printed.
  • Tables: If tables are included, keep them simple and easy to read. Use bold headers to differentiate columns from rows.

4. Use Concise Language

  • Avoid long paragraphs. Use bullet points and short sentences to convey your points succinctly.
  • Focus on the essentials of your research. The poster is a summary, not the entirety of the research.

5. Software for Poster Creation

  • Use software like Microsoft PowerPoint, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, or Canva to design the poster.
  • Most conferences recommend a size of 36 x 48 inches (91 x 122 cm) or A1. The International Forum for Peace, Security & Prosperity requirement conforms to this size. Posters can be oriented either in portrait or landscape.

6. Proofread and Review

  • Check for grammar and spelling errors. Have colleagues review your poster for clarity and accuracy.
  • Ensure all visuals (charts, graphs, images) have proper captions and labels.

7. Print and Transport

  • Print on a high-quality printer or use a professional printing service. Choose a matte finish to avoid glare.
  • Roll the poster into a tube for easy transport to the conference.

Following these steps, you can create a compelling and visually appealing academic poster communicating your research at the International Forum for Peace, Security & Prosperity.

Some useful links are below:

Website: https://guides.library.utoronto.ca/utsc-posters
Youtube video: https://youtu.be/5TBs2SL6LLc

Colonel (Dr.) Howard G. Coombs, at howard.coombs@rmc.ca, is a member of the Academic Committee responsible for the poster competition. He can be contacted with questions regarding the poster competition.