International Student Essay and Video Contest

OUR MISSION

IFPSP’s mission is to honor the dead, to learn from our past, to educate and inform future generations, and to explore, analyze the path forward to achieve lasting peace, security and prosperity.

IFPSP is designed as an annual international event that brings together high school and cadet military school students, accompanied by academics, military professionals and peacemakers, as well as members of institutions, policymakers, and business and community leaders, to explore positive peace, the only condition for peaceful societies to thrive.

THE STUDENT COMPETITION

Download the Contest Rules Here

Who is it for?
The essay and video competition is open to students who are currently enrolled in grades 10 to 12 or equivalent (III, IV and V above), from all NATO and EU member countries, as well as from Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Israel, the Philippines, South Africa and any other country that enjoys a Western-style liberal constitutional democracy as a form of government.

Essay Topics / Video

The theme of this year’s Forum is “Human Security in a VUCA (VOLATILE, UNCERTAIN, COMPLEX, AMBIGUOUS) World: Addressing Challenges, Building Resilience”

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.

Topic 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. What countermeasures and/or solutions could be considered on the Hybrid Warfare battlefield?

Topic 2: “Protecting Innocence: Children at War – A Human Security Perspective”
This topic seeks 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. What strategies or actions exist or are needed to improve protection mechanisms and promote resilience among children in conflict-affected areas?

Topic 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. What courses of action should be considered?

Contest Dates

The deadline for essay and video submissions is Friday February 14, 2025, at 23:59 hours EST. No submission will be considered if received after this date and time.
Finalists will be announced by Friday March 07, 2025. Winners will be announced during the Forum in Palermo, which is being held from March 16 – 20, 2025.

Contest Requirements

Essays or videos can be produced in English, French or Italian. Specifically for the essay, it can also be written in the participant’s native language, provided that an approved translated copy in English, French or Italian accompanies the presentation. If an essay submitted in a language other than the official languages of the competition is selected as a finalist, the PSIFF submission must be made in English. Videos must not be submitted in a language other than the three official languages of the Forum.

• The word count of the essay should be between 750 and 1,500. Texts must be saved as MSWord files and as PDF documents.
• Videos must be no less than two (2) minutes and no longer than three (3) minutes. Videos must be sent in MP4 format.
• Essays or videos must not have been published or considered for publication or have already been transmitted.
• Students must write the essay or produce the video themselves, without outside help.
• Each student can only submit one essay or video. Students cannot compete simultaneously in both categories.
• Students can participate individually or in groups. If you are a finalist, no more than 3 representatives must be selected for the presentation or to win the prize.
• Essays must be accompanied by a cover and a signed statement from the Superintendent based on the examples found in the detailed rules published on the PSP website.
• Videos must also have a similar signed statement.
• The PSP Forum will evaluate applications from each of the participating high schools and select the finalists, who will have a place in the fourth (4th) scheduled panel of the Forum, where they will virtually present their essay (supported by a multimedia presentation .ppt) or video to an international audience worldwide. The selected winners of the competition will receive certificates as part of the Forum.

In addition, these best essays, and videos, as well as those subject to merit review, will be published by the PSP Forum in a brochure and/or on online platforms with the names of their respective authors. The PSP Forum reserves the right to determine which essays and videos will be published.

Other provisions

• The submission of an essay or video and/or participation in the organization of the competition/jury implies acceptance of the conditions of the competition.
• The results of the competition cannot be appealed. The jury’s decisions will be final.
• The PSP Forum will preserve all essays and videos submitted by interested schools.
• The PSP Forum will retain copyright in the winning essays and videos and may publish them.
• The PSP Forum may change the timing of essay and video submissions and the selection process.
• The PSP Forum assumes no responsibility for any changes or cancellations to the contest.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Steve Gregory 514-919-5858 or Steve@isaix.com www.psp-forum.org
John Hannan 514-945-5810 or johnmacehannan@outlook.com