Young Professionals in Foreign Policy upcoming events

Advisors Program 2026 (disabled) (March 31, 2026)

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 22:00:00 GMT

YPFP Brussels presents the newest edition of its Advisors Program 2026!

What?

This annual program pairs participants with experienced professionals in foreign policy and security policy, guiding them through the early stages and key steps of their careers. As an Advisee, you'll be matched with an Advisor whose expertise aligns with your career interests and goals. Over a span of seven months (excluding the summer break), you will have the chance to engage with professionals who have built successful careers in your field. Regular one-on-one sessions with your Advisor will help you map out your career path and create personalised strategies to tackle any challenges you face. Throughout the program, you will also participate in workshops and social events with your cohort. These activities will allow you to hone various skills, from traditional leadership abilities like public speaking, to out-of-the-box approaches such as intercultural communication and relationship building. Additionally, the social events will provide opportunities to form connections and friendships with other ambitious young professionals in Brussels.

The 2026 cohort will further expand the Alumni network. You will gain access to a broad community of talented leaders, creating a valuable resource for mutual support, collaboration, and connection beyond the Advisors Program.

Why?

The primary goal of the Advisors Program is to offer guidance and support to emerging young leaders and professionals in the fields of foreign and security policy. Brussels is home to numerous international organisations, boasting a range of career opportunities in both the public and private sectors. However, navigating this landscape can be difficult, and ambitious goals may sometimes feel unattainable. In this highly competitive job market, YPFP Brussels provides members with a rare opportunity to receive mentorship from distinguished professionals who are dedicated to helping them reach their aspirations.

Who?

The Advisors Program is open to all YPFP Brussels members who meet the following criteria and are eager to embrace new opportunities and take part in this exciting journey:

Be a YPFP Brussels member
Recent graduate with a degree in foreign affairs, security, or related fields
Young professional in your first position or stuck in a repetitive internship cycle
Young professional looking to switch careers, explore a new area of expertise, or gain deeper insights into your career path (< 2 years of professional experience, excluding internships)
Based in Brussels
Ready to commit to the full duration of the program

Not a member yet? No worries! Sign up here to take advantage of this and other membership perks.

The program requires an estimated commitment of 10-12 hours per month, including individual meetings (scheduled with your mentor) and workshops.

How?

To apply for the Advisors Program, simply upload your CV to the registration form and answer a few brief questions about your motivation, expectations, and goals (please note there is a limit of 250 characters per question!). The application deadline was extended to 8 March2026. Please be aware that spots are limited. All applications will be reviewed, and applicants will be notified of their success by early April. If you have any questions, feel free to email advisors.program@ypfp.org or reach out directly to Tanaz Farmani, Advisors Program Officer.

Interested in becoming an Advisor?

Are you interested in offering guidance and support to young and aspiring foreign and security policy professionals? For more information, please get in touch with advisors.program@ypfp.org.

Advisors Program 2026 (August 31, 2026)

Mon, 31 Aug 2026 22:00:00 GMT

YPFP Brussels is proud to launch the newest edition of its Advisors Program 2026!

What?

Under this program, participants will be paired with experienced professionals in the fields of foreign policy and security policy, and mentored through the beginning and next steps of their career. As an Advisee, you will be matched with an Advisor based on your interests and goals, and their relevant experience. Over the course of seven months, you will have the opportunity to learn from and interact with experienced professionals who have established themselves in your field of interest. You will have regular one-on-one meetings with your Advisor, who will help you define your path and develop tailor-made approaches to your career challenges. As part of the Program, you will also get to participate in several workshops and social events with your cohort. These will provide you with the chance to learn and practice a range of skills, from classical leadership, such as public speaking, to out-of-the-box approaches, including intercultural communication and relationship building. On top of this, social events will help you build connections and friendships with other like-minded and ambitious young professionals in Brussels!

The 2025 cohort continues expanding the pool of Alumni. As this pool expands in the future, you will benefit from a network and community of young and smart leaders – a pool of expertise and contacts to support one another beyond the framework of the Advisors Program.

Why?

The main aim of the Advisors Program is to provide orientation and support for young and aspiring foreign and security policy leaders and professionals. Brussels hosts a wide array of international organisations, with career opportunities within the public and private sectors alike. This can prove challenging to navigate, and high-reaching goals may often seem out of reach. In this very competitive job market, YPFP Brussels offers members a unique opportunity to be mentored by high-profile professionals ready to help them achieve their objectives.

Who?

The Advisors Program is open to all YPFP Brussels members that fulfill the criteria below and are ready to explore new opportunities and join this adventure!

Member of YPFP Brussels
Recent university graduate in foreign affairs, security, and related fields
Young professional in a first position or trapped in a repetitive internship cycle
Young professional wishing to change jobs and/or area of expertise, or seek a more profound understanding of their career path (< 2 years of professional experience, internships excluded)
Residing in Brussels
Willing to commit to the program for its overall duration

Not a member yet? No problem! Sign up here and benefit from this and other membership advantages.

The time commitment will be an estimated 10-12 hours per month including individual meetings (to be agreed with your mentor) and workshops.

How?

Apply for the Advisors Program by uploading your CV into the registration form, and answering a few short questions about your motivation, expectations and goals. The deadline for applying is 12 July 2026. Please note that places are limited. All applications will be screened and applicants will be informed whether they have been successful in early April. If you have any questions, please send a message to advisors.program@ypfp.org or directly contact Theresa Hartl, Deputy Director of Membership & Benefits.

Interested in becoming an Advisor?

Would you like to provide orientation and support for young and aspiring foreign and security policy leaders and professionals? You can send a message to advisors.program@ypfp.org for more information.

YPFP London Career Accelerator (October 21, 2026)

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT

NOTE: Applications have passed. This page is for processing payments.

Ticket price has been converted to USD.

The YPFP London Career Accelerator is a selective pilot programme designed to support early-career professionals entering foreign policy and international affairs.

Over the programme, you will engage with high-level speakers from diplomatic, academic, think tank, and private sector backgrounds. They will be covering a range of topics ranging from conflict to climate change to strategic communications.

The programme is London-based and includes masterclasses, institutional exposure, workshops, and a final showcase. Sessions will take place every week from 6.30pm onwards on a Wednesday or Thursday.

This is a pilot cohort, meaning participants will play a role in shaping the future of the programme.

YPFP London Accelerator Launch Reception (October 21, 2026)

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Brussels After Hours: Pizza, Pints & Foreign Policy (October 22, 2026)

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 16:30:00 GMT

Join us on 22 October at BBP Bailli for a special members-only social evening.

This is a great chance to meet fellow YPFP members, get to know the team behind the organisation, and enjoy a relaxed evening at one of Brussels’ iconic breweries.

We’ve got the essentials covered: pizza is on us, and so is your first beer.

This event is exclusively for YPFP members. Places are limited and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis, so make sure to secure your spot early.

Come for the pizza and pints, stay for the conversations and discover the YPFP community beyond the policy events.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Ilaria Magazzino, Deputy Managing Director at YPFP Brussels.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Defense Omnibus: Is Europe Ready? (October 28, 2026)

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Europe is putting defence and security higher on the agenda. But what does this shift mean in practice and what could a stronger focus on European defence mean for our societies and our future?

Join YPFP Brussels and QCEA for an open and honest conversation on Europe’s changing approach to defence, with a particular focus on the EU Defence Readiness Omnibus.

The discussion will explore why Europe is investing more in defence, what this means for European cooperation and the defence industry, and how increased defence spending and capacity could affect society and long-term peace and security.

Speakers:

Laetitia Sedou — EU Project Manager, European Network Against Arms Trade (ENAAT)
Teun Janssen — Accredited Policy Advisor to MEP Reinier van Lanschot, Volt

When registering, participants will be invited to submit a question they would like to see addressed during the discussion.

Refreshments will be provided. A networking reception will follow the panel.

For any questions please contact YuChen Ding, Security & Defence Officer at YPFP Brussels.

Sip & Learn: Global Health Diplomacy with the Royal Thai Embassy (November 03, 2026)

Tue, 03 Nov 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Join YPFP and the Royal Thai Embassy for a Sip & Learn November 3rd, 6-8:30pm exploring Thailand’s healthcare system, health policy, and its broader contributions to global health.

The discussion will feature Professor Mark Gregory Robson, Dr. Sutayut Osornprasop, and Minister-Counselor Thitidej Tularak.

Professor Robson brings more than three decades of collaboration with Thai academic and government institutions and has been recognized for his contributions to science and international research partnerships.

Dr. Osornprasop is a Senior Health Specialist at the World Bank, where he works on health-system strengthening, health security financing, nutrition, NCDs, health taxes, and universal health coverage across Asia and the Pacific.

Minister-Counselor Tularak leads higher education, science, research, and innovation affairs at the Royal Thai Embassy in Washington, DC, supporting Thailand’s international partnerships in science, technology, and education.

The discussion will explore Thailand as a Case Study in the Multidimensionality of Global Health Diplomacy.

The panel will be followed by a moderated Q&A and networking happy hour, providing participants an opportunity to engage directly with the speakers and connect with professionals working across global health, diplomacy, health policy, research, and international affairs.

We thank our partners at Pastries & Policy for their support on this event.

Sip & Learn: Global Health Diplomacy with Portugal - Health Diplomacy in the Lusophone World (November 10, 2026)

Tue, 10 Nov 2026 23:00:00 GMT

The Embassy of Portugal, together with the Young Professionals for Foreign Policy, cordially invite you to a Seminar

Health Diplomacy in the Lusophone World to discuss Global Health Cooperation between Portugal and the CPLP

This event seeks to foster high-level leadership in global health diplomacy, a shared goal of the Member States of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP). We are convening representatives of diplomatic missions, agencies, government officials, members of the U.S. Congress, congressional staff, and policymakers for an informal and collaborative discussion on how Portugal leverages the CPLP as a platform for advancing Global Health cooperation across Europe, Africa, South America, and Asia.

The meeting will offer insights into how countries are successfully using a shared language and partnerships to strengthen health systems, workforce development and pandemic preparedness across nine member states, particularly at the level of nutrition, food and nutrition security, in the dimension of National Health Systems of the CPLP’s Strategic Plan for Health Cooperation (PECs 23-27).

Wargame: The Price of Dignity: Ukraine 2014 (November 14, 2026)

Sat, 14 Nov 2026 05:00:00 GMT

A multiplayer geopolitical crisis wargame set during the dramatic opening months of the 2014 Ukraine crisis.

Ukraine is fractured. Russia is mobilizing. Separatist movements are spreading across eastern Ukraine. NATO is watching, and every decision risks pushing Europe closer to a war.

Players take on the roles of political leaders, military commanders, intelligence chiefs, diplomats, and regional power brokers. Rather than simply commanding armies, players must build coalitions, gather intelligence, manage escalation, negotiate with allies, and decide when, and whether, to use force.

The game features a Ukrainian team struggling to reign in nationalist elements and authoritarian impulses to regain control of the county, a Russia attempting to bring Ukraine back into the fold (or as much of it as it can), emerging Ukrainian separatist movements, and NATO members with their own interests and limits, attempting to prevent catastrophe in Ukraine. Military power is only one part of the equation: diplomatic pressure can unlock foreign forces, intelligence can expose, or conceal, your opponent and allied interests and goals, and seemingly minor actions can trigger uprisings, international intervention, or uncontrolled escalation. Above it all is the global information environment, which player actions (and inactions) may inform, change, or upend the narrative about what is happening in Ukraine.

Can Ukraine hold itself together? Can Russia achieve its objectives without provoking a wider conflict? Can NATO deter Russian aggression while keeping its members united? Or will a crisis that began in Crimea spiral into the largest war in Europe since WWII?

In this game, the most dangerous weapon may be the decision to escalate.

*****

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Wargame?

A wargame is an immersive role-playing simulation where participants step into the shoes of real historical figures and navigate the political, military, and diplomatic challenges of a given moment in history. Players work within teams to strategize, negotiate, and compete against one another to achieve their faction's goals. No prior experience is needed.

Space is limited. Please only RSVP if you are able to attend both days.

What will the daily agenda look like?

Doors will open around 9 AM and we'll start at 10 AM. We will likely conclude around 4-5 PM on day 1 and 2-3 PM on day 2.

Food and drink?

Coffee will be provided day 1. Water is available on site. Please bring or plan to buy lunch nearby. Refrigerators are available in the building.

Happy Hour

Join us for a happy hour after day 2 concludes. Details to come.

Save the Date: AU SIS & YPFP Research Symposium (April 09, 2027)

Fri, 09 Apr 2027 16:00:00 GMT

SAVE THE DATE:

Navigating New Terrains on a Contested Planet

The 2nd Annual AU SIS – YPFP Research Symposium

Register to mark your calendars and stay up to date for the return of our premier joint event hosted by American University’s School of International Service (SIS) and Young Professionals in Foreign Policy (YPFP).

Date: April 9, 2027
Time: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM ET
Venue: American University Founders Room, School of International Service (SIS) Building (4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20016)

About the Symposium

Building on the success of our inaugural gathering, the 2nd Annual Research Symposium serves as a platform for graduate students and early-career professionals to showcase research on the evolving global order. By highlighting work from the SIS graduate community and YPFP members on critical modern issues, we hope to bridge the gap between academia and policy making and connect emerging leaders with established experts and peers to foster meaningful dialogue and career-long professional relationships

Call for Proposals

We are currently inviting SIS graduate students and YPFP members to submit brief research proposals (up to 300 words) outlining topics they would like to present across two core tracks:

Track 1 — Contested Environments: Resources, Conflict, and Cooperation: Research examining resources, ecosystems, and the environment as drivers of conflict and cooperation in their own right.

Track 2 — Contested Landscapes: New Instruments and New Actors: research examining the changing instruments and actors of conflict and crisis — economic statecraft, digital and autonomous technologies, and non-state actors.

You can submit your application on the Symposium Landing Page on http://ypfp.org/ypfp-au-symposium

Application Deadline: January 15, 2027, at 11:59 PM ET.