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.

Coffee Chat: Triss Yapp (June 20, 2026)

Sat, 20 Jun 2026 16:00:00 GMT

The goal of these Coffee Chats will be to show the different paths and careers that exist in the field of international relations. Each chat will feature a different guest who will share their experience and advice for people who are interested in a particular career path. June's Coffee Chat is open to both members and non-members.

This month's guest is Triss Yapp. Triss (she/her) is a Multidisciplinary Designer with a deep focus on a human-centered approach to accessibility and co-design in social justice and on ensuring that design solutions are always with the environment in mind. She specializes in graphics and typographical layout, digital media, and documentary film. Triss has supported NGOs and INGos such as the Peacemakers Network, Religions for Peace, Global Network of Women Peacebuilders, Women, Peace and Security – Canada, and UN institutions such as the Office of Genocide and UNAOC, focusing on graphics and multimedia communications to amplify campaign reach. A graduate of George Mason University with a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design and Design Thinking, Triss leverages her academic foundation and partnerships to integrate design thinking practices into every project. Her passion for storytelling is rooted in active listening – believing that the best solutions come from stories of understanding others' unique experiences and perspectives. Through collaboration, Triss strives to push the boundaries of design, with a mission to build a more introspective, inclusive, and innovative future.

A Zoom invite will be sent out the day before the event.

Food Security & Global Health: A Conversation with Youth Leaders (June 23, 2026)

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 22:00:00 GMT

In preparation for the Y20 Summit, join us for a virtual conversation on the future of food security and global health with youth leaders who are shaping policy on the world stage.

Jieru Shi is Co-Chair of the Global Health and Food Security Track at the 2026 U.S. Y20. A joint MBA/MPA student at Wharton and Harvard Kennedy School, she previously served as the U.S. delegate for the 2024 Y20 in Brazil and currently represents North America on the World Food Forum Youth Policy Board.

Andres Pulido is Co-Chair of the Global Health and Food Security Track at the 2026 U.S. Y20. Based in New York City, he was the first-ever U.S. delegate on food security to ASEAN+, has published research on COVID-19's impact on food security, and has completed fellowships with USAID, USTR, and the Geneva Graduate Institute.

Rehman Hassan, youth leader for Act 4 Food, is a global health and human rights advocate who works with United Nations agencies and governments to advance health equity, youth engagement, and sustainable development. He has contributed to major global initiatives, including the World Health Organization's Global Forum for Adolescents' Digital Experience and President Biden's Artificial Intelligence in Global Development Playbook. Rehman has advised organizations including the World Health Organization, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations Women, and the European Union, and has been recognized with the Diana Humanitarian Award and President Biden's Lifetime Achievement Award.

This discussion will explore:

- Youth-led policy priorities and advocacy strategies

- Ongoing multilateral negotiations and global governance

- Emerging challenges in global food security and nutrition

- Food system resilience and sustainability

- The critical links between climate resilience and public health systems

About the Y20 Summit

Y20 convenes young professionals from G20 countries to advance democracy, prosperity, and multilateral partnerships, hosted by YPFP and Globally in Washington, DC from August 10–14, 2026. The G20 is a group of the world's 20 largest economies, including the United States, China, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Brazil, India, Japan, Canada, and Australia, among others. Interested in attending? Visit www.y20summit.org

Y20 Digital Transformation (June 24, 2026)

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT

SF and NYC YPFP are hosting a 45-minute virtual panel discussion exploring the latest trends in innovation and digital transformation. This conversation will bring together thought leaders and practitioners to share insights on how organizations are navigating technological change, adopting emerging tools, and building more adaptive, future-ready operations — and what that means for young professionals and the broader shifts we can expect to see across society. The session is designed to spark meaningful dialogue and offer practical perspectives for those working at the intersection of policy, technology, and strategy.

Book Talk with Patrick Bodovitz "The Jewish People's Republic" (June 29, 2026)

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 22:00:00 GMT

What if Israel had aligned with the Soviet Union instead of the West? Join us for a book talk and Q&A with author Patrick Bodovitz as he explores this gripping alternate history of the Cold War, the Middle East, and the road not taken.

The Jewish People's Republic imagines a 1948 in which Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion sends a secret envoy to Moscow, trading Soviet recognition of Israeli independence for a place in the Communist Bloc. What follows is a decades-long struggle over Israel's soul, told through the eyes of an intelligence officer, a Red Army veteran, and a New York journalist watching history unravel from afar.

The Impact of Aid Cuts on Global Health with Pastries & Policy (July 07, 2026)

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Join us for a virtual conversation on the real-world consequences of international aid cuts on global health outcomes, disease surveillance, and pandemic preparedness.

Dr. Davide Rasella is an ICREA Research Professor and head of the Global Health Impact Assessment and Evaluation Group, specializing in social epidemiology and how policies and financing shape population health in low- and middle-income countries. His work quantifies the health effects of reductions in development assistance, focusing on child and maternal health, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis across Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Check out Dr Davide Rasella’s paper which will ground our conversation, where he finds aid cuts could result in more than 22 million additional deaths by 2030, including 5.4 million children under five : https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(26)00008-2/fulltext

Dr. Alexandra Phelan is an Associate Professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Senior Scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, specializing in global health law, infectious disease governance, and the legal and policy impacts of pandemics, climate change, and biodiversity loss. She advises governments and international organizations including the WHO and the US National Academies on pandemic preparedness and global health security.

Dr. Brooke Nichols is an infectious disease mathematical modeller and health economist specializing in transmission dynamics, implementation modeling, and optimal resource allocation for pathogens including HIV, tuberculosis, SARS-CoV-2, and other pathogens of pandemic potential. Her work seeks to minimize the health and economic impact of infectious diseases through innovative quantitative approaches.

This discussion will explore:

- Quantifying the impact of aid cuts on global health and development outcomes
- Effects on vaccination programs, disease surveillance, and pandemic preparedness
- Operational challenges facing NGOs and frontline implementing partners
- Shifting geopolitical and multilateral dynamics in global aid

July Happy Hour with NABEA (July 16, 2026)

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 21:30:00 GMT

Escape the humidity with us and NABEA (National Association for Black Engagement with Asia)!

This July we're heading to Game On Bar + Arcade for a fun evening of drinks, conversation, and good company. Whether you're a longtime member or joining us for the first time, we'd love to see you there. Bring a friend!

American Revolution Wargame: The Times That Try Our Souls (July 18, 2026)

Sat, 18 Jul 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Think you have what it takes to change the course of history?

It is July 1776. What began as protests and political unrest in the North American colonies has escalated into open rebellion. In a string of surprising early victories, the newly formed Continental Army has driven British troops from Boston, forced royal governors into exile, and repelled a British assault on Charleston.

Join us for a historical wargame in commemoration of America's 250th anniversary where you step into the shoes of military commanders, political leaders, and diplomats as the fate of a nation hangs in the balance.

Players can take on roles representing the Continental United States, the Kingdom of Great Britain, the Kingdom of France, the Kingdom of Spain, and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. If enough players join, each of the 13 colonies will have their own representative at the table.

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.

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.

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

Coffee Chat: Candice Vinson (August 12, 2026)

Wed, 12 Aug 2026 16:00:00 GMT

The goal of these Coffee Chats will be to show the different paths and careers that exist in the field of international relations. Each chat will feature a different guest who will share their experience and advice for people who are interested in a particular career path. This Coffee Chat is open to YPFP members only at this time.

A Zoom link will be sent the day before.