Several months ago, Young Professionals in Foreign Policy began its Discussion Group Series to provide members with the opportunity to discuss current events, share resources, and exchange views with fellow YPFP members in a small group setting. Discussion groups have since become one of YPFP’s most popular and successful programs. Due to the high demand, we are pleased to announce the launch of four new discussion groups:

• Defense Policy
• East Asia
• Energy and the Environment
• Gender in Foreign Policy

In addition, we will be accepting applications to our six existing discussion groups:

• Africa
• Development Policy
• Latin America
• Middle East
• Russia & Eurasia
• Western Europe 

Please read on for further details about the Discussion Group series, applications, discussion group descriptions, and contact information.

YPFP will be accepting requests to join all ten discussion groups over the next week. To request to join a group, please complete the brief form included in the bottom of this e-mail. Requests to join a discussion group should be sent to discussion@ypfp.org before 5pm on Wednesday, February 20th. Members who have requested to join a new discussion group should be notified by Monday, March 3rd. Members requesting to join existing discussion groups should hear back shortly thereafter. We regret that not every request can be granted. 

YPFP New York has launched a parallel selection process for its discussion groups. For more information, please contact Laura Keating at laura.keating@ypfp.org. 

In addition, if you are interested in leading a future discussion group during our next expansion, please contact Derek Grossman with a brief description of your background and interests, a resume, and a description of the topic on which you would be interested in leading a group. We are looking for leaders with a background in global health, international law and institutions, human rights, international trade and finance, South Asia, journalism, science and technology, theories of international relations, and American politics and foreign policy, as well as new ideas. 

Please read on for further details on all the discussion groups. If you have any further questions regarding the Discussion Group Series, the new groups, or the selection process, please contact Derek Grossman at derek.grossman@ypfp.org. We are pleased to offer you these exciting new opportunities, and we hope you will take advantage.

Sincerely,  

Derek Grossman

Director, Discussion Groups Series

Discussion Group Request Form

First Choice Discussion Group:
Second Choice Discussion Group:
Name:
Affiliation:
Phone number:
[ ] Yes, I am currently a YPFP member.
[ ] No, I am not currently a YPFP member. If not, please apply online.
Please briefly describe your background in the subject of your first preference discussion group:
Please briefly describe how this subject relates to your work or interests:
[ ] Yes, I commit to attending a monthly meeting of this discussion group.

Discussion Group Information

The Discussion Group Series brings together YPFP members from various fields to exchange ideas in a small group setting. Participants enjoy access to special events and opportunities, discuss current events, share resources, present and receive feedback on their writing and current work, and expand their conversations beyond YPFP's regular events. In addition to providing another venue for discussion, these groups strengthen the YPFP community by fostering personal and professional relationships. They also serve as a concentration of expertise within YPFP, providing consultation for YPFP programming and representing YPFP’s membership at certain special events and discussions.
  
Discussion Group Format

Each Discussion Group meets once per month for informal conversation at members' homes, offices, bars, or similar convenient spaces. Each group aims to have roughly 15 members at each session. Meetings have an agenda based on a particular topic, but discussions are typically free-flowing. The time, location and agenda for the meetings are set by the Discussion Group Chair in consultation with the members. As with all YPFP events, meetings are strictly off-the-record.

Discussions include a variety of topics and formats, open discussions, brief presentations from group members, or a discussion with an outside expert. The topics and format are at the discretion of the Discussion Group Chair, in consultation with the group’s membership.

Group Membership

All YPFP members are encouraged to apply to join one Discussion Group; however, in order to keep the discussions small, only a limited number of people can be included. Discussions are highly substantive and are geared towards those with a background or professional interest in the field. Because the Discussion Groups are intended to create a running conversation among members, regular participation in the monthly meeting is expected from those who join.

Discussion Group Descriptions and Contact Information

Defense Policy

Chair: Jeff Friedman
E-mail: defense.discussion@ypfp.org
The Defense Policy group will examine prominent national security issues including military operations, grand strategy, military doctrine, force planning, counterterrorism, nuclear proliferation, and the future of warfare. Drawing on the expertise of members who work in a wide range of fields – military and civilian, operational and analytical – we will generate a lively, well-informed discussion on defense policy challenges facing the United States today, as well as those that are likely to arise in the future.  

East Asia

Chair: Peter Mattis
E-mail: east.asia.discussion@ypfp.org
The East Asia discussion group will focus on a variety of political, economic, military, and social trends that are shaping East Asia from the Kamchatka to the Malay peninsulas. We hope to share and discuss current events with an eye toward policy relevance and "what's next." Initial topics will include China's impact in international relations, the evolving role of ASEAN, Japan's normalization, and the U.S. role in the region.

Energy and the Environment

Chair: Evie Zambetakis
E-mail: energy.discussion@ypfp.org
Energy security cuts across geopolitical, environmental, and economic sectors. The serious policy challenges in each sector are compounded by those faced in developing a coherent long-term strategy to tackle these interrelated issues. This discussion group will focus on the geopolitics of energy – encompassing both producers and consumers across regions – and how supply and demand exigencies impact national and foreign security policy. We will examine the economic factors that play into energy strategies, portfolios, and sustainable development (i.e., resource curse, stabilization funds, sovereign wealth funds, the role of national and international oil companies) We will look at environmental issues and the impact of the global climate change debate on energy strategies, and the special benefits and risks these decisions carry (i.e., nuclear power for civilian use vs. nuclear proliferation risk, alternative fuels, efficiency).

Gender in Foreign Policy

Chair: Kathryn Kargman
E-mail: gender.discussion@ypfp.org
The Gender in Foreign Policy Discussion Group will provide a forum for members to discuss the relevance of gender considerations in foreign policy objectives and the gender focused programs implemented to achieve these objectives. The group will cover topics such as: Gender Concerns and Transitional Justice, The New UN Rape Resolution, Family Law and Property Rights, Targeting Men in HIV/AIDS Prevention, and Child Marriage. The Discussion Group will also have a Balancing Work and Family discussion series and a mentoring event with policy makers of the group's choosing.  

Additionally, we are accepting applications for the existing six discussion groups. Their descriptions and contact information are included below.

Africa

Chair: Elizabeth Sullivan
E-mail: africa.discussion@ypfp.org
The Africa Discussion Group will concentrate on a broad range of issues throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. Monthly themes will include functional and regional topics such as peacekeeping and the African Union, HIV/AIDS, economic development, ecotourism and country analysis of countries such as Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and Somalia. Topics will be driven by the professional and personal interests of group members. 

Development Policy

Chair: Chris Uregian
E-mail: development.discussion@ypfp.org
The Global Development Discussion Group will provide a forum for member to discuss some of the most pressing issues of international development and the role of the wealthy countries' public, private and non-profit sectors. The monthly Discussion Group will aim to build on the Global Development Speaker Series that will cover a wide range of topics including: how to create enabling business environments for private sector growth; evolution in efforts to improve public sector governance at all levels; the growth and impact of community development programs and micro-level interventions; the potential and constraints of expanding education; addressing health crises and building robust health systems; the links between international development and security; provision of global public goods; evaluating aid effectiveness and reforming the global aid regime; and evolving roles and cooperation of private, public and non-profit sectors. 

Latin America

Chair: Sarah King
E-mail: latin.america.discussion@ypfp.org
The Latin America Discussion Group will cover the many political, economic, and cultural issues that are shaping the region. The members will have the opportunity to discuss country specific topics as well as subjects pertaining to regional integration and the U.S.-Latin America relationship. Member input, interests, and expertise will largely shape the discussion areas. 

Middle East

Chair: Torie Partridge
E-mail: mideast.discussion@ypfp.org
The YPFP Middle East Discussion Group will focus on political, security, sociological, and cultural trends in the contemporary Middle East and North Africa as well as the United States' relationship with and role in the region. 

Russia & Eurasia

Chair: John Elliott
E-mail: russia.discussion@ypfp.org
The Russia and Eurasia Discussion Group will focus on a variety of political, economic, and social issues in Eurasia. We hope to share and discuss current events and trends with a focus on the questions "so what?" and "what's next?" Initial topics will involve relations among the former Soviet Republics, a resurgent Russia, and Eurasia's regional and international role and its foreign policies. 

Western Europe

Chair: Meaghan Casey
E-mail: europe.discussion@ypfp.org
The Western Europe Discussion Group will discuss a range of issues including the new generation of European leadership, internal European Union developments, member state politics, European business and trade movement, transatlantic relations, and EU policy as it relates to other global players. The discussion topics are not limited to these themes, however, and will be largely driven by the interests of group members.