Co-chairs: Molly Ellenberg & Sheridan Bahar

In early 2017, the Combating Terrorism Discussion Group (CTDG) became the first group to pilot the Working Group Initiative, in order to better facilitate the development of future counterterrorism leaders and policymakers. The central goals of the CTDG are to increase NextGen engagement through policy paper production, focused discussion meetings, and YPFP membership-wide events. The CTDG explores and assesses methods that the United States and our allies can use to effectively respond to and proactively prepare for emerging and evolving terrorist threats. The working group leverages cross disciplinary approaches in order to create holistic solutions to fight terrorism.

Key Areas of Focus:

In addition to assessing current events that directly and indirectly relate to counterterrorism efforts and international security, in the past we’ve discussed:

• The pros and cons of counter-radicalization/de-radicalization programs
• The relationship between counterterrorism, privacy, and civil liberties
• The assessed contributions or failures of existing counterterrorism strategies in various regions
• The use of advanced technology (specifically Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) to track and eliminate terrorist threats

Membership Criteria:

• Demonstrated interest in counterterrorism strategies and policies
• Professional or academic experience in the field of national security, counterterrorism, or related fields
• Commitment to attending monthly meetings on a regular basis
• Desire to engage in counterterrorism policy through the publishing of papers and participation in CTWG events
• Willingness to keep up with current events related to national security and terrorist threats
• Firm understanding that candid and valuable discussions require respect for different viewpoints and perspectives

Chair: William Loomis

As more information and human activities are integrated into the digital world, the security of cyberspace is becoming more and more critical – for the country’s national security, innovation, and privacy. Recent developments in this field have catapulted cybersecurity into the spotlight of media and national security policy discussion. Despite growing attention, cybersecurity still remains a nascent policy area where much work needs to be done.

YPFP’s Cybersecurity Policy & Technology Discussion Group is a valuable professional, intellectual, and personal resource for those interested in cybersecurity. The group will address a host of dynamic security issues in the cyber domain: cyber offense/defense, internet governance, privacy and civil liberties, international cooperation, legislative efforts, and grand cyber strategy. Group members are invited to share their individual expertise and knowledge, and are strongly encouraged to keep up with current events. The group strives to bring together a diverse group of young professionals from across public and private sectors with various levels of experiences related to cybersecurity.

Membership Criteria:

• Current or prior professional or educational background in cybersecurity
• Demonstrated interest in the topic and firm grasp of current events in the field
• Ability to participate in virtual activity between meetings (a group discussion board or email conversations)
• Committed to attending monthly meetings and being an active member
• A positive attitude, sense of humor, and desire to get to know other members

Chair: Rob Montano & Charley Claudio

The Defense Discussion Group provides members with the opportunity to discuss topics of recent and enduring importance to the defense and national security field. Due to the complexity of this field, discussions will be wide-ranging, covering the full spectrum of conflict and competition among states and between states and non-state actors.

Topic areas may include regional, institutional, and conceptual issues such as:

• Regional security and security cooperation;
• The defense budget and authorities;
• The defense industrial base;
• Technology and the future of warfare;
• Irregular warfare, counterinsurgency, and stability operations;
• And many more.

Membership Criteria:

• Current or prior academic or professional involvement in the defense field.
• Interest in and knowledge of a variety of defense and national security topics.
• Commitment to regularly attend monthly meetings.
• Maintenance of familiarity with current events in defense and national security issues.
• Applicants are considered based on qualifications with additional regard given to diversity of perspectives and relevant professions

This group aims to be holistic and forward thinking in its discussions, so group members are expected to keep up with current events and come to meetings prepared to discuss the planned topic.

Chair: Joey Kalmin & Matt Gallagher

The Energy and Environment Discussion Group meets monthly to discuss the most pressing, challenging, and often the most controversial issues in the environmental and energy policy spheres. Our diverse members stem from public, private, and non-profit sectors and have the opportunity to discuss and debate country or regional specific issues, as well as broader thematic issues that shape international dialogue.

Conversations are interdisciplinary, including geopolitical, economic, and security factors as well as domestic political and societal elements. We also deep-dive into specifics with renewable energy portfolios, carbon tax policies, fracking techniques, ocean acidification, nuclear safety, and biotechnology.

Solving complex issues requires a diverse skill-set, so we look for group members who represent the full spectrum of private, government, and nonprofit sectors.

Sample Topics:

• Geopolitical Impacts of China's Environmental Policies
• Global Food Security and Water Scarcity
• African Agricultural Development
• Climate Change and US National Security
• Carbon Finance and REDD
• Smartgrids and Energy Infrastructure
• Natural Gas and Fracking
• The Keystone Pipeline
• E-waste
• Nuclear Iran

Membership Criteria:

Required:

• Interest in environmental security, energy policy or finance, emissions trading, clean tech, or global environmental issues
• Commitment to being an active and regular contributor to the group - we meet monthly with other ad-hoc events interspersed
• A positive attitude and desire to meet other great people who work with in the field
• Critical thinking skills and a willingness to actively contribute respectful and thoughtful comments to discussions and debates

Desirable:

• Specific background in environmental security, energy policy or finance, emissions trading, clean tech, or global environmental issues
• Willingness to take on additional responsibilities such as planning discussions and events, writing blog posts, and contributing to occasional group publications

Chair: Annie McKinney

Studies now show that gender inequality is a predictor of armed conflict between and within states, and that gender equality is actually a better predictor of a state’s peacefulness than GDP or democracy. Engagement by both women and men is crucial in national security, conflict resolution, economic development, and political movements, yet significant gaps still remain in terms of equal participation in these areas.

The aim of the Gender in Foreign Policy discussion group is to examine the gender considerations that should be integrated into any foreign policy if it is to be effective and the ongoing efforts by men and women to promote foreign policy work that is more inclusive.

All genders welcome: the discussion group is open to anyone interested in exploring these topics and there is no requirement to have experience working specifically in this field. The group meets once a month to discuss the role and status of women and gender in the context of foreign policy, history, and current global events.

Sample Topics:

• Women and countering terrorism and violent extremism
• Women’s political participation & engagement in state-building
• Civil society and LGBT rights
• UN and global efforts on women, peace, and security
• Gender and the military
• Women in conflict resolution and transitional justice
• Gender-based violence
• Gender issues in the economy and workforce
• Reproductive health and HIV/AIDS

Membership Criteria:

• Professional or academic experience in any foreign policy field
• Interest in considering foreign policy issues through a gender lens and making foreign policy more inclusive and effective
• Willingness to commit to attend at least 8 of 12 monthly meetings

Chair: Michael Tint

The U.S. Grand Strategy Discussion Group is a roundtable meeting of professionals interested in the big picture and long view of U.S. strategic thought. Drawing on theories of international relations, participants will explore and debate prevailing traditions and values of American strategy. Topics include long-term American security goals, the strategies that purport to achieve them, and the foreign policies that result. Guest speakers will include prominent thinkers in U.S. strategy and policy makers responsible for translating grand concepts into practical decisions.

Sample Topics:

• "U.S. Grand Strategy and International Crime"
• "Budget Priorities of U.S. Grand Strategy"
• "Public Perceptions of U.S. Grand Strategy"
• "A U.S. Strategic Narrative"
• "U.S. Energy Strategy"
• "How Does Grand Strategy Drive Our Approach to Current Events in Libya and the Middle East?"
• "U.S. Grand Strategy to Global Economic Integration in the Age of Austerity"
• "U.S. Grand Strategy and Civil Unrest (Foreign and Domestic)"

Membership Criteria:

• The Grand Strategy discussion group's members come from a variety of personal and professional backgrounds. Members don't have to work in grand strategy professionally or have specific academic experience in grand strategy.
• Any good strategy needs different viewpoints, and the Grand Strategy discussion group seeks diverse experiences and sectors represented in the group.
• Potential members need to demonstrate professional or academic interest in international issues, a willingness to listen to other perspectives, and a sense of humor.  

Chairs: 

The Human Rights DG seeks to provide a forum for discussing and analyzing human rights challenges in the developed and developing world, with the purpose of better understanding these abuses and generating innovative strategies to overcome them. We will focus on conflict rights, multilateral options, global social norms, and human rights advocacy strategies, while building on group discussions through blog posts, op-eds, and policy documents.

Discussion Topics

The Human Rights DG will discuss threats to social, political, and civil rights around the world, including issues that are still unfolding, such as the denigration of human rights in Iraq and Syria and Beijing's crackdown on assembly rights in Hong Kong, as well as chronic problems such as LGBT issues in Africa and European abuses against immigrants. While specific discussion topics will be tailored to members' interests and expertise, below are several broad themes that will be tackled by the Human Rights DG:

Chair:

The YPFP Intelligence and Information Warfare Discussion Group provides an open forum for the discussion of the collection, reading, and analysis of information, and how this product fits into the broader vision of foreign policy. The discussion group will examine these topics through both historical and current events, methods, and policies. It will also seek to broaden members’ knowledge on a variety of related topics.

Membership Criteria:

• Individuals need not have an academic or professional background, but must have a strong interest in the topic.
• An open mind and a desire to learn more. Diverse viewpoints and ideas encouraged!
• Must come prepared to participate in a group discussion.
• Due to the sensitivity of topics we ask that individuals maintain a level of discretion and confidentiality on the topics discussed.
• Willingness to attend meetings once a month.

Chair: Ana Campusano

International Development brings many disciplines and actors together in the resolution of complex global challenges. A development practitioner cannot, for instance, execute a plan for waste-water management in India without at once being familiar with urban planning, local custom, and legal procedure. At the same time, larger institutions implementing development agendas, from individual countries to multilateral entities must coordinate their efforts across borders, financial institutions, and stakeholders.

Within this complex system of actors, scales, and goals, the International Development Discussion Group seeks to build a deeper understanding of the field for the purpose of fostering sustainable, positive changes in the lives of people around the world. This will be accomplished through the examination of diverse topics and through conversations with industry leaders, practitioners, and experts. 

In fostering constructive dialogue among future International Development leaders, this discussion group complements YPFP’s overarching mission. If you seek to share knowledge with your peers by engaging in critical discourse, for the  purpose of increasing the general--global--welfare, we welcome you to apply.

Sample Topics:

• Gender and International development
• Differences in field implementation and development project planning
• Bottom-of-the-pyramid economics
• Micro______(finance, loans, et cetera)
• The role of China in International development
• International development as foreign policy
• Mobile technology and ICT in International Development
• Various regional topics (Western aid in Africa, Structural adjustment in Latin America & the “Lost Decade,” etc.)
• Further topics to be determined based on member interests and expertise!

Membership Criteria:

• Willingness to commit to at least 8 out of 12 monthly meetings
• Critical thinker, willing to actively contribute thoughtful arguments to discussions and debates
• Able to demonstrate a relationship between professional/personal interests in international development (but educational background and professional expertise in the topic is not required)
• Dues-paying membership with YPFP

Chair: April Song, Rakan Aboneeaj & Michael Pinkerton

As the world economy increases in its complexity, it is more important than ever to understand the myriad of factors that are shaping economic ties between countries. The Trade and Finance Discussion Group will host productive discussions about a variety of topics and current events related to international economics and international business. The aim of this discussion group is to foster a community of young professionals with interest and experience in international economics, along with providing members opportunities to learn from each other and enhance their understanding of current issues. Discussion topics will largely be driven by the interest of members.

Sample Topics:

• Is the World Trade Organization losing its relevance?
• Dynamics of U.S-China economic relations
• The role of trade policy and trade facilitation in developing economies
• The future of the Euro Zone
• Doing business with emerging markets

Membership Criteria:

• An interest in international trade, finance, or business
• Academic and/or professional experience in international economics
• Knowledge of current trends and issues in international economics
• Commitment to attend the DG’s discussions, speaker events, and social activities

Chairs: Justin Marinelli

In an increasingly competitive international security environment, the perceived utility of nuclear weapons is becoming more salient. However, the United States has paid relatively little attention to nuclear weapons since the end of the Cold War. This mismatch creates a dangerous gap for U.S. policymakers. This groups seeks to explore those challenges, bringing together individuals interested in nuclear policy and strategy.

Participants have the opportunity to discuss a wide set of contemporary issues ranging from the role of U.S. nuclear forces and arms control to the strategies and doctrines of other nuclear-armed states. Group discussions, guest speakers, and events such as table top exercises allow participants learn more about an under-studied aspect of U.S. security policy.

Sample Topics

• Arms control and deterrence
• The role of nuclear weapons in U.S. foreign policy
• Potential adversary nuclear doctrine and strategy
• Extended nuclear deterrence
• Nuclear modernization

Membership Criteria

• Demonstrated interest in nuclear weapons policy (broadly speaking)
• Professional or academic experience in U.S. nuclear weapons policy, national security, foreign policy, or related fields
• Commitment to attend monthly meetings on a regular basis
• Willingness to stay informed and keep up with current nuclear weapons issues
• Respect for different viewpoints and a willingness to learn from others