Foreign Policy and Security Conference

I’m grateful for the opportunity to meet with Mr. Molapo at the South African High Commission yesterday. On behalf of FPS, we're excited about the potential collaborations discussed and look forward to future engagements.

The FPS 2024 Committee would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the distinguished speakers that took part in this year’s conference: “Security Issues in the 21st Century.” The sessions have been a great occasion to come together and reflect on pressing questions of foreign policy and international relations. Thank you to all our members who attended the conference, and to our wonderful committee for all their hard work. Programme Directors: Thomas Noonan, Hafsah Malik, and Clara Goilav Speaker Relations Directors: Aitana Gillard Gonzalez and Joshua Lim Logistics Directors: Ved SHIVAKUMAR, Mehmet Yusuf Temur and Thea Turton Marketing Directors: Samira O., Suzanna Cullen and Giulia Pession Finance Director: Kamran Rajwani General Secretary: Tasneem I. Thank you to all participants, we look forward to FPS 2025!

For the last session of the Foreign and Security Conference 2024, FPS had the pleasure of welcoming Jake Hanrahan, a British journalist and documentary filmmaker, who shared some of his experience reporting on conflict and crime and offered precious insights on the role of journalism in warfare. We would like to extend a sincere thank you to our esteemed speaker, to our Co-Programme Director, Thomas Noonan, for his engaging moderation, and to all our attendees. It was an excellent conclusion to an already great conference.

The third session of the Foreign Policy and Security Conference, titled 'The Middle East Peace Process: Progress and Setbacks,' provided a thought-provoking discussion on the complexities of the Middle East, offering a nuanced analysis of recent events and focusing on strategies for achieving long-term stability in the region. We extend our deepest thanks to our distinguished speakers, Oliver McTernan and Laith Alajlouni, for their invaluable perspectives on this crucial topic. We would also like to thank our Co-Logistics Director, Ved SHIVAKUMAR, for his skilled moderation and to all our attendees.

The second session of the Foreign Policy and Security Conference 2024, taking place on Saturday, April 27th, titled “Cyber Frontiers: The New Landscape of Global Security”, fostered an engaging discussion on the pressing issues of cyber threats and cybersecurity on a global scale. The panel, featuring Dr. Tim Stevens, Kieren Niĉolas Lovell 🇬🇮 , and Jonathan Sinclair, brought together diverse perspectives ranging from the private sector to academia, fostering a diverse exploration of cybersecurity. We extend our deepest thanks to our speakers for their time and contributions to this topic, to our Co-Marketing Director, Suzanna Cullen, for her seamless moderation, and to all who were in attendance.

Over this past weekend, I was lucky enough to take part in the annual KCL Foreign Policy and Security Conference. Through my role on the committee as co-marketing director, I have experienced first-hand the work that goes into arranging such an event, and want to thank all those on the committee who worked tirelessly to allow this event to go ahead. This year, the conference focused on Security Issues in the 21st Century, featuring four moderated sessions. The opening session delved into the subject "21st Century Mercenaries: PMCs on the Rise," featuring expert insights from Dr. Chris Kinsey and Marina Tovar. Together, they navigated the intricate dynamics of Private Military Companies (PMCs) in the modern context, emphasising their significant roles in contemporary conflicts across the Middle East, sub-Saharan Africa, and the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war. Following that, I had the privilege of moderating our session on "Cyber Frontiers: The New Landscapes of Global Security." This engaging session covered a wide range of topics within cyber security, from the motivations behind non-state actors' activities in cyberspace to the tactics they employ and the potential consequences for global security. Our diverse panel consisted of Dr. Tim Stevens, Kieren Niĉolas Lovell, and Jonathan Sinclair, bringing together academic, military, and private-sector insights to provide a comprehensive exploration of the subject. The third session examined "The Middle East Peace Process: Progress and Setbacks," providing a thorough analysis of recent events in the region. Esteemed speakers Oliver McTernan and Laith Alajlouni discussed the progress made toward stability in the Middle East, such as the landmark Saudi-Iran normalization deal and ongoing mediation efforts. Their perspectives shed light on the intricate challenges of achieving sustainable peace in the area, emphasizing the necessity of diplomacy, open dialogue, and collaborative efforts. The concluding session delved into "War and Journalism: Impossible Truth?" and examined the pivotal role of journalism in covering conflicts. Jake Hanrahan shared his firsthand experiences, offering a moving account of the impact journalists have in bringing to light the stories emerging from conflict zones. He also reflected on the inherent risks and dilemmas faced by journalists working in this role. This provided an excellent opportunity to explore a wide variety of topics, expanding the scope and depth of my knowledge in particularly interesting and increasingly relevant areas.

As the Foreign Policy and Security Conference 2024 comes to a close, I want to take a moment to reflect on this year's theme, 'Security Issues in the 21st Century.' This event strove to bring together a variety of panelists to delve into different facets of global security, offering an important space for discussion. Our first session, "21st Century Mercenaries: PMCs on the Rise," moderated by Mehmet Yusuf Temur shed light on the evolving role of Private Military Companies (PMCs) in contemporary conflicts. Dr. Chris Kinsey and Marina Tovar provided invaluable perspectives, examining the regional dynamics in sub-Saharan Africa, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and the Middle East. Their expertise illuminated the complexities surrounding the involvement of PMCs and underscored the urgency for nuanced approaches in addressing these challenges. In the second session, "Cyber Frontiers: The New Landscapes of Global Security," moderated by Suzanna Cullen, Dr. Tim Stevens, Kieren Niĉolas Lovell 🇬🇮, and Jonathan Sinclair navigated the intricate web of cyber threats. From dissecting the motivations driving non-state actors in cyberspace to analysing their tactics and impact on international security, the discussion underscored the urgent need for robust cybersecurity measures and international cooperation in safeguarding our digital realms. Moving forward, our third session, "The Middle East Peace Process: Progress and Setbacks," moderated by Ved SHIVAKUMAR, offered a nuanced examination of recent developments in the region. Speakers, Oliver McTernan and Laith Alajlouni explored the strides made towards stability in the Middle East, including the Saudi-Iran normalisation deal and mediation efforts. Their insights into the complexities of achieving lasting peace in the region highlighted the importance of diplomacy, dialogue, and collective action. Finally, "War and Journalism: Impossible Truth?" moderated by Thomas Noonan delved into the indispensable yet challenging role of journalism in documenting conflicts. Jake Hanrahan provided firsthand accounts of the risks journalists face and the dilemmas he’s encountered. His compelling voice underscored the vital role of a journalist in being the voice for stories in conflict. This journey as the Co-Programme Director over the past year has undoubtedly had its’ challenges, but with collective perseverance, the results have been nothing short of rewarding. Thank you to the wonderful committee, Thomas Noonan and Clara Goilav, my co-programme Directors; Joshua Lim and Aitana Gillard Gonzalez, our Speaker Relations Directors; Thea Turton, Ved SHIVAKUMAR, and Mehmet Yusuf Temur, our Logistics Directors; Suzanna Cullen, Samira O., and Giulia Pession, our Marketing Directors; Kamran Rajwani, our Finance Director; and Tasneem I., our General Secretary. I extend my deepest gratitude to each speaker for their invaluable contributions and to all our attendees for contributing to important discussions.

I am thrilled to commemorate the opening ceremony of our Foreign Policy and Security Conference, an evening of meaningful connections and insightful discussions. As the Co-Programme director of FPS ’24, I'm immensely proud of our committee's hard work and dedication in bringing together such esteemed speakers and participants. A huge thank you to our keynote speaker, Oliver McTernan, Director of Forward Thinking, for his enlightening speech on the future leaders in diplomacy. I look forward to the discussions that are happening today at the FPS 2024 conference, covering the theme of “Security Issues in the 21st Century."

As the Foreign Policy and Security Conference 2024 comes to a close, I'm filled with gratitude for the engaging discussions and invaluable insights shared over the weekend. From dissecting the evolving role of PMCs to delving into cyber threats, regional peace processes, and the role of journalism in documenting conflicts, each session offered a unique perspective on 21st-century security challenges. My journey as the Finance Director was marked by both challenges and enriching experiences as I navigated the responsibilities inherent in overseeing the financial aspects of organising such an event. I extend my sincere appreciation to the dedicated committee, esteemed speakers, and all attendees for their invaluable contributions. Foreign Policy and Security Conference

The Foreign Policy and Security Conference took place on Saturday, April 27th, with the first session exploring the increasing use of private military companies throughout the 21st century. Exploring the implications of this were our esteemed panelists, Dr. Chris Kinsey and Marina Tovar. This session was moderated by our Co-Logistics Director, Mehmet Yusuf Temur, and provided an interesting summary of the evolving roles of PMCs in the modern context. We would like to extend our thanks to Dr. Christopher Kinsey and Marina Tovar for providing their time and their great contributions to the discussion, to Mehmet for his moderation, and to all our members who were in attendance.