Call for applications:

France-Canada Future Leaders Programme on Defence Issues

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Description:

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This program aims to deepen Franco-Canadian strategic exchanges and beyond, given the threats and challenges currently encountered by France, Canada and other members of the Euro-Atlantic community. The latter are raised in terms of deterrence (nuclear, conventional, sub-threshold) following Russia's revisionist behavior and in view of the challenges posed by China. In particular, the program targets three aspects of deterrence: 1) the strategies needed to establish between allies, depending on the region (Europe, the Arctic, the China Sea, etc.); 2) the measures (including diplomatic ones) to be taken to ensure the solidity of these strategies, particularly as regards public opinion; 3) the emerging technologies to be prioritized. Related themes will also be addressed in the course of the program, with several links to the issues identified: Francophonie, the Women's Agenda for Peace and Security, etc.

 

In concrete terms, following on from the 2024 edition, this program aims to continue building a network of emerging leaders (mainly Franco-Canadian, but also with people from the Euro-Atlantic community) making regular contacts. The group (10 people at least) will take part in two stays of around 4/5 days each, one in France (in Paris and at the naval base in Brest) and the other in Canada (Ottawa, Montreal and Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu). During these visits, a number of private events will be organized (workshops in restricted groups with certain political, military, diplomatic, academic or industrial leaders) and events open to the public (colloquia, conferences; a hybrid format allowing remote monitoring and re-broadcasting on You Tube preferred). Between the two visits (scheduled for March 2025 and May 2025), a workshop between the participants and one or two guests will be held online, focusing on the program’s topics. 

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Participants’ contribution

Participants will be invited to jointly draft 5 strategic notes during the project (1. Security and climate threats in the Arctic; 2. Security architecture in the Arctic; 3. Security architecture in Europe; 4. Multinational industrial and capability cooperation in relation to the challenges of the Arctic and the North Atlantic; 5. Future areas of conflict and tension in the world: focus on the China Sea). These 5 notes will form the framework of a Franco-Canadian mini-white paper on security architecture in the Arctic and Europe, on the possibilities for Franco-Canadian military cooperation, particularly in the field of military equipment, and on future challenges and tensions on the international scene. Speakers taking part in the public events will also be invited to submit a policy brief in connection with their presentation, which may be included in the mini-white paper. The strategy and policy briefs will be published and made available in English and French.

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Applications for this program are now open until January 19, 2025. To apply, please complete the application form below, attach a CV and send it to the following addresses: info@forum-defense-strategie.org, bbpfrancecanada@gmail.com.​

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 Preliminary detailed programme

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Click here to download the application form.

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The eligibility criteria are as follows:

• The program aims to build a network of emerging leaders: it is therefore exclusively aimed at applicants aged under 40 on 1st of February 2025.

• The program is open to French and Canadian nationals (or permanent residents in Canada), but also to those from the transatlantic/European community ( holding the nationality of one of its member states).

• As the program activities take place in French and/or English, a good mastery of at least one of the two languages (C1, C2) and a good passive understanding (oral and written comprehension) of the other is required.

 

Further details :

• No specific professional background or academic field is targeted: the selection process will seek to ensure a diversity of profiles within the intake. Around ten auditors will be selected.

• The organising associations will cover the costs of the various network activities (transport, accommodation) for all participants. Investment in the program (participation in the two stays and workshops, interaction with other members, writing of publications) is expected on penalty of non-award of the commitment, attendance and publication prize, or even exclusion from the program. At the end of the program (including the publications mentioned: strategic notes and collective publication), a commitment, attendance and publication prize of 150 euros will be paid to participants (subject to compliance with the previous point).

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The inaugural online meeting of network members will take place in February 2025.

 

Participation fees for selected candidates:

• Once selected and informed, candidates have 15 days to confirm or withdraw their applications.

• 900 euros, this amount including the sum paid out (150 euros) at the end of the program to participants in the form of a commitment, attendance and publication prize ;

• Once the selected candidates have been informed, they will have 15 days to proceed with the payment of their participation fees by bank transfer. Failure to pay after this deadline may result in exclusion.

• Participation fees are non-refundable.

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For further information, please contact info@forum-defense-strategie.org, bbp.francecanada@gmail.com. 

 

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