FORUM DE DEFENSE ET DE STRATEGIE
French-Canadian Young Leaders Program on Defense and Diplomatic issues
Promo 2025
The 2025 cohort of the program brought together eleven young professionals from research, the armed forces, public institutions, and civil society, originating from France, Canada, and—at a rate of 20%—other nationalities from the transatlantic community, reflecting an enhanced transatlantic dimension that defines this edition. This second edition also introduced a major innovation: the presence of mentors—recognized experts in their respective fields—who accompany the cohort throughout the year, fostering continuity and the transmission of experience. Over two sessions—in Europe (March) and in Canada (May)—participants took part in an intensive program of high-level meetings, roundtables, and strategic visits, focused on defence, security, and transatlantic cooperation issues.
Mentors
Edouard Baudry
Céline Goncalves Rodrigues
Céline Goncalves Rodrigues PhD Candidate, Universidade Nova de Lisboa LinkedIn
Theo
Urvoy
Théo Urvoy Research Assistant, Arctic Observatory & Observatory of Future Conflicts LinkedIn
Program Partners
Program in Europe – March 10–14, 2025
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Strategic visit and exchanges in Brest with the Strategic Oceanic Force and the Atlantic Maritime Prefecture
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Workshops and roundtables at the 2025 Paris Defence and Strategy Forum
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Exchanges with former senior political leaders (former Prime Ministers, Senators, etc.)
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Meetings with experts on cooperation in new technologies
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Discussions with senior military officials at NATO Headquarters
Detailed Program.
Program in Canada – May 5–9, 2025
The Canadian session, held in Ottawa, Montreal, and Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, included:
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Discussions on Franco–Canadian military cooperation and the Francophonie
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Public conference at the Embassy of France on raising public awareness of defence issues
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Exchanges with the Canadian Rangers
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Meetings with former politicians, with the CCAESCO, and with the Delegation of the European Union to Canada
Detailed Program.
📢 Conferences and Symposia Organized as Part of the Program
Discussions with former Prime Minister Alain Juppé
Conference at the French Embassy in Canada
As part of the 2025 edition of the PAFC, three major events were organized:
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Round Table – Rethinking European and Transatlantic Alliances (Paris Defence and Strategy Forum – 11 March 2025)
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Round Table – North Atlantic and Arctic: Inter-Allied and Security Cooperation (Paris Defence and Strategy Forum – 13 March 2025)
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Event at the Embassy of France in Canada – 8 May 2025
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Keynote on the France–Canada relationship
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Round Table – How to Raise Awareness Among Societies and Elites on Defence and Deterrence Issues? This event was recorded by CPAC.
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