The following Professional Organizations and Young Leadership Programs have been made available by the Ford Institute for Human Security for educational and networking opportunities, but also to help ease the transition from graduate school into the professional world.
Professional Organizations
- Eurasia Foundation is a leader in the development of open, just and progressive societies. Its programs promote local economic development, youth engagement, cross border cooperation, independent media and public policy, and institution building. Eurasia Foundation encourages and enables citizens and communities to seek local solutions for local problem.
- The Foreign Policy Initiative (FPI) aims to promote U.S. engagement in diplomatic, economic, and military in the world, provide robust support for America’s democratic allies, improve the human rights of those oppressed by their governments and assist U.S. leadership in working to spread political and economic freedom.
- Pittsburgh Chapter of the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network (YNPN Pgh) promotes an efficient, viable and inclusive nonprofit sector that supports the growth, learning, and development of young professionals.
- Pittsburgh Urban Magnet Project (PUMP) works to make Pittsburgh the most dynamic and diverse place by inspiring young and young-thinking people to affect change in our community through professional development, civic engagement and social networking.
- Society for International Development (SID) is a global forum of individuals and institutions concerned with sustainable economic, social and political development. SID-Washington is membership-driven knowledge broker that brings together people from diverse organizations, disciplines, and career stages in a neutral, independent forum -- a "global town square." This unique space cuts across all sectors of development, where knowledge exchange and networking among the different organizations involved in development is the raison d'etre. SID-Washington's diverse individual membership is comprised of U.S. government officials, development practitioners from multilateral organizations and non-governmental organizations, technical specialists, diplomats, and academics. Chapters outside the USA may be useful for networking and making connections.
- Women In International Security (WIIS) is the only global network actively advancing women’s leadership, at all stages of their careers, in the international peace and security field.
- Women of Color Advancing Peace, Security, and Conflict Transformation (WCAPS) believes global issues demand a variety of perspectives. That’s why WCAPS created a platform devoted to women of color that cultivates a strong voice and network for its members while encouraging dialogue and strategies for engaging in policy discussions on an international scale. Through WCAPS' dedication to mentorship and partnerships and their passion for changing the global community landscape, WCAPS remains committed to achieving its vision of advancing the leadership and professional development of women of color in the fields of international peace, security, and conflict transformation.
- Young Professionals in Foreign Policy (YPFP) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization committed to fostering the next generation of foreign policy leaders with regular meetings, programs, a job board and more. Founded in 2004 and run by a team of more than 100 dedicated volunteers, YPFP has grown from a start up to a global community of 10,000 young professionals in more than 60 countries with branches in Washington, New York, London, and Brussels.
Young Leadership Programs
- Eurasia Foundation (EF) Young Professionals Network (YPN) identifies young professionals who share EF (Eurasia Foundation)’s commitment to international engagement across the region and connects them with more established professionals from a variety of fields.
- The Foreign Policy Initiative Future Leaders Program was developed to create an opportunity for young professionals in Washington to engage in thoughtful and educational conversations on foreign policy and connect with notable thinkers and practitioners in international affairs.
- New American Security (CNAS) Next Generation National Security Leaders Program is an annual class of gather a bipartisan group of future national security leaders from the Washington area to participate in a series of frank and open discussions on immediate and long-term U.S. national security and foreign policy challenges with the goal of developing a shared understanding of the nation's security interests and international priorities. During the program, Next Generation Leaders will engage with influential figures in the national security field in a series of candid discussions on several of the most pressing issues facing the United States.
- Truman National Security Project is a national security leadership institute, the nation's only organization that recruits, trains, and positions a new generation of progressives across America to lead on national security. The Truman Security Fellowship is a highly competitive leadership development program for exceptional individuals who show promise to become our country’s future progressive leaders and are committed to advancing Truman internationalist policy over the course of their careers. Applicants must live in one of the nine Fellowship Chapters (Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Colorado, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Washington, D.C.) for at least the duration of one year from when you are accepted (i.e. January 2013-January 2014).
- Women In International Security (WIIS) Leadership Development goes beyond increasing the numbers of women in leadership roles – WIIS supports and trains women to succeed in these roles. Members of the WIIS network serve in the highest levels of governments, and work actively to encourage leadership by new generations of women.