Halifax International Security Forum is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C. Halifax is a forum and a network for leaders from militaries, governments, business, academia, and the media to work together to meet emerging security threats and discuss pressing global issues.

Halifax is important to the global security community because it promotes closer cooperation among democratic leaders and helps build partnerships across borders and sectors, creating strategies to strengthen international security.

Overview

Halifax International Security Forum was founded in 2009 as a program within the German Marshall Fund of the United States, with financial support from the Canadian government.

The November 2010 Forum drew leaders from 44 countries, including former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice; Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak; and U.S. Senators John McCain, Mark Udall and Lindsey Graham. In 2009, the Forum had many notables in attendance, including Admiral and Supreme Allied Commander of Europe James Stavridis and former U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates. Now an independent organization, Halifax International Security Forum continues to be funded primarily by the government of Canada.

2011 Forum

The November 2011 Forum features Foreign Affairs as the media partner. This year’s discussions will focus on security issues of the past year—and the past 10 years since 9/11—including the Arab Spring, the global financial crisis, and the evolution of international security. Participants will also meet during off-the-record morning and evening sessions to address subjects including climate change, the rise of China, cyber conflict and the future of nuclear power.

2010 Forum

The 2010 Forum featured themes such as state-building, nuclear proliferation, and global governance. Off-the-record breakout sessions explored challenges associated with defense cuts, cyber security, and development, among other topics.

Participants at the 2010 Halifax International Security Forum included:
• Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, Canada
• Ehud Barak, Minister of Defense, Israel
• Condoleezza Rice, Professor of Political Science, Stanford University
• U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano
• U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Michèle Flournoy
• U.S. Commander of NORAD and NORTHCOM Admiral James Winnefeld
• A U.S. Congressional Delegation including Senators John McCain, Lindsey Graham, Barbara Mikulski, Jeanne Shaheen, Mark Udall, and Jeff Sessions
• Stéphane Abrial, NATO Supreme Allied Commander for Transformation, France.

2009 Forum

On Friday, November 20, 2009, the first Halifax International Security Forum opened with a keynote speech by the Honorable Robert Gates, then U.S. Secretary of Defense. The conference included a panel on Global Transatlanticism: Where the Allies Are, and night-owl sessions on Partners and Problems: North Korea and The Middle East, and Geopolitical Consequences of the Economic Crisis. Participants discussed whether international humanitarian law is effective, and Obama’s presidency after one year in office. Security and Climate Change, and Terrorism were among other topics of deliberation.

Participants at the 2009 Halifax International Security Forum included:
• U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates

• U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Stephen Breyer

• A U.S. congressional delegation led by Sens. John McCain (R-AZ) and Mark Udall (D-CO)

• Greg Craig, White House Counsel

• Canadian Minister of National Defence Peter MacKay

• Admiral James Stavridis, Supreme Allied Commander, Europe

• General Victor Renuart, Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command

• Admiral Mark Fitzgerald, Commander, Allied Joint Force Command Naples

• Admiral Édouard Guillaud, Military Advisor to French President Nicolas Sarkozy

• Canadian Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin

• U.S. Under Secretary of State Ellen Tauscher

• Dutch Defense Minister Eimert Van Middelkoop

• Belgian Defense Minister Pieter De Crem

• Ruprecht Polenz, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the German Bundestag

• Stephen Hadley, former national security advisor to President George W. Bush.

External links

1. www.halifaxtheforum.org Halifax International Security Forum