Notes from the Field
Student Reflections: International Forum on Peace, Security & Prosperity
Norwich University Peace and War Center
International Forum on Peace, Security, and Prosperity (IFPSP)
17-20 MAR 2024
Palermo, Sicily
Mission: The IFPSP was founded in 2019 to educate global youth about the challenges of building and maintaining peace, security, and prosperity within liberal democracies in the digital age. The Forum brings civilian youth together with Officer Cadets to explore the role of our militaries in the peace making, peace building and sustaining activities.
Table of Contents
Norwich Cadet Introductions
Breakdown of IFPSP Events
Norwich Cadet Introductions
Cadet Logan Wineriter, Team Leader
Introduction: CDT Wineriter is a Senior at Norwich University, Double-Majoring in International Studies, and History. An AROTC 3-year national scholarship winner, he is contracted and will be commissioned into the US Army as a Military Intelligence Officer in April of 2024. In spring of 2022, Logan studied at the Universität of Marburg, Germany, and spring of 2023, he attended the 3rd Annual IFPSP. At Norwich, he is involved with Men’s Varsity Swim Team, Peer Tutor of German and Economics, Norwich Film Club, and Class ‘24 Ring Committee. In the Corps of Cadets, Cadet Wineriter is Regimental S2 AOIC, and International Section OIC.
Takeaway: I am very grateful for the opportunity to have gotten to meet so many amazing individuals from all over the world. After attending this forum, it is clear to me that building trust is the key to building peace in today’s world. The lessons we learned through interacting with other Cadets at the IFPSP pushed us to build new relationships and learn to work together despite the difficulties of language and cultural barriers to discuss our shared objective of peace. I look forward to applying the lessons that I have learned from this forum in my future career in the military and spread awareness regarding the 8-pillars of peace to build a better future.
Cadet Toni Adipietro, Logistics Officer
Introduction: Toni Adipietro is from Middletown, New York. CDT Adipietro is a Senior at Norwich University, majoring in Criminal Justice with minors in Mathematics and Leadership. She is an Army ROTC 3-year scholarship winner who will commission into the US Army in April 2024 as a Miliary Intelligence Officer. CDT Adipietro is the 1st Battalion Commander in the Corps of Cadets, the Executive Officer on the Mountain Cold Weather Company, and a member of the Norwich Ranger Challenge Team.
Takeaway: The IFPSP provided me with an incredible experience that significantly broadened my network and strengthened my cultural understanding. A highlight of the conference was participating in a United Nations Simulation, where Cadets were broken into small groups to address a scenario involving two states invading each other. It was interesting to see how Cadets worldwide provided unique perspectives and different ways of thinking through the same problem. This opened my eyes to points of views that I never thought about when problem solving and ultimately, expanded my cultural perspective. Moving forward, this experience has been developmental for my professional growth as a future Army Intelligence Officer, by providing me with a deeper insight into the factors that drive international relations and strategic decision-making.
Cadet Colton Murphy, Financial Officer
Introduction: CDT Colton Murphy is a native Vermonter and a fifth-year student at Norwich University studying Civil Engineering. He has been involved in the Corps of Cadets all five years in cadre and staff roles, currently as the International Expedition Laison for the International Platoon. CDT Murphy enlisted in the VT Army National Guard in 2019 and currently serves as a Motor Transport Operator and hopes to continue a successful career in the Army and Engineering.
Takeaway: The warm hospitality of Sicily I was greeted with was the start of my first visit to Europe. Meeting Cadets and leaders from all parts of the world was a privilege that cannot be taken for granted. To be able to peacefully fill a room with kind conversations and discussions made the IFPSP so important. Self-reflections from each day highlighted characteristics that I embodied as worldwide Cadets emphasized and complimented each other’s personalities. This trip made me want to visit each country whose Cadets I met and learn as much as possible about networking and creating meaningful connections.
Cadet Heather Ansley, Communications Officer
Introduction: Introducing Heather Ansley, from Huntsville, AL. CDT Ansley is a senior at Norwich University, majoring in Environmental Science with a minor in General Engineering. An AROTC 4-year national scholarship winner, she is contracted and upon graduation will be commissioned into the US Army as an Active-Duty Engineering officer with a branch detail in EOD. At Norwich, she is involved in Ranger Challenge, the Swim & Dive Team, and is a member of the International Section in the Corps of Cadets.
Takeaway: The 2024 International Forum for Peace, Security, and Prosperity (IFPSP) was a culturally and socially enriching experience. Held in Palermo, Sicily; the forum included military college and high school students from all over the world. In meeting and conversing with these foreign students we had the opportunity to observe and gain an understanding on the similarities and differences between different nations and the way in which their military training is conducted. We participated in panels and group activities that allowed us to expand our relationships with the Cadets and broaden our perspective on different military issues around the world. I learned valuable lessons about communication and the importance of having an open mind in all situations that I will take with me into the next chapter of my life as an Army officer.
Cadet Elena Vargas, Administration Officer
Introduction: Elena Vargas is from Lakeville, Massachusetts. CDT Vargas is a sophomore at Norwich, double majoring in Biology and Chemistry. She is an NROTC 3-year scholarship recipient, a member of the Mountain Cold Weather Company, and a varsity athlete on the Norwich Women’s Cross Country Team.
Takeaway: Attending IFPSP and representing Norwich and the United States to the entire world has been a privilege and an amazing, irreplaceable experience. Interacting with military veterans, current service members, and officer Cadets from around the world made me realize that we can create bonds and find similarities with people of any cultural, economic, or personal background. As an officer in the United States Navy, this will help me interact with militaries overseas. On a smaller scale, this will help me better understand the men and women I lead, because on this trip I have learned how to be more comfortable connecting and finding similarities with people who appear infinitely different from myself.
Schedule of IFPSP Events
Day 0: 17 MAR
Description of events: The IFPSP conference began Sunday 17MAR with a meet and greet in the Maqueda Courtyard. First, there were welcome speeches from the President of the Sicilian Regional Assembly, Honorable Gaetano Galvagno; The Commander of the Army in Sicily, Major General Maurizio A. Scardino; and the Founder of the International Forum "Peace, Security and Prosperity", Dr. Steve Gregory. During this time, Cadets, all met each other for the first time and exchanged contact information.
Takeaway from the day: The first night was extremely exciting because hundreds of IFPSP participants were in the same area connecting in our first night in Palermo. This was extremely beneficial for our networking opportunities. This night allowed us to meet and make relationships with people from all over the world. From then, we were able to gather everyone together and start making relationships beyond the conference. – Colton Murphy.
Day 1: 18 MAR
Description of events: On Day 1 Cadets met the Mayor of the City of Palermo, Dr. Roberto Lagalla, who then assisted with the flag raising ceremony with IFPSP Founder Dr. Steve Gregory. Then Cadets completed the Walk for Remembrance and Peace accompanied by the band of the “AOSTA” Brigade, up to the Cathedral to the monument to the Civilian and Military Fallen in the International Missions for Peace of Villa Bonanno. In the afternoon, students returned for the Seminar Session on “Women, Peace and Security Agenda (WPS)”. Finally, in the evening all personel attended a Light, Water and music show hosted by Floriana Franchina (Pianist) and Thomas Leslie (Canadian Military Tenor), with a buffet dinner hosted by Pietro Piazza of Palermo.
Takeaway from the day: Today, was an excellent experience and introduction to Palermo and the other delegations during the walk for peace. During the walk, we were able to meet other Cadets and socialize. During the seminar event about Women, Peace, and Security, we learned about the changing and rising roles of women in the military. My main takeaway from the seminar was that the role of woman in the military is increasing and the demand will continue to increase. I was very grateful to get to meet the individuals on this first day from so many countries and engage with them in conversation. – Logan Wineriter.
Day 2: 19 MAR
Description of events: Day 2 took place in Palace Sclafani where it began with a seminar session on resilience by the Royal Military College. Here Cadets learned the 24-character traits that everyone has. We learned how to gather your emotions and make emotionally intelligent decisions while remaining calm, control, and collected. In the afternoon there were two panels. The first one was titled: The evolving world: What is going on at the international level which was moderated by Ian Parenteau. The second panel was titled: Is the UN still relevant which was moderated by Professor Howard Coombs.
Takeaway from the day: The resiliency exercise was one of the most personally rewarding experiences that I had during the IFPSP Forum. It challenged students to self-identify character traits within themselves and become more observant over their own action and behavior within the context of peace building. The panels were also extremely informative and it was a great thought-provoking activity for all of the students. I am super grateful to have been a part of this exercise and experience these activities with so many other high performers from around the world. – Heather Ansley.
Day 3: 20 MAR
Description of events: Day three began in Palace Sclafani with a United Nations Simulation Exercise where Cadets were broken into small groups to address a scenario involving two states invading each other. This allowed Cadets from all over the world to collaborate and make a group decision. The afternoon was in Teatro Politeama Garibaldi where Cadets listened to high school students' competition in essay submissions and videos about relevant issues in the world. Awards were given to the winning high school students and Major General Maurizio Angelo Scardino. The forum concluded with a panel discussion from West Point Professors, Doctor Morris, a Poland Professor, and Cadets from various countries. The panel discussed the impact of the current international situation on NATO, the EU. In the panel, Cadets could ask questions and further their understanding of the United Nations.
Takeaway from the day: The mornings task of settling a scenario international conflict mimicking the United Nations Security Council was certainly an enlightening experience that helped me to have a better grasp of International law and relations. As the leader of my group representing the nation of Ecuador, it was my task to give a speech to the rest of the audience to communicate my group’s decision during the simulation exercise. It was an extremely rewarding exercise, and the final panel in the evening was absolutely amazing. The individuals speaking on the panel were certainly qualified to discuss some of the current issues and conflicts our world faces today, and how we might understand it better. – Toni Adipietro.
