NATIONAL SECURITY FORUM

2021 Youth Security Forum

Youth Security Forum 25-28 May 2021 (Via Zoom)

The National Security Forum of Nevada, in partnership with the Washoe County School District, is hosting a virtual forum for students to engage national security thought leaders in discussions about timely topics that are shaping the world we live in now and the future they will have a chance to lead.

Format: Each national security thought leader will record a 10 min introduction to the topic in advance. Students should watch it before the session. Thought leaders will then engage students in a discussion of the topic with ample time for questions on both the topic and their career paths in national security.

Thank You Letter from WCSD

Youth Security Forum Flyer (PDF)

Introduction Videos and Speaker Bios

Topic 1. Domestic extremism in the post Jan 6th world?

Thought Leader – Dr. Liz Yates (Senior Researcher for Domestic Radicalization, START Center, University of Maryland, College Park, MD) (Speaker Bio PDF)

Session Time: Tuesday, May 25, 1:00 to 1:50 pm (PDT)

Introduction Video

Full Session Video


Topic 2. Climate security – conflict and migration

Thought Leader – Dr. Tegan Blaine (Senior Advisor for Environment and Conflict, U.S. Institute of Peace, based in Geneva, Switzerland) (Speaker Bio PDF)

Session Time: Wednesday, May 26, 8:00 to 8:50 am (PDT)

Introduction Video

Full Session Video


Topic 3. 4th Branch of government – the media, news deserts, and disinformation

Thought Leader – Mr. Jon Ralston (Founder & Editor, The Nevada Independent, Las Vegas, NV) (Speaker Bio PDF)

Session Time: Wednesday, May 26, 9:00 to 9:50 am (PDT)

Introduction Video

Full Session Video


Topic 4. Health security – COVID, India, and the next pandemic

Thought Leader – Dr. James Wilson (Founder & CEO, M2 Medical Intelligence, Reno, NV) (Speaker Bio PDF)

Session Time: Thursday, May 27, 1:00 to 1:50 pm (PDT)

Introduction Video

Full Session Video


Topic 5. Election security – what happens when disinformation runs for office

Thought Leader – Mr. Matthews (Protective Security Advisor for Nevada, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Agency, Carson City, NV) (Speaker Bio PDF)

Session Time: Wednesday, May 26, 10:00 to 10:50 am (PDT)

Introduction Video

Full Session Video


Topic 6. Hacks, more hacks, and counterhacks – who wins a cyber war?

Thought Leader – Mr. Matthew Devost (CEO & Co-Founder of OODA, LLC, McClean, VA) (Speaker Bio PDF)

Session Time: Tuesday, May 25, 9:00 to 9:50 am (PDT)

Introduction Video

Full Session Video


Topic 7. When governments fail – Myanmar’s downward spiral

Thought Leader – Dr. Antonia Neubauer (Founder, Myths & Mountains and READ Global, Incline Village, NV) (Speaker Bio PDF)

Session Time: Thursday, May 27, 10:00 to 10:50 am (PDT)

Introduction Video

Full Session Video


Topic 8. Peacebuilding in the time of “forever wars”

Thought Leader – Ms. Karen Decker (Visiting Fellow, U.S. Institute of Peace, former Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy, Kabul, Washington, DC) (Speaker Bio PDF)

Session Time: Thursday, May 27, 9:00 to 9:50 am (PDT)

Introduction Video

Full Session Video


Topic 9. When bad guys get nukes – the troublesome cases of Iran and North Korea

Thought Leader – Mr. James McDonnell, MSTS, LLC, former Assistant Secretary of Department of Homeland Security for Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction, based in Las Vegas, NV) (Speaker Bio PDF)

Session Time: Wednesday, May 26, 1:00 to 1:50 pm (PDT)

Introduction Video

Full Session Video


Schedule (all times are in Pacific Time):

Session TimeTue 25 MayWed 26 MayThu 27 May
8:00 –
8:50 am
 Topic 2: Climate Security – migration and conflict 
9:00 –
9:50 am
Topic 6: Cyber hacks and counterhacksTopic 3: 4th branch of governmentTopic 8: Peacebuilding post forever wars
10:00 – 10:50 amTopic 7: Myanmar – When governments failTopic 5: Election security and disinformationTopic 7: Myanmar – When governments fail
1:00 –
1:50 pm
Topic 1: Domestic extremism post Jan 6thTopic 9: When bad guys get nukesTopic 4: Health security – post COVID

Thank you to our generous sponsors!

We want to thank our sponsors for their generous support and making this forum possible.