ABOUT US
The Yale Foreign Policy Initiative is the premier student-run undergraduate international affairs think tank and strategy consulting group at Yale, dedicated to connecting students from all backgrounds with opportunities in foreign policy. We are a nonprofit, public service driven organization committed to developing research-backed solutions aimed at addressing some of the world's most pressing international challenges. As a foreign policy-based student organization, we seek to expand access to foreign policy opportunities to students from all backgrounds, cultivating future leaders in natural security, diplomacy, global health, human rights, international law, and international economics.
MISSION
Our mission is to inspire, educate, and equip future leaders in foreign policy, security, intelligence, diplomacy, human rights, global health, and international law by partnering with governments, NGO's, and think tanks to create research-backed policy solutions.
Our Model
To offer a wide variety of experiences in foreign policy to students at Yale, YFPI is organized into 3 policy centers:
1. National Security and Foreign Relations
2. Global Development (Human Rights, Global Health, Climate Security, etc)
3. Economic Security and Technology
Policy Projects & Strategic Consulting
To provide undergraduate students hands-on exposure to the foreign policy landscape, each semester YFPI partners with mentors affiliated with government agencies, multinational organizations, NGO's, think tanks, and academic institutions to offer research-backed policy recommendations. Policy projects span vital fields such as global health, defense, human rights, international economics, and national security.
International Dialogue Series
One of our goals here at YFPI is for students to gain global perspectives on critical issues shaping our world today. To achieve that, YFPI connects Yale students with experts and other students from around the world. We do this through our International Dialogue Series. Each month will have a new country of focus in which students will do a deep dive and connect with others in that chosen country. Over the course of a month, Yale students meet with international experts, have conversations with students at universities in other countries, and construct a publication based on the lessons and perspectives they have gained.
PROJECT SPOTLIGHTS:
A Note About Our Projects:
The Yale Foreign Policy Initiative (YFPI) is an independent, student-led organization that operates separately from Yale University. YFPI serves as a platform for Yale students to engage in research projects by facilitating connecting with scholars and experts in the field of foreign policy. While YFPI collaborates with esteemed scholars affiliated with various institutions, it is important to clarify that YFPI does not represent Yale University or any other academic institution. YFPI's partnerships are with individual scholars and experts, not with their respective institutions. Any views, opinions, or research findings presented by YFPI or its members are solely those of the individuals involved and do not reflect the views or endorsements of Yale University or any other institution. YFPI aims to foster learning and research opportunities for its members but does not have formal affiliations with any academic institutions beyond its status as a student-led initiative of Yale University. For further inquiries or clarifications, please contact us directly through official channels.
Our Past Projects
In the past, our policy projects have featured mentors from the World Health Organization, Council on Foreign Relations, United States Institute of Peace, Carnegie Endowment, Naval War College, Stanford Hoover Institution, U.S. Air Force, the Department of Defense—including U.S. Special Operations Command, U.S. Africa Command, and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency—as well as the German Marshall Fund, Yale Law School, Harvard Kennedy School, RAND Corporation, etc.