Dan Kristian N. Rivera, a master’s student in Peace Studies under the Religion and Peace Studies Department’s graduate program at Silliman University (SU), has been selected as one of 10 delegates to the 15th General Conference of the Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia Pacific (CSCAP), scheduled for December 1–3, 2026, at the Grand Hyatt Manila.
Rivera will join the Pacific Forum Young Leaders delegation, a network of emerging professionals in international affairs, foreign policy, and regional security. He was selected for the fully funded opportunity from hundreds of applicants.
The conference will bring together scholars, policy experts, former government officials, and security practitioners from across the Asia-Pacific region, including representatives from the Philippines, United States, China, Japan, Australia, and South Korea.
Established in 1993, CSCAP serves as a regional platform for Track II diplomacy, which facilitates dialogue among nongovernmental experts, academics, and policy practitioners on security concerns and other sensitive regional issues. These discussions complement official diplomatic processes and contribute to policy recommendations aimed at strengthening regional cooperation.
This year’s conference will focus on pressing political, economic, and security challenges in the Indo-Pacific, including maritime governance, economic and national security, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, transnational security threats, and nuclear non-proliferation.
Through plenary sessions, expert presentations, panel discussions, and breakout sessions, delegates will exchange perspectives, share research, and explore approaches to addressing regional security challenges.
As part of the Pacific Forum Young Leaders delegation, Rivera will also undertake a post-conference writing requirement, providing an opportunity to reflect on the discussions and contribute to policy-oriented discourse.
Rivera’s participation will provide an opportunity to engage with regional experts and emerging leaders on issues closely related to his graduate studies in peace and security.