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What is the International Focus Programme (IFP)?
What is the International Focus Programme (IFP)?
The International Focus Programme (IFP) is ELSA's advocacy campaign aimed at raising awareness within the ELSA Network on a specific topic over a defined period of time. Through this programme, ELSA creates a platform in which law students and young lawyers can combine their efforts, engage in discussions, and participate in a variety of activities connected to a current and relevant area of law.
It was introduced in 1995 to provide the ELSA network with an opportunity to work together on different “hot legal topics”. The IFP topic is chosen by the International Council of ELSA and one IFP cycle lasts for 3 years.
Main objectives
Main objectives
The main objectives of the IFP are to utilise the unique ELSA Network in order to raise awareness among law students and young lawyers across borders. The programme further aims to create forums in which law students and young lawyers can come together to discuss contemporary legal topics. In addition, the IFP establishes a common objective towards which all Groups within the Network can work collectively. It also seeks to provide law students and young lawyers throughout Europe with a platform to express their diverse opinions and ideas on a selected topic. Through these activities, the IFP contributes to the realisation of ELSA’s vision of “a just world in which there is respect for human dignity and cultural diversity.”
History of past IFP topics
History of past IFP topics
“A Just World: A new role for lawyers, legal education and law in development” (1995 – 1997)
“The Law of Peace in the Year 2000 – current violations and effective enforcement of international law; the reform of international organisations” (1997 – 1999)
“Information Society – the Legal Challenges: Application of New Technologies, Protection of Individuals and the Legislative Response.” (2000 – 2002)
“Trade Law – a Way for Sustainable Development” (2003 – 2005)
“25 Years of Legal Development” (2006 – 2007)
“Intellectual Property Law” (2007 – 2010)
“Health Law” (2010 – 2013)
“Media Law” (2013 – 2016)
“Environmental Law” (2016 – 2019)
“Law and Technology” (2019-2022)
“Law and Sustainability” (2022-2025)
“Law and Security” (2025-2028)
Each year of the cycle will have a specific yearly subtopic under the broader theme. The yearly subtopics serve as further inspiration and guidance, however, projects on other IFP subtopics count as IFP events as well, therefore the yearly subtopics are not strictly mandatory.
The yearly subtopics for the current IFP on Law and Security are the following:
2025/2026: Legal Challenges of Cybersecurity in the Digital Era
2026/2027: International Security and Humanitarian Law
2027/2028: Disinformation and the Law: Security and Freedom of Expression
IFP Implementation
IFP Implementation
IFP implementation within Local and National groups
IFP implementation within Local and National groups
The IFP may be implemented across all Areas of ELSA by integrating its topic into the events, activities, and initiatives organised throughout the Network. When applied consistently through projects centred around a common theme, the programme has the potential to influence the general opinions and perspectives of law students and young lawyers. In this way, the IFP enables ELSA to create an impact on students, young lawyers, and civil society while fostering dialogue among different stakeholders. Furthermore, the programme strengthens the collective work and achievements of all ELSA Groups and enhances the visibility of the ideas and opinions of law students.
As Local Groups have direct contact with members and civil society, they perform the most important part of the IFP implementation by organising projects on the IFP topic. However, awareness of the programme and its existence as well as proper knowledge management may at times be limited among them. National Groups of ELSA therefore bear the responsibility of promoting awareness of the IFP and its current topic, at minimum by forwarding all relevant information received from ELSA International to their Local Groups.
National Groups may further inform and engage Local Groups through various initiatives, including presentations on the IFP during National Meetings, the provision of training sessions on the programme and its subject matter as well as other initiatives aimed at keeping Local Groups informed throughout the term.
In addition, National Groups may organise their own events and projects connected to the IFP. For National Groups without Local Groups, this responsibility remains equally significant and should be fulfilled in the same manner.
IFP implementation within areas
IFP implementation within areas
Although the primary responsibility for coordinating the IFP lies within AA, all areas of ELSA are involved in its implementation. In practice, IFP-related events have frequently been organised within the areas of AA and S&C, which is why S&C is also included in discussions concerning the programme. Nevertheless, as the IFP covers, as already mentioned, a wide range of potential project opportunities, this does not preclude the remaining areas, also not even the supporting areas from actively engaging with and contributing to the IFP as well.
For more detailed information, especially on a potential division of responsibilities within the different areas, please feel free to take a look into the IFP Outline 2025 - 2028.
Please keep in mind, while promoting an IFP project, to use the specific Marketing Kit provided by ELSA International on the Officers' Portal.
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