Recognizing Excellence: PfPC Contributor Awards and Connections Athena Award

The Partnership for Peace Consortium (PfPC) has long been a platform for academic collaboration, security policy advancements, and military education excellence. This year, we celebrate the individuals whose dedication and expertise have significantly contributed to these fields through the PfPC Contributor Awards and the Connections Athena Award.

PfPC Contributor Awards: Honoring Commitment and Impact

As the PfPC is a volunteer organization, the PfPC Contributor Award recognizes those that have truly gone above and beyond in service to their respective working groups. These individuals dedicated extra time outside of normal meetings and conferences to ensure the success of these groups. These individuals have been recognized and nominated by their working group chairs.

ADL Working Group (ADLWG)

Dr. Greta Keremidchieva
A founding member of ADLWG, Dr. Keremidchieva has been instrumental in shaping the group’s direction, authoring critical information papers, and ensuring robust coordination among allies and partners. Her enduring dedication makes her a pillar of the ADL community.

Connections Editorial Board

Dr. Constantinos Kerigan-Kyrou
Dr. Kerigan-Kyrou has significantly influenced Connections through his guest-editing of three special editions and conducting nearly a dozen peer reviews. His active engagement has enhanced the journal’s academic rigor and global impact.

Conflict Studies Working Group (CSWG)

Prof. Dr. Jan Hoffenaar
With over two decades of service to CSWG, Dr. Hoffenaar has been a driving force behind scientific research, policy development, and international collaborations. His expertise in Cold War and Dutch history has shaped key military history publications.

Defense Education Enhancement Program (DEEP)

LTC Stasys Paldunas
LTC Paldunas played a crucial role in leading DEEP Ukraine, orchestrating 237 events in 128 locations. His efforts modernized military curricula, enhanced faculty development, and strengthened NATO interoperability.

Education Development Working Group

Dr. Iryna Lysychkina
Dr. Lysychkina co-led the Faculty Development Group, delivering 48 workshops globally and pioneering innovative PME curricula. Her mentorship in Ukrainian defense education has had a lasting impact.

Regional Stability in the South Caucasus

Dr. Frederic Labarre
As Chair of the study group, Dr. Labarre revitalized academic work, fostered Track 2 diplomacy, and edited key publications, advancing security dialogue in the region.

Regional Stability in South East Europe

Dr. Lulzim Peci & Dr. Miodrag Milićević
Their Kosovo-Serbia workshop in 2024 was a landmark event, fostering cooperation in a politically sensitive environment. Their commitment to peace and democracy is commendable.

Women, Peace, and Security

Ms. Kristine St-Pierre
Ms. St-Pierre played a pivotal role in developing the WPS in PME Facilitator Handbook and integrating active learning methods into WPS workshops, enhancing gender perspectives in security studies.

Connections Athena Award: Recognizing Outstanding Scholarship

The Connections Athena Award honors the most impactful article published in Connections: The Quarterly Journal. The winners include:

🏆 2022: Dr. Stephen Blank – The Critical Black Sea Zone
🏆2023: Dr. Andrii Lapkin – State and Personal Responsibility: War Crimes, Crimes of Aggression, and Genocide in Ukraine
🏆2024: LTC Falk Tettweiler – Strategic Competition and the Battle of Narratives: A Sociopsychological Perspective

These scholars have provided critical insights into contemporary security challenges, contributing to global policy discussions.

A Community of Excellence

The PfPC continues to thrive thanks to the dedication and expertise of its members. Their work not only advances academic discourse but also strengthens international security cooperation. We extend our deepest appreciation to this year’s honorees and look forward to their continued contributions!

You can watch the video of the award presentation below