Defense ministers, academics, and security analysts from around the world meet in Halifax for a three-day summit to explore new "holistic" ways of making the world a safer place to live.

 

The Halifax International Security Forum "will look at international security from a number of different angles," said Will Bohlen, spokesman for the German Marshall Fund, which organized the event.

 

Canada's Defense Minister Peter MacKay will kick off the summit with an opening address on Friday. Panelists include Canada's central bank governor Mark Carney, Denmark's Minister of Defense Gitte Lillelund Bech, US Senator John McCain, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, Supreme Allied Commander for NATO transformation Stephane Abrial, former secretary of state Condoleezza Rice and Palestinian Economic Council Minister Mohamed Shtayyeh.

 

Others discussions planned will focus on securing cyberspace and the airways, in addition to emergency humanitarian responses and how these affect global security.