The Consultative Forum on International Security Policy has been described as a "sham".
Protests are set to coincide with the beginning of the four day event in Cork today.
There'll be discussions on multiple topics, including Ireland's policy of military neutrality.
People Before Profit's Paul Murphy says the forum isn't balanced whatsoever:
"It is a sham with a predetermined outcome.
"We have a 5:1 breakdown in terms of the speakers - five times as many speakers against neutrality and in favour of militarisation as there are speakers defending neutrality."
