For Immediate Release, September 10, 2012
Contacts:
Sharon Witherell, IIE, (212) 984-5380
Allison Sturma, USIP, (202) 429-4725

WASHINGTON – The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) and the Institute of International Education (IIE) announced today that they are launching U.S. Institute of Peace Public Education for Peacebuilding Support. Through this initiative, administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE), USIP will support American colleges, universities and public libraries to enable them to hold events that advance and promote the understanding of peacebuilding and international conflict resolution.

USIP is an independent, nonpartisan institution established and funded by Congress to increase the nation’s capacity to manage international conflict without violence. By supporting events across the country that cover a wide range of peace and conflict mitigation topics, USIP aims to contribute in a significant way to the national conversation on addressing and preventing international conflict.

USIP will provide up to $2,000 in support to approximately 250 institutions over the next year. Organizations can apply for support starting today, with a deadline of November 1, 2012. The recipients from the first application cycle will be announced in December 2012, and the peacebuilding themed events will take place in the Spring 2013 academic semester. The initiative will support a wide variety of events which address international conflict and its resolution, including lectures, educational or training workshops, speaker programs, and library programs.

Events that receive USIP Public Education for Peacebuilding Support will address a wide range of themes, such as gender, media, science and technology, sustainable economics, nonviolent conflict resolution, international and regional organizations, post-conflict transitions, and negotiation and mediation. Events will also cover country and region specific topics.

“We are pleased to be partnering with IIE on this timely and important national public education initiative,” said Richard H. Solomon, President of the United States Institute of Peace. “In light of the persistence of international violent conflict, the potential threats to global peace, and the growing impact that such events have on all of our lives, this initiative will generate new opportunities to deepen public understanding about the daunting challenges of and promising approaches to managing conflict and building peace around the world.”

“IIE is honored to collaborate with the U.S. Institute of Peace on this new support initiative,” said IIE President Allan E. Goodman. “USIP’s Public Education for Peacebuilding Support will provide important platforms for dialogue concerning international peacebuilding and conflict resolution, engaging communities across the nation in addressing some of the key issues of our time.”

To apply or for more information about USIP Public Education for Peacebuilding Support, please visit www.iie.org/usipsupport or email usipsupport@iie.org.

United States Institute of Peace
The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) is our country’s global conflict management center. Created by Congress to be independent and nonpartisan, USIP works to prevent, mitigate, and resolve international conflict through nonviolent means. Learn more at www.usip.org.

Institute of International Education
The Institute of International Education is a world leader in the international exchange of people and ideas. An independent, not-for-profit organization founded in 1919, IIE has network of 18 offices worldwide and over 1,000 member institutions. IIE designs and implements programs of study and training for students, educators, young professionals and trainees from all sectors with funding from government agencies, foundations, and corporations. IIE also conducts policy research and program evaluations, and provides advising and counseling on international education and opportunities abroad. www.iie.org