Symposium Organizers

The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) is an independent, nonpartisan conflict management center created by the US Congress to prevent and mitigate international conflict without resorting to violence. USIP works across the spectrum of international conflict prevention, management, and resolution, and helps societies in the period of post-conflict stabilization. The Center for Gender and Peacebuilding coordinates the gender-related work of the US Institute of Peace, as well as collaborates with national and international organizations, governments, the military and civil society on concerns related to gender, conflict, and peacebuilding.

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) is an independent international institute dedicated to research into conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament. Established in 1966, SIPRI provides data, analysis and recommendations, based on open sources, to policymakers, researchers, media and the interested public. SIPRI North America aims to bring new global perspectives to security and foreign policy debates across North America and strengthen cooperation between SIPRI and its transatlantic partners.

The Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) conducts research on the conditions for peaceful relations between states, groups and people. Founded in 1959, PRIO is an independent research institution known for its effective synergy of basic and policy- relevant research. In addition to such research, PRIO conducts graduate training and is engaged in the promotion of peace through conflict resolution, dialogue and reconciliation, public information and policymaking activities. Researchers at PRIO work to identify new trends in global conflict, as well as to formulate and document new understandings of and responses to armed conflict.

The Human Rights Center at Berkeley Law conducts research on war crimes and other serious violations of humanitarian law and human rights worldwide. Using evidence-based methods and innovative technologies, the center supports efforts to hold perpetrators accountable and to protect vulnerable populations. The center also trains students and advocates to document violations of human rights and to turn this information into effective action.

Symposium Sponsors

Established in 1944, The World Bank is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and has more than 9,000 employees in more than 100 offices worldwide. The World Bank is a vital source of financial and technical assistance to developing countries around the world. The World Bank is comprised of two institutions managed by 188 member countries: the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA). The IBRD aims to reduce poverty in middle-income and creditworthy poorer countries, while IDA focuses exclusively on the world’s poorest countries. These institutions are part of a larger body known as the World Bank Group.  

The UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict (SRSG) serves as the United Nation’s spokesperson and political advocate on conflict-related sexual violence and is chair of the network UN Action Against Sexual Violence in Conflict. The five priorities for the SRSG's mandate are (1) to end impunity for conflict-related sexual violence, (2) to empower women to seek redress, (3) to mobilize political ownership, (4) to increase recognition of rape and (5) to harmonise the UN's response. Under the leadership of Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues Melanne Verveer, the Secretary's Office of Global Women's Issues (S/GWI) in the United States Department of State seeks to ensure that women’s issues are fully integrated in the formulation and conduct of U.S. foreign policy. The Office of Global Women’s Issues works to promote stability, peace, and development by empowering women politically, socially, and economically around the world.

The Learning on Gender and Conflict in Africa Program (LOGiCA) is a multi- donor initiative that aims to contribute to peace and security in Sub-Saharan Africa by supporting gender-sensitive activities related to insecurity and violence in conflict-affected and post-conflict countries.

The Global Center on Conflict, Security and Development aims to serve as a global hub connecting those working in fragile and conflict affected situations across the world, as well as providing knowledge and resources. With offices in Washington, DC, Nairobi, Kenya, and the UN partnership office in New York, the Center represents a strategic shift in the way the World Bank is working with fragile and conflict-affected situations. Working with partners, the Center aims to strengthen the World Bank Group’s work with states facing situations of fragility or grappling with conflicts to ensure a faster and more flexible response, which is better informed by experiences on the ground.

The Open Society Foundations work to build vibrant and tolerant societies whose governments are accountable and open to the participation of all people. They seek to strengthen the rule of law; respect for human rights, minorities, and a diversity of opinions; democratically elected governments; and a civil society that helps keep government power in check. At the same time, they help to shape public policies that assure greater fairness in political, legal, and economic systems and safeguard fundamental rights. They also implement initiatives to advance justice, education, public health, and independent media. They build alliances across borders and continents on issues such as corruption and freedom of information.  Working in every part of the world, the Open Society Foundations place a high priority on protecting and improving the lives of people in marginalized communities. The International Women's Program works to advance women’s rights and gender equality in law and in practice. The program promotes and protects the rights of women and girls around the globe, particularly in places where good governance and respect for the rule of law have been weakened or destroyed by conflict. We aim to strengthen institutions that are responsive to and inclusive of women and to create conditions that allow women to control their own political, economic, and social development.

The essential task of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to work for Norway’s interests internationally: to safeguard the country’s freedom, security and prosperity. Norway’s interests are determined by such factors as its geographical location in a strategically important area, its open economy, its position as a coastal state and steward of substantial marine resources, and its extensive exports of oil and gas. The best way to promote Norway’s interests is to cooperate with like-minded countries. The Ministry works to promote peace and security, an international legal system, an economically just world order and sustainable development. Finding a solution to issues of this kind is in Norway’s interests too, while at the same time efforts in these areas are an expression of international solidarity. To view Norway's strategic plan on Women, peace, and security please click here.

The Peace Research Endowment aims to enhance research-based knowledge on peace and war, to stimulate debate and inform policy, and ultimately to contribute towards the creation of a world in which violence is the exception and conflicts are resolved peacefully. Established in 2009, the Peace Research Endowment is a non-profit organization independent of political, religious, or national interests. The Endowment’s activities are directed principally toward the academic community, with an emphasis on research that informs the policy and practitioner communities. It aims to stimulate research cooperation internationally through funding projects and programs – first and foremost the activities of the Peace Research Institute Oslo.

Founded in 1997, Instituto Promundo is a Brazilian NGO that seeks to promote gender equality and end violence against women, children and youth. Based in Rio de Janeiro, Promundo works locally, nationally and internationally to: conduct research related to gender equality and health; implement and evaluate programs that seek to promote positive changes in gender norms and behaviors among individuals, families and communities; and advocate for the integration of these initiatives and a perspective of gender equality in public policies. On February 1st, 2011, Promundo-US was opened in Washington, DC, USA.  Promundo-US is a separately incorporated NGO that collaborates with Instituto Promundo on international communication, joint advocacy initiatives and technical assistance to projects outside Brazil.  Promundo-US also coordinates global work of the MenEngage Alliance.

The vision of Sonke Gender Justice Network is a world in which men, women, and children can enjoy equitable, healthy, and happy relationships that contribute to the development of just and democratic societies. Founded in 2006, the Sonke Gender Justice Network is a South African-based NGO that works across Africa to strengthen government, civil society, and citizen capacity to support men and boys in taking action to promote gender equality, prevent domestic and sexual violence, and reduce the spread and impact of HIV and AIDS. Sonke has an expanding presence on the African continent and a growing international profile, through its involvement with the United Nations and a range of other international networks and affiliates.

In a world that is increasingly interrelated, Compton Foundation seeks to foster human and ecological security by addressing contemporary threats to these inalienable rights. We support responsible stewardship that respects the rights of future generations to a balanced and healthy ecology, both personal and global, allowing for the full richness of human experience. Established in 1946, Compton Foundation fosters positive and sustainable models of change. We are a family foundation based in the U.S. and working with a global perspective. To accomplish our mission we provide financial resources to galvanize the movement for transformative social change and justice, and our grant making totals over $4 million annually.

Creative envisions stable neighborhoods, communities and regions that can develop effective institutions to provide for their people, enabling them to overcome hardship and live peaceful and fulfilling lives. In 1977 in a Washington, D.C. basement, four women with diverse cultural backgrounds and a single passion for educational excellence and opportunity founded the enterprise that would become Creative Associates International. Collaboration on a project in early childhood development by the four inspired a company that began by focusing on domestic education and human development programs, with one of its first clients being the national early childhood education program, Head Start. As this domestic focus turned to international educational development and supporting communities in transition "Creative" would become synonymous with innovation, initiative, and flexibility.

Symposium Art

The mission of the Art Works Project is to use design and the arts to raise awareness of and educate the public about significant human rights and environmental issues. Art Works Projects (AWP) provides visual advocacy tools which produce action on human rights crises at the grassroots, media, and policy levels. Conceptualized and created in conjunction with established humanitarian and human rights advocacy organizations, AWP’s art and design exhibitions, books, recordings, films, and other initiatives provide opportunities for large numbers of the general population to engage in ending major human rights violations. In its first five years of existence, AWP’s agenda includes projects exposing genocide, extreme sexual violence against women, the global shortage of potable water, forced labor and human trafficking, and ethnic cleansing and anti-democracy actions. AWP selects topics which are the most intractable, the least covered in the mainstream media, and the most abusive for victims.

Leora Kahn is the founder and Executive Director of PROOF: Media for Social Justice. A photo editor for over 25 years, in 2006, she and a group of internationally known photojournalists decided to combine their skills and experiences to make an impact in the world. PROOF was born six months later. PROOF is dedicated to the power of visual artists to bear witness, and create images that can make the anonymous waves of human rights tragedies into personal and immediate calls to action. PROOF has brought together photographers, documentarians, academics, and journalists from different media sources in an alliance to reach out and educate with images that inspire and motivate change. PROOF produces exhibitions, publications, theatre and on-site activities in nations with some of the world’s most difficult recent histories.

 Special Thanks to Travel-On for their generous support facilitating travel for the Symposium. 

Official Travel Agency of The Missing Peace symposium Travel-On is a full service Travel Management Company serving Corporations, NGOs, and Government Contractors since 1974.