On June 2, 2015, the U.S Institute of Peace and the FP Group, publisher of Foreign Policy magazine and foreignpolicy.com, hosted the fourth installment of PeaceGame. This PeaceGame tackled one of the most challenging of issues confronted by the U.S. government and stakeholders worldwide: the global rise of radical groups and violent extremism.

Conflict Analysis & Prevention;  Violent Extremism

The U.S. Institute of Peace, the African Union and the African Ambassadors Group co-hosted an event marking Africa Day on May 26 at the U.S. Institute of Peace. This event highlighted women’s roles in peacebuilding and development, and marked the progress made and the major risks and threats remaining to achieve the goals of Agenda 2063.

Gender;  Democracy & Governance

With Colombian public support waning for the peace talks between the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the peace process can be strengthened by finding ways to engage a broader set of civil society stakeholders.  One important group excluded so far, the Afro-Colombian population, is working to have its needs and proposals heard at the peace table.  How can Afro-Colombians and other excluded groups enhance their participation in the process, and what are the risks if they cannot? The U.S. Institute of Peace held an event on May 26 that answered these questions in the Colombia Peace Forum series.

Conflict Analysis & Prevention;  Peace Processes;  Mediation, Negotiation & Dialogue

As lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) communities campaign for constitutional rights across the world, USIP gathered the United States’ new special envoy on the issue, along with international LGBTI activists, to discuss the movement and its future. Ambassador Randy Berry joined campaigners from South Africa, Ireland, Fiji, and Grenada in the May 26th forum, which was co-hosted by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA).

Justice, Security & Rule of Law

The President of Tunisia, His Excellency Beji Caid Essebsi, gave remarks and took questions at the U.S. Institute of Peace on May 20, during his first visit to the United States since taking office in December. As Tunisia works to keep its largely peaceful transition on track, President Essebsi addressed the challenges Tunisia is confronting and the opportunities it offers.

Conflict Analysis & Prevention;  Environment;  Education & Training;  Economics

Around the globe, the struggle between civil society voices and government repression is giving rise to violence, extremism and toxic politics. Professionals in peacebuilding and in governance/democracy recognize the need to work together on issues of governance, legitimacy, fragility and disenfranchisement that underlie many violent conflicts.

Conflict Analysis & Prevention;  Fragility & Resilience;  Justice, Security & Rule of Law

Building international peace and security requires women’s participation and leadership. That principle underlies the work of the U.S. Institute of Peace and is the focus of its annual Sheikha Fatima Lectureship. The 2015 event, on May 11, Third Annual Sheikha Fatima Lectureship addressed "A Shared Global Vision for Women and Peacebuilding.”

Gender;  Fragility & Resilience

On May 6, 2015, the Atlantic Council and the U.S. Institute of Peace welcomed H.E. Masoud Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq on his first visit to the U.S. in three years. The President discussed on the challenges and priorities of Iraqi Kurdistan in the war against ISIS, the Kurdistan region’s relations with the U.S. and the future of the broader Middle East.

Conflict Analysis & Prevention;  Violent Extremism;  Democracy & Governance