As a national, nonpartisan, independent Institute, the U.S. Institute of Peace draws on our exceptional convening power to create opportunities for diverse audiences to exchange knowledge, experiences, and ideas necessary for creative solutions to difficult challenges. We serve as an important, neutral platform for bringing together government and nongovernment, diplomacy, security, and development actors, and participants across political views. The Institute’s events help shape public policy and priorities to advance peaceful solutions to conflict and strengthen international security.
Tunisian Foreign Minister Khemaies Jhinaoui discussed the U.S. partnership and Tunisia’s own development and influence in the region, in a discussion at the U.S. Institute of Peace on Tuesday, March 14.
When Northern Ireland’s combatants finally made peace in the 1990s, they did so on a broad foundation of grassroots reconciliation and economic development work, built over more than a decade by the International Fund for Ireland. On March 13, the U.S. Institute of Peace and the Embassy of Ireland gathered former government officials, peacebuilding practitioners and scholars to examine what worked in advancing peace in Northern Ireland—and what lessons might be applied to the difficult process of peacemaking and peacebuilding between Israelis and Palestinians. Former Senator George Mitchell, who served as an envoy in both peace processes, was the keynote speaker.
The U.S. Institute of Peace on Monday, March 13, hosted a discussion with experts about ways to ensure equality in reconstruction budgets and public finance institutions.
On March 7, the U.S. Institute of Peace hosted a discussion with analysts and former diplomats about the viability of the two-state model, and the possibility of alternatives for a sustainable peace.
In countries worldwide, governmental and private agencies run programs to prevent violent conflicts and reduce their causes—notably broad social injustices, corruption and human rights abuses. But how effective are these programs? On March 7, a consortium of peacebuilding organizations presented improved ways to measure and maximize the impact of programs to prevent violence, stabilize conflict zones and build peace and security abroad.
The prototype of a woman in a war zone is still dominated by the image of a passive victims or, more recently at least, that of an activist working for peace and equal rights. Rarely do researchers and assistance efforts consider the unique role and impact of women agents of violence—combatants, spies, supporters. On March 1, the U.S. Institute of Peace held an event looking at examples from World War II, the Soviet-Afghan War and jihadi organizations to examine this blind spot in our analysis of war—and how it hampers our responses.
Georgetown University's annual Trainor Award and Lecture recognizes excellence in the conduct of diplomacy. It has been awarded to senior American diplomats and distinguished public servants from around the world. On Feb. 16, the U.S. Institute of Peace hosted Amb. Zeid as he received the annual Trainor Award from Georgetown University’s Institute for the Study of Diplomacy. Amb. Zeid spoke on “The Impossible Diplomacy of Human Rights.”
On February 14, the U.S. Institute of Peace held a conversation with Douglas Lute — former Ambassador to NATO, retired Army lieutenant general, and National Security Council official in both the Bush and Obama administrations — to explore the changing security landscape in the 21st century.
Pakistan’s minister of planning and economic development, Ahsan Iqbal—the cabinet official overseeing CPEC in his country—discussed this massive project at the U.S. Institute of Peace on February 3. Mr. Iqbal spoke to Pakistan’s outlook on its progress, its potential challenges and its implications for U.S.-Pakistan relations.
Specialists in peace processes have understood in recent years that a vital element for ending or preventing warfare is inclusion—ensuring that all groups in a society have their voices heard and their critical concerns met. But what are we learning about how to do that, and do it better? On January 31, veterans of peace processes from Nepal to South Sudan to El Salvador to Turkey discussed the lessons offered by their recent experiences.