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Peace and Pandemics

Stories of resilience from USIP's global network of peacebuilders

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As the world grapples with the COVID-19 crisis, inspirational stories of on-the-ground peacebuilding, nonviolent activism, and community leadership are all the more valuable—as practical examples for other peacebuilders around the world, as reaffirmations of USIP’s commitment to our core mission, and as beacons of hope and progress in a turbulent time.

Read USIP expert's analysis of the intersections between the coronavirus pandemic and conflict »

A student participates in a discussion during a gender ethics class at the University of Maiduguri, in Nigeria, Dec. 2, 2017. (Adam Ferguson/The New York Times)

Nigeria: Police in Jos Adapt to COVID-Driven Rise in Sexual Violence

Dialogues bring together police and community to devise approaches for addressing gender-based violence amid the pandemic.
In Caracas in 2017, Maria (left) and colleagues in the Green Cross Brigade rush to help a person injured by riot police during mass protests against the government. (Manuel Rivas)

COVID Menaces Venezuela, Medical Students Respond

Amid conflict and a shattered health system, medical students build healing and unity.
Tunisians wait in line to enter a grocery store amid COVID-19 lockdown measures. March 27, 2020. (Brahim Guedich/Wikimedia Commons)

Preventing Conflict During the Pandemic in Southern Tunisia

As tensions flared over lockdown measures, local peacebuilders help rebuild trust between citizens and government.
South Sudanese children carry water for their families at sunset in a camp for people displaced by warfare. About 39 percent of South Sudan’s 11 million people have been uprooted amid the country’s violence. (www.geoffpugh.com/Flickr)

In South Sudan, Civic Activists Take On COVID

Amid violence and weak governance, local groups organize against the virus—and for a sustainable peace.
Students participate in distance learning during the pandemic, April 28, 2020. USIP’s Peace Teachers have had to pivot to new forms of teaching like this as social distancing protocols are being observed. (Department of Defense)

Amid the Pandemic, Teaching Peace Remains Vital

Two USIP Peace Teachers explain how, amid global turmoil, the lessons of peacebuilding can inspire students to build a better world.
Gatwal Gatkuoth asks advice from the Dalai Lama on building peace amid civil war. Gatkuoth was among 25 young peacebuilders from nations facing violence who were hosted by USIP in 2017 for a dialogue with the religious leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner.

An African Activist Builds Peace with Youth—and Refugees

But Uganda’s progressive refugee policies face financial pressures, and now COVID.
Justice and Security Dialogue participants in Casamance pose after the first dialogue session, March 5, 2020. (Pierre Ndecky/USIP)

In Casamance, Dialogue Helps Battle Coronavirus and Build Trust

Decades of conflict in the Senegalese region have led to damaged security-civilian relations—but that’s changing at just the right time.
A vital highway for western Libya climbs the escarpment from Arab-populated plains to the ethnic Amazigh city of Nalut. Libyan civic leaders, supported by USIP, are working to end years of conflict between the two locales. (Anchishkyn/CC License 3.0)

Amid Libyan Crisis, Two Hostile Towns Build a Basis for Peace

Old foes in the mountains find a way to cooperate, despite land disputes, civil war and COVID.

Generation Change Fellows: Action for Change Amid the Pandemic

USIP's Generation Change Fellows program connects young leaders worldwide with the peacebuilding training and global community they need to help transform their communities. Amid the pandemic, many of these fellows have used skills and resources from the program to find creative ways to take action for change.

Rebecca Jibi

Rebecca Jibi

In South Sudan, Rebecca’s media campaign shares COVID-19 preventive measures with her community.
Reech Malual

Reech Malual

Reech counters hate speech in South Sudan with social media campaigns like this video.
Tunde Ogunyale

Tunde Ogunyale

In Nigeria, Tunde is using social media to inspire growth and reflection in others throughout the pandemic
Daniella Liendo

Daniella Liendo

Daniella virtually connects patients and medical specialists in Venezuela and helps provide meals for healthcare workers
Faten Khalfallah Hammouda

"Extend Your Hand to Save Our Land"

Generation Change Fellow

Faten Khalfallah Hammouda’s “Extend your hand to save our land” initiative has helped create over 1,300 protective face shields, masks and medical gowns for hospitals in Tunisia through 3D printing. “The skills I gained from the leadership training and conflict resolution have helped me a lot,” Faten said of our Generation Change Fellowship Program.

Latest Publications

إطار بناء السلام التركيز على الشباب

Friday, May 3, 2024

By: Rebecca Ebenezer-Abiola

Read in English Leer en español إطار بناء السلام المتمحور حول الشباب هو دليل وظيفي يقترح نهجا عمليا للتركيز على الشباب في تدخلات بناء السلام. يطبق هذا الدليل مفهوم مشاركة الشباب، بدءا من المبادئ الأس

Type: Tools for Peacebuilding

Education & Training;  Youth

A Public Perceptions Survey of China in Venezuela

A Public Perceptions Survey of China in Venezuela

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

By: Henry Tugendhat;  Mark Feierstein

This discussion paper presents and analyzes original data gathered in June 2023 on Venezuelan perceptions of China and the United States. The results show that China’s standing in Venezuela has declined in absolute terms and relative to the United States, which is commensurate with trends elsewhere in Latin America. Furthermore, it suggests the orientation of Venezuela’s foreign policy—including forging close ties to China and alienating the United States—is inconsistent with Venezuelan public preferences. Venezuelans, however, are not fully satisfied with the policy approach of either China or the United States toward Venezuela.

Type: Discussion Paper

Global Policy

Why Early Warnings Are Critical for Climate Action and Conflict Prevention

Why Early Warnings Are Critical for Climate Action and Conflict Prevention

Tuesday, November 19, 2024

By: Brittany Croll;  Cassandra Schneider

Amid a changing climate, understanding the interplay between extreme environmental events and conflict is only growing more important. Droughts, floods and other natural disasters can exacerbate socioeconomic vulnerabilities, highlight weaknesses in governance, disrupt livelihoods and increase perceptions of marginalization.

Type: Analysis

Environment;  Violent Extremism

Georges Fauriol on the Ouster of Haiti’s Interim Prime Minister

Georges Fauriol on the Ouster of Haiti’s Interim Prime Minister

Monday, November 18, 2024

By: Georges Fauriol

In firing the country’s interim prime minister, Haiti’s transition presidential council “generated a fair amount of concern” over whether the country could stabilize governance to meet the timeline for elections in early 2026, says USIP’s Georges Fauriol, adding: “The outlook doesn’t look all that positive.”

Type: Podcast

Russian Interference in the 2024 Moldovan Presidential Election and Constitutional Referendum

Russian Interference in the 2024 Moldovan Presidential Election and Constitutional Referendum

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

By: Donald N. Jensen, Ph.D.

Donald Jensen, senior advisor for Russia and Europe at the U.S. Institute of Peace, testified on November 12, 2024, before the U.S. House of Representatives Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission) briefing on “Moldova’s European Future.”

Type: Congressional Testimony

Global Elections & Conflict;  Global Policy

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