In support of the Evidence Act and as part of the U.S. national security architecture, USIP is carrying out its own learning agenda. Peacebuilding has long been viewed as too messy and complex for evidence-based approaches — but USIP’s mix of research and practice belies that assumption.
![A project staffer explains the relevance of the dialogues to participants at the Women Preventing Violent Extremism community dialogues organized by USIP's Partner Sisters Without Borders in Uganda.](/sites/default/files/styles/image_with_caption/public/WPVE-Dialogues-Uganda-learning-agenda-project.jpg?itok=mIXQHF6p)
The USIP Learning Agenda is a joint venture of our thematic, regional and evaluation centers as well as a partnership between our own experts and leading academic researchers. DevLab@Penn (formerly of Duke University) is supporting all aspects of our learning agenda. Specifically, the agenda includes 12 strategic questions that we believe are critical to international peacebuilding today and that were formulated in consultation with experts within and beyond USIP:
Evidence Review Papers
![External Support for Nonviolent Action paper cover](/sites/default/files/styles/summary_image/public/External-Support-NVA-cover.jpg?itok=1bKlZNsA)
![Strategic Religious Engagement in Peace Processes cover](/sites/default/files/styles/summary_image/public/Strategic-Religious-Engagement-Peace-Processes-cover.jpg?itok=L2_OKQ1p)
![Women’s Participation in Peacebuilding in Contexts of Pervasive Insecurity and Natural Resource Competition cover](/sites/default/files/styles/summary_image/public/Women-Peacebuilding-Pervasive-Insecurity-Natural-Resource-Competition-cover.jpg?itok=W8o5qxBe)
![Evidence for Peacebuilding Project Design Evidence Review Paper Cover](/sites/default/files/styles/summary_image/public/Evidence-for-Peacebuilding-Project-Design-Evidence-Review-Paper-Cover-JPG.jpg?itok=ZbquURPh)
![Party Viability Factors in Peace Negotiations Evidence Review Paper Cover](/sites/default/files/styles/summary_image/public/USIP-Evidence-Review-Paper_Bloom-Cover.jpg?itok=v6LHFZJK)
![Preventing Violent Extremism evidence review paper cover](/sites/default/files/styles/summary_image/public/2023-03/preventing-and-countering-violent-extremism-cover.jpg?itok=eJf3Xy0_)
Preventing Violent Extremism
Can promoting community resilience alleviate violent extremism?
![The Application of Systems Science to Peacebuilding paper cover](/sites/default/files/styles/summary_image/public/2023-03/application-of-systems-science-to-peacebuilding-cover.jpg?itok=fVsbp7ux)
Systems Thinking
Can systems science make practical contributions that help peacebuilding practitioners and decision makers address violent conflict more effectively?
![Building Trust in Peace Mediation USIP Evidence Review Paper Gehrig Cover](/sites/default/files/styles/summary_image/public/2023-03/usip-evidence-review-paper_gehrig-cover.jpg?itok=k7p0RKqF)
![Security Sector Governance and Reform paper cover](/sites/default/files/styles/summary_image/public/2023-04/postconflict-security-sector-reform-evidence-review-paper-cover.jpg?itok=s56P7Vd2)
![Track 2 Dialogues paper cover](/sites/default/files/styles/summary_image/public/2023-04/track-2-dialogues-evidence-review-paper-cover_0.jpg?itok=gP0QxOLH)
![Support Structures for Sustained Reconciliation paper cover](/sites/default/files/styles/summary_image/public/2023-04/support-structures-for-sustained-reconciliation-evidence-review-paper-cover.jpg?itok=xh4AsQ-C)
![Fostering Meaningful Youth Participation in International Peacebuilding evidence review paper cover](/sites/default/files/styles/summary_image/public/Fostering-Meaningful-Youth-Participation-in-International-Peacebuilding-Evidence-Review-paper-cover.jpg?itok=mqEByV7F)