USIP specialists discussed the tools and resources available online for peace-building with 60 university and 20 high school students, visiting the United States sponsored by the Department of State under the Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program.

USIP specialists discussed the tools and resources available online for peace-building with 60 university and 20 high school students, visiting the United States sponsored by the Department of State under the Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program. The students visited the Institute August 13, 2009, shortly before returning to their homes in Tikrit, Basra, Mosul, and Baghdad.

Staff members participated in a panel and discussed the varied Institute activities in Iraq or otherwise available to Iraqis.  This included grants, online courses in Arabic and English, peace and human rights education, and social networking for Iraqi youth.

When asked “what does peace-building mean?” the students answered: “The diversity we have in Iraq; to build bridges between people who have tensions or conflicts, and to open channels of discussion between different groups.”  Students said they hoped to continue to have a continuing relationship with the Institute, such as with the growing Network of Iraqi Facilitators trained by USIP, and while doing their own work in conflict resolution.

Education and Training Center/International Deputy Director Ted Feifer and Program Assistant Rebecca Kullman coordinated the event.

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