Working in War-Ravaged Societies

Fifty years after its establishment as an American force for world peace and friendship, the Peace Corps has evolved, branching out to work in post-conflict countries such as Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Uganda, Kenya and Guinea. These complex environments create unique challenges for Peace Corps Volunteers and the organization that must ensure their safety and effectiveness. What are the challenges for operating in these environments? How might individuals be best prepared for service in war-ravaged societies?

The United States Institute of Peace has been operating in and training others to work in post-conflict conditions for decades. USIP and the Peace Corps partnered to commemorate the Peace Corps’ 50th anniversary with this panel discussion on post-conflict environments and the requirements for preparing and protecting volunteers who serve in them.

Speakers

• Aaron Williams, Welcoming remarks
  Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, Dominican Republic
  Director, Peace Corps
• Dr. Richard Solomon, Welcoming remarks
  President, United States Institute of Peace
• Congressman Sam Farr (D-CA), Remarks
  Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, Colombia
  United States House of Representatives
• Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA), Remarks
  Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, Ethiopia
  United States House of Representatives
• Marc Hanson, Panelist
  Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, Honduras
  Refugees International
• Sean Kane, Panelist
  United States Institute of Peace
• Alison Milofsky, Panelist
  Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, Slovak Republic
  United States Institute of Peace
• Colin Thomas-Jensen, Panelist
  Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, Ethiopia and Mozambique
  United States Department of State
• Krista Rigalo, Moderator
  Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, Philippines
  Peace Corps

Explore Further

• Money Spent on Peacebuilding is an “Investment”
  News Feature by Steven Ruder | October 28, 2011
• Learn more about USIP's Academy for Conflict Management and Peacebuilding
• Read the Guide for Participants in Peace, Stability, and Relief Operations
• Learn more about USIP's Working Group on Civil-Military Relations in Nonpermissive Environments

Related Academy Courses

• Foundations of Conflict Analysis
• Building Bridges through Intergroup Dialogue
• Social Reconstruction and Human Security
• USIP's Online Courses