Centers of Innovation

USIP's Centers of Innovation currently include the Rule of Law program, the Religion and Peacemaking program, and the Virtual Diplomacy Initiative. These Centers serve as engines of innovation and provide invaluable tools that cut across the entire conflict lifecycle (from prevention and mediation management, to post-conflict stabilization and reconstruction).

The Centers of Innovation are coordinated by Vice President Daniel Serwer and staffed by experts with experience in government, the military, NGOs, academia, and the private sector. Specifically, the Centers of Innovation:

• Provide professional expertise and support by providing advice, technical assistance, and training to the larger international and peacebuilding communities
• Work with the USIP's three Strategic Centers to develop and execute integrated strategies for conflict-specific work
• Identify lessons learned, best practices, and promising models within their areas of expertise
• Design innovative new programs and work with a wide array of partners to test and improve these programs

Possible new Centers of Innovation currently being contemplated include Media and Conflict, Political Economy of Conflict, and Diasporas and Conflict.