Programs

The Institute seeks to present a balanced approach to its work relating to Arab-Israeli relations by supporting research, programs and grants that improve understanding, develop capacity and analyze the issues in ways that can be useful to all parties who are seeking peace. 

 

These experts work on active conflicts, supporting training and education, developing tools for practitioners and identifying best practices for ending violence.

 

 

Iraq elections Photo Credit: (Moises Saman/The New York Times)   (NYT Photos)

Peace doesn't automatically return when the guns stop firing or an agreement is signed. This team works to advise newly-forming governments and institutions, promote and maintain community reconciliation, and help different groups on the ground to coordinate their efforts to maintain security and provide services.

Photo of ceremony at Colombia women's ecumenical peace conference

In November 2008, USIP supported a joint-initiative of the Conferencia de Religiosos y Religiosas de Colombia, the organizing body of Catholic men’s and women’s religious orders, and Justapaz, a Menonite organization, to convene a four-day workshop outside of Bogota for Catholic and Protestant women peacemakers.  This workshop provided an opportunity for women doing peace work on the ground through their churches to share best practices, network, and conceive future joint-initiatives.

Credit: U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Gustavo Olgiati

The threats and opportunities of the 21st century demand that increased attention be paid to practical questions about how to design and implement effective prevention strategies—beyond continual calls to "act early," instill a "culture of prevention," and, above all, mobilize "political will." To this end, USIP is currently developing intellectual capital on evidence-based prevention, early warning, and the prevention of mass atrocities.

Working through the Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East and the Adam Center in Gaza, USIP is working to promote interfaith dialogue between Muslims, Christians, and Jews in Israel and Palestine in an effort to support the Alexandria Declaration. The project will identify non violent ways to promote economic, social, and political development and will find opportunities to support networking between religious leaders and local NGOs.

Building upon our emergency response to the war in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah, USIP established a working group to focus on Lebanon's internal issues and how they will affect long-term reconstruction. The working group facilitates interaction between experts on Lebanon and government officials, and designs reconstruction efforts in a manner to prevent conflict within Lebanon and across its borders.

Particpants in Sri Lanka religious workshop with: (Credit: United States Institute of Peace/ Susan Hayward)

USIP is working to strengthen the capacity and commitment of clergy in Sri Lanka to work effectively across faith divides to implement effective, conflict sensitive inter-religious peacemaking.

Map of Africa (Stock Photo)

Political transitions have often served as triggers of violence. This initiative aims to increase the capacity of key stakeholders to identify these triggers during political transitions, to build positive relationships among civil society, policymakers, and regional and international organizations, and to contribute to the academic and policy literature on peaceful political transitions in Africa.

 

Muslim World Initiative Logo

This initiative is designed to help to mobilize moderates, marginalize militants, and bridge the U.S./Muslim-world divide.