With the risk of mass atrocities rising globally, the U.N. special adviser for the prevention of genocide serves as the U.N.’s nerve center for identifying threats of large-scale violence that could lead to atrocity crimes such as genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. This critical role provides early warnings to the secretary-general and Security Council and recommends actions to prevent or halt them — all while strengthening practitioner understanding of the key drivers of atrocity risk, including hate speech and genocide denial.

On November 16, USIP hosted a conversation with U.N. Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide Alice Wairimu Nderitu on the efforts her office has taken to prevent atrocity crimes and to improve the U.N.’s ability to protect vulnerable civilian populations.

Continue the conversation on Twitter with #USIPAtrocityPrevention.

Speakers

Philippe Leroux-Martin, welcoming remarks
Director, Governance, Justice and Security, United States Institute of Peace 

Alice Wairimu Nderitu
Under-Secretary-General and U.N. Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide 

Lauren Baillie, moderator
Senior Program Officer, Atrocity Prevention, U.S. Institute of Peace

Related Publications

The Latest @ USIP: 20 Years of Counterterrorism in Iraq

The Latest @ USIP: 20 Years of Counterterrorism in Iraq

Monday, March 27, 2023

By: Lt. Gen. Michael Nagata

Over the last 20 years, efforts to stabilize Iraq have been plagued by two powerful terrorist groups: al-Qaida in Iraq and then its progeny, the Islamic State (ISIS). While the country has fortunately managed to hold together in that time, there is still a long way to go toward security and stability in Iraq. Lt. Gen. Michael Nagata, the former director of strategy at the National Counterterrorism Center, discusses his time fighting extremist threats in Iraq, why the battle against ISIS is far from over and what the country needs to achieve peace.

Type: Blog

Conflict Analysis & PreventionViolent Extremism

A Threshold Alliance: The China-Pakistan Military Relationship

A Threshold Alliance: The China-Pakistan Military Relationship

Wednesday, March 22, 2023

By: Sameer P. Lalwani, Ph.D.

Geopolitical shifts in South Asia over the past decade, driven by sharper US-China competition, a precipitous decline in China-India relations, and the 2021 withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan, have pushed the Chinese and Pakistani militaries closer together. The countries’ armies and navies are increasingly sharing equipment, engaging in more sophisticated joint exercises, and interacting more closely through staff and officer exchanges. Yet, as this report concludes, a full China-Pakistan alliance is not inevitable, as Chinese missteps and other sources of friction could slow its consummation.

Type: Special Report

Conflict Analysis & Prevention

Where Cryptocurrency, Water and Conflict Collide

Where Cryptocurrency, Water and Conflict Collide

Thursday, March 16, 2023

By: Chris Collins;  Kayly Ober

The booms and busts of the cryptocurrency industry are all over the news. But while the crypto market’s steep decline is a concern for crypto investors, the energy needed to mine cryptocurrency should be what catches the attention of policymakers. As of August 2022, total global electricity usage for crypto assets is estimated to be between 120 and 240 billion kilowatt-hours per year — more than the total used by entire countries such as Australia or Argentina. Amid the global energy crisis and efforts to stem the effects of climate change, the sheer scale of crypto’s electricity usage raises major questions regarding its sustainability.

Type: Analysis and Commentary

Conflict Analysis & PreventionEnvironment

The Latest @ USIP: NATO’s Strategic Adaptation to Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine

The Latest @ USIP: NATO’s Strategic Adaptation to Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine

Wednesday, March 15, 2023

By: Kurt Volker

When Russia began its invasion of Ukraine, NATO was already in the early stages of drafting its 2022 Strategic Concept. The war quickly overshadowed other issues, and NATO quickly adapted its strategic vision to refocus on the alliance’s primary mission of deterrence and collective defense. Kurt Volker, former U.S. ambassador to NATO, discusses how solidarity with Ukraine has united NATO in a way that hasn’t been seen in a long time and examines the threat Russia’s expansionist mindset poses to NATO member states.

Type: Blog

Conflict Analysis & PreventionGlobal Policy

View All Publications