As a national, nonpartisan, independent Institute, the U.S. Institute of Peace draws on our exceptional convening power to create opportunities for diverse audiences to exchange knowledge, experiences, and ideas necessary for creative solutions to difficult challenges. We serve as an important, neutral platform for bringing together government and nongovernment, diplomacy, security, and development actors, and participants across political views. The Institute’s events help shape public policy and priorities to advance peaceful solutions to conflict and strengthen international security.
One in five elections worldwide is marred by violence—from burned ballot boxes to violent suppression of peaceful rallies, to assassinations of candidates. A USIP study of programs to prevent violence suggests focusing on improving the administration and policing of elections. The study, of elections in Kenya and Liberia, found no evidence that programs of voter consultation or peace messaging were effective there.
The U.S. Institute of Peace was pleased to co-host a public event with the Friends of Liberia to discuss the 2017 Liberia elections, and its importance for peace and development in the country. The panel included country experts and election practitioners, including Linda Thomas-Greenfield former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs and Ambassador to Liberia.
On September 25, the U.S. Institute of Peace, the International Republican Institute, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, the National Democratic Institute, and the National Endowment for Democracy held a public address by President Sirleaf on Capitol Hill. Senator Chris Coons was the honorary host of the event.
The U.S. Institute of Peace held an online conversation via Twitter to discuss past and upcoming elections at risk of violence. Participants included the contributing authors of Electing Peace, a recent research volume that examines the effectiveness of common practices to prevent election violence.
On February 26, Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia, spoke at an event hosted by U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) and the U.S. Institute of Peace in Hart Senate Office Building. The speech was during her first trip to Washington since Liberia’s declaration of a state of emergency over the Ebola outbreak last July.
On January 5, USIP held a policy-level discussion about mission mandates for long-term, locally-owned solutions, the first in a series of conversations on advising as a means to provide foreign assistance and capacity building to partner countries.
On September 10, 2013, U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP), the Association of the United States Army (AUSA), and the U.S. Water Partnership (USWP) hosted a summit on the growing concerns in water security and the risks for increased conflict.
Following the inaugural session of the U.S.- Liberia Partnership Dialogue, intended to promote cooperation on areas of mutual interest, several members of Liberia’s cabinet will continue the discussion at the United States Institute of Peace with members of civil society, private sector, and diaspora in hopes of finding new ways to partner in achieving greater equitable economic development in Liberia.
The U.S. Institute of Peace, in partnership with The Institute for Inclusive Security and the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF), will host an expert panel to discuss the relationship between women in civil society and the security sector, to examine the obstacles women face, and how can they be overcome. Read the event coverage, Taking the 'Thug' Out of Security Forces: What Women Can Do
The U.S. Institute of Peace, in collaboration with Vital Voices Global Partnership and the Royal Norwegian Embassy, explored the kinds of leadership that are most effective in societies undergoing upheaval and/or transition. Women leaders from Liberia, Pakistan, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Samoa and Mexico offered compelling accounts of their innovative leadership approaches in two sessions at USIP on June 5. These women, who have just been recognized as the 2012 honorees of t...