On May 13, Afghanistan’s First Lady Rula Ghani discussed her country’s history of violent conflict and recent progress and challenges in reforming the justice sector, including for women.

Gender;  Justice, Security & Rule of Law;  Democracy & Governance

On May 10, the Conflict Prevention and Resolution Forum held a discussion at the U.S. Institute of Peace on women, social media and extremism.

Violent Extremism;  Gender;  Nonviolent Action

The longstanding United Nations call for countries to adopt National Action Plans to involve women in issues of national security repeatedly stumbles in much of the Middle East and North Africa. The U.S. Institute of Peace had a discussion on May 4 on how these roadblocks can be overcome, especially amid the current upheaval.

Conflict Analysis & Prevention;  Violent Extremism;  Gender

The terrorist attacks that regularly dominate news coverage of Pakistan have overshadowed deeper trends that constrain the space for political, social and religious diversity within the country. How can the arts and music bridge divisions and contribute to peacebuilding in Pakistan? The U.S. Institute of Peace hosted a forum on this question on April 18 to hear how artists and other practitioners see themselves playing this role.

Conflict Analysis & Prevention;  Gender

How does the U.S. government now define its partnership with Nigeria, and what may arise next in that relationship? The two governments have long maintained a broad “strategic dialogue” on issues from energy to food security to transparency in governance. On March 28, two days before the main annual meeting in that dialogue, Assistant Secretary of State Linda Thomas-Greenfield spoke on the evolution of the U.S.-Nigerian partnership.

Conflict Analysis & Prevention;  Violent Extremism;  Environment;  Gender;  Justice, Security & Rule of Law;  Economics

Mrs. Laura Bush, former First Lady of the United States, has long been an advocate for expanding the rights and opportunities of women in Afghanistan. On March 15, USIP hosted a discussion about the importance of the United States’ continued support of Afghan women and girls. In an event celebrating International Women’s Month, Mrs. Bush was joined by Mina Sherzoy, an Afghan woman featured in the George W. Bush Institute’s new book, “We Are Afghan Women: Voices of Hope.” Stephen Hadley, USIP’s Board Chairman and a former National Security Advisor, moderated the conversation.

Gender

Women have played groundbreaking roles in Colombia’s peace process between the government and the country’s largest rebel group, the FARC. With a peace agreement in sight and on the occasion of International Women’s Day, the U.S. Institute of Peace held an event on March 8 that briefed on the status of women in peace processes, with a focus on the Colombia case. The discussion was co-sponsored by USIP’s Colombia Peace Forum and the Conflict Prevention and Resolution Forum.

Gender;  Mediation, Negotiation & Dialogue

The Russian-Ukrainian war has uprooted more than 1.4 million Ukrainians who struggle for survival, and for futures, in cities and towns nationwide. While Ukraine’s civil society has responded vigorously to help, the prolongation of this massive displacement is deepening strains on the nation’s social cohesion and economy. How might Ukraine help its displaced citizens and their host communities become agents for national reconciliation and cohesion? On November 19, USIP gathered prominent Ukrainian and U.S. specialists to discuss strategy for such an effort.

Gender