In June 2017, USIP concluded its second successful year of partnership with National History Day (NHD) on their signature contest, which inspires 500,000 students across the U.S. to conduct original research along an annual theme. The 2017 contest focused on Taking a Stand in History. 

While the past offers many examples of leaders who defended deeply-held beliefs, of communities that banded together to argue for their rights, and of nations that acted to avert or address global crises, history books have tended to focus on cases where taking a stand involved some form of violence. In partnering with NHD and sponsoring the Global Peace Prize at the national level, USIP sought to encourage students to bring a peacebuilding lens to their projects by focusing on individuals or organizations who asserted or defended their beliefs through nonviolent action. 

On June 15 at the NHD finals hosted by the University of Maryland, College Park, the second annual Global Peace Prize, sponsored by USIP, was presented to Aneesh Muppidi. Aneesh, a student at Farnsworth Middle School in Guilderland, NY, created a documentary about Joseph Rotblat—a scientist who worked on the Manhattan project and later played a key role in the anti-nuclear weapons movement. The documentary was also recognized as the Outstanding Entry from New York in the junior (middle school) division. 

That same week, as part of NHD Explore (NHDx), students, teachers and families from across the United States who were in Washington, DC for the national finals had a special opportunity to visit USIP and learn about America’s commitment to peace today. In addition, they explored peace themes in history through the monuments and memorials along the Peace Trail on the National Mall.

"We need to work towards a world where war is NEVER the answer to conflict."  

- NHDx 2017 participant on why USIP's work matters

The program at USIP also encouraged participants to reflect on their own potential as peacebuilders and to consider how to transform their new perspectives into action—as individuals and communities, both here at home and around the world. 

The following visual captures some of their ideas:

In accordance with our congressional mandate, USIP is committed to educating the American people—and especially young people--about the U.S. role in preventing and resolving conflicts around the world. Learn more about our public education work.