For Immediate Release, September 22, 2010
Contact:  Lauren Sucher, USIP 202/429-3822
Brian Malina, Verizon 908/559-6434

(Washington) – The Verizon Foundation awarded a $500,000 grant to the Endowment of the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) for the purpose of creating an Educational Toolkit on peacebuilding, and for development of what will be the Web site of USIP’s Global Peacebuilding Center.

The Global Peacebuilding Center is a part of the permanent headquarters facility of USIP that is currently being constructed at the corner of 23rd Street and Constitution Avenue, NW near the National Mall. The Global Peacebuilding Center will eventually be both a physical space and an online destination for teachers, students and the general public who want to learn about war and peace. As a key part of the Global Peacebuilding Center, the Educational Toolkit being designed by USIP will feature lesson plans, modules and activities for free classroom use.

“Education is an important issue for our company and our country. Verizon is committed to providing teachers with the innovative, creative educational resources needed to engage students and provide a well-rounded, complete education,” said Verizon Foundation President Patrick Gaston. “Verizon is proud to partner with the United States Institute of Peace on this valuable project that complements our current efforts in education.”

The Verizon Foundation’s signature educational program is Verizon Thinkfinity a comprehensive educational Web site that contains thousands of free educational resources to make learning fun and improve educational achievement. Parent-friendly resources, in-class activities and homework help can be found quickly and searched by grade level, keyword or subject.

USIP President Richard H. Solomon said, "The new toolkit and Web site will enable the Institute to share its work with a wider audience of students, educators and young people who represent future peacebuilders and conflict managers.  We are grateful to the Verizon Foundation for their support of this project."

USIP was founded in 1984 by Congress with a mandate to educate the public, in addition to working to prevent and end violent international conflict. The new headquarters facility, which will open publicly in September 2011, will also mark the launch of the virtual Global Peacebuilding Center. With the help of the Verizon Foundation’s gift, the Global Peacebuilding Center helps fulfill USIP’s mission.

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The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) provides the analysis, training and tools that help to prevent, manage and end violent international conflicts, promote stability and professionalize the field of peacebuilding. Learn more about us >>>

The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, supports the advancement of literacy and K-12 education and fosters awareness and prevention of domestic violence.  In 2009, the Verizon Foundation awarded $67.9 million in grants to nonprofit agencies in the U.S. and abroad.  It also matched the charitable donations of Verizon employees and retirees, resulting in $26.1 million in combined contributions to nonprofits.  Through Verizon Volunteers, one of the nation’s largest employee volunteer programs, Verizon employees and retirees have volunteered more than 5 million hours of community service since 2000. For more information on the foundation, visit www.verizonfoundation.org.