The 2022 essay contest focused on the new context and opportunities the current multipolar era provides the United States for partnerships to build peace in conflict affected countries. It challenged students to expand their understanding of peacebuilding as an effective foreign policy tool and to explore how partnerships can make a peacebuilding initiative successful. Amid truly global challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, partnerships for peace can play a particularly critical role. 

The U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP), a sponsor of the contest, has developed this study guide in partnership with AFSA to provide a basic introduction to the topic and some additional context that can assist in answering the question. In this guide, you will find: the essay question, prizes, and rules for the contest; an introduction to diplomacy and peacebuilding; key terms; topics and areas you might explore; and a list of other useful resources.