Events At Usip

Amid concerns about the North Korean nuclear threat and the dashed hopes for a breakthrough in U.S.-North Korea negotiations, the health and human rights of arguably the most vulnerable victims of the ongoing humanitarian crisis—North Korean children—have been overlooked.

USIP, The Stimson Center, Alliance for Peacebuilding, and the United Nations Association of the National Capital Area partnered for a timely discussion on the future of the multilateral system and the potential for practical, innovative reform with U.N. Undersecretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo, the highest-ranking American currently serving at the United Nations and the first woman to hold the position.

On January 28, USIP and ArtLords founders Omaid Sharifi and Kabir Mokamel held a conversation on Afghan art, music, and culture and the important role they play in uniting Afghans during this pivotal but uncertain moment in the peace process. Sharifi and Mokamel were joined by artist and activist Hamidullah Natiq for a discussion of their art, activism, and peace.

On January 27, USIP convened a group of experts to help decipher Pakistan’s tumultuous landscape and assess the year ahead. This conversation explored several key implications for U.S. policy as well, including the state of civil-military relations following the army chief’s extension, prospects for Pakistan’s economic future and whether early signs may portend a recovery, and the ongoing challenges posed by the situation in Kashmir. 

USIP kicked off our VEDR initiative to progress past conventional notions of deradicalization—which generally focus on transforming a person’s beliefs about ideologies—and instead develop a systemic approach that simultaneously encourages disengagement and builds social cohesion and community resilience to prevent the reoccurrence of violence.

Join USIP, the National Democratic Institute, and the George W. Bush Institute for a timely discussion on political transitions out of fragility. This event brings together thought leaders and practitioners from across the peacebuilding, development, security, and democracy and governance communities. Part Two of this event features former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Ambassador Derek Mitchell and USIP President and CEO, Nancy Lindborg.

Join USIP, the National Democratic Institute, and the George W. Bush Institute for a timely discussion on political transitions out of fragility. This event brings together thought leaders and practitioners from across the peacebuilding, development, security, and democracy and governance communities. Part One of this event features USAID Administrator Mark Green, Ambassador Derek Mitchell and a panel of next-generation leaders. 

The past year saw a decrease in the overall deaths from terrorism despite new countries experiencing attacks. It saw ISIS lose its territory while far-right terrorism rose substantially—particularly in Europe. Detailed analysis on how terrorism is changing continues to be invaluable for policymakers, practitioners, researchers, and citizens. The seventh annual edition of the Global Terrorism Index provides these vital insights, which allow the counterterrorism community to adapt its strategies to reflect current realities in preventing terrorism and promoting peace.

USIP hosted The Asia Foundation for the launch of their 15th Survey of the Afghan People. First commissioned in 2004, the annual survey provides an unmatched barometer of Afghan public opinion over time and serves as a unique resource for policymakers, the international community, the Afghan government, and the broader public in Afghanistan.

USIP, in partnership with the Sejong Institute and the South Korean Ministry of Unification, hosted a discussion with experts and practitioners from the United States and South Korea on the challenges and prospects of denuclearization, a peace regime, and a peace economy for the Korean Peninsula—as well as featured keynote remarks from the South Korean Minister of Unification Yeon-chul Kim.

USIP and NAFSA: Association of International Educators explored best practices in peacebuilding shared by experts from the peacebuilding and international education communities. The event examined ties between higher education and conflict resolution and consider innovative approaches for creating—and sustaining—more peaceful societies.

To explore the importance of Afghan women in building a sustainable peace process, H.E. First Lady Rula Ghani will join USIP for a timely discussion on her role in the Afghan Women’s National Consensus for Peace (Ejma-e-Mili), as well as other current events on peace, security, and governance in Afghanistan. Following a keynote address by the First Lady was a moderated question and answer session.

On the centennial anniversary of the Treaty of Versailles, USIP will examine what the international community has learned from 100 years of peacebuilding in pursuit of a stable international order.

Despite steps forward, progress on SDG 16 has been uneven since the SDGs were launched in 2015. To regain momentum, this generation's youth leaders and peacebuilders will need to determine how to make SDG 16 a reality for their communities. You can hear from some of these youth leaders through USIP’s event from Dharamsala, India, where Generation Change Fellows will examine what peace, justice and inclusion look like in their everyday lives and what they hope SDG 16 can do for their countries.

Join Rep. Susan Davis and Rep. Martha Roby as they reflect on important progress made by and for Afghan women within the domestic, civic, military, and political spheres, which they have highlighted in annual congressional delegations to Afghanistan over the past 12 years.

Join USIP for a discussion on the Right to Assist doctrine with ICNC President Hardy Merriman and other civil resistance experts. The event will look at how Right to Assist could be implemented, as well as how increased external support might be viewed from the perspectives of efficacy, international law, practical concerns, and possible unintended consequences.

With a global upsurge in violent conflict, environmental degradation, great power competition, and technological change, the challenges facing the peacebuilding community have never been greater or more urgent. In response to these challenges, USIP is pleased to partner with the Alliance for Peacebuilding to host the largest annual gathering of peacebuilding practitioners in the United States: PeaceCon 2019.

As China continues to expand its global reach, the Washington-Beijing relationship has become increasingly tense. From trade disputes, to North Korea, to technological innovation, the two nations are contending for influence in similar spaces, but with drastically different objectives, setting the stage for long-term competition that raises difficult questions about the future of U.S. foreign policy. To examine these challenges, Senator Mark R. Warner (D-VA) has been convening public-private sector meetings, bringing together congressional, intelligence community, business, and academic leaders to spark this important dialogue.

Well into its ninth year, the conflict in Syria is a devastating humanitarian tragedy and a source of regional instability with serious implications for U.S. national security. Last year, Congress directed USIP to facilitate the bipartisan Syria Study Group (SSG) in order to examine the current state of the conflict and make recommendations on the military and diplomatic strategy of the United States going forward. The release of the SSG’s final report follows months of extensive consultations across a broad range of stakeholders and experts, as well as travel to the region. It represents the consensus of all twelve Congressionally-appointed SSG members and offers a bipartisan roadmap for the way ahead.

On September 18, USIP and SIGAR held the official launch of “Reintegration of Ex-Combatants: Lessons from the U.S. Experience in Afghanistan.” The event included a keynote address by Special Inspector General John Sopko, followed by a panel discussion on the report’s findings and recommendations—both for the ongoing insurgency and for a post-settlement Afghanistan.