United States Institute of PeaceUnited States Institute of PeaceUSIP_6d1c918e-6bc6-4d16-b0c8-98c609cc51d4Peacebuilding: A Global Imperative -- It is essential that the United States, working with the international community, play an active part in preventing, managing, and resolving conflicts. Fragile states, ethnic and religious strife, extremism, competition for scarce resources and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction all pose significant challenges to peace. The resulting suffering and destabilization of societies make effective forms of managing conflict imperative. The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) is dedicated to meeting this imperative in new and innovative ways. _d946f02b-9723-4782-b5e4-7aadfb3355b6The United States Institute of Peace is an independent, nonpartisan, national institution established and funded by Congress._fbf91fbb-6949-4387-912b-b68c51549349International ConflictsPrevent and resolve violent international conflicts _1646143b-2873-486a-b5e8-92dee6cb807b1The Institute does this by empowering others with knowledge, skills, and resources, as well as by directly engaging in peacebuilding efforts around the globe.Zones of ConflictOperating on-the-ground in zones of conflict_2065132f-78f8-47f6-8dd4-cea4648afd7b1.1Operating on-the-ground in zones of conflict, most recently in Afghanistan, the Balkans, Colombia, Iraq, Kashmir, Liberia, the Korean Peninsula, Nepal, Pakistan, the Palestinian Territories, Nigeria, Sudan, and Uganda. Specific projects involve: Mediating and facilitating dialogue among parties in conflict Building conflict management skills and capacity Identifying and disseminating best practices in conflict management Promoting the rule of law Reforming/strengthening education systems Strengthening civil society and state-building Educating the public through events, films, radio programs, and an array of other outreach activities Stability and DevelopmentPromote post-conflict stability and development_df90d4fd-13c4-4f72-a106-d47fcada433d2The Institute does this by empowering others with knowledge, skills, and resources, as well as by directly engaging in peacebuilding efforts around the globe.Conflict ManagementIncrease conflict management capacity, tools, and intellectual capital worldwide _dbfa0a4f-c735-4436-a96a-e6fa1e6d3cc73The Institute does this by empowering others with knowledge, skills, and resources, as well as by directly engaging in peacebuilding efforts around the globe.Research and PublicationsPerforming cutting edge research resulting in publications for practitioners, policymakers, and academia_0cfc9bcb-49ec-480e-8831-6f8dd1a28c303.1 (over 400 to date)Tools and Best PracticesIdentifying best practices and developing innovative peacebuilding tools_dac1deee-14f4-4879-aba8-a58433dc30413.2Tools developed by USIP include a seminal set of books on international mediation, a portfolio of resources on religious peacemaking, a toolkit for promoting the rule of law in fragile states, guidelines for civilian and military interaction in hostile environments, a preeminent series on cultural negotiating behavior, and field-defining textbooks on conflict management.TrainingTraining on conflict management—including mediation and negotiation skills—to government and military personnel, civil society leaders, and the staff of non-governmental and international organizations_85211ba8-35fa-4339-80d0-d51895bb6bf53.3EducationEducating high school and college students about conflict, strengthening related curricula, and increasing the peacebuilding capabilities of future leaders_e20ed7f3-11f5-4b6b-91a8-ff2c6fd0138d3.4Policy SupportSupporting policymakers by providing analyses, policy options, and advice, as well as by sponsoring a wide range of country-oriented working groups_5bcd4d4f-29aa-4531-a59d-4a451b68d57b3.5Recent efforts include the Iraq Study Group; Task Force on the United Nations; and standing working groups on Afghanistan, Cote d'Ivoire, DRC, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Korea, Liberia, Syria, and Sudan.2010-02-08http://www.usip.org/aboutus/index.htmlArthurColman (www.drybridge.com)colman@drybridge.com