Events at USIP

From Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani’s influence in the Iraqi elections to the involvement of religious actors in South Sudan’s peace process, the role of religion in conflict zones continues to dominate headlines. Please join field researchers and U.S. Institute of Peace experts on June 26, as they present an approach for mapping the role of religious actors and institutions to better understand their legitimacy and influence in contributing to peace and conflict, exploring findings from three recent mappings from Libya, South Sudan, and Iraq based on work from the field. Speakers:Col. Paul Hughes, welcoming remarksActing Vice President, Center for Applied Conflict Transformation, U.S. Institute of Peace Rev. Susan Hayward, introductory remarksSenior Advisor, Religion & Inclusive Societies, U.S. Institute of Peace Rosarie Tucci, moderatorDirector, Inclusive Societies, U.S. Institute of Peace Palwasha KakarSenior Program Officer, Libya Project Coordinator, U.S. Institute of Peace Monica PioSouth Sudan Researcher, Forcier Consulting Zainab QassimNetworks Manager, Sanad for Peacebuilding, U.S. Institute of Peace Dr. Ann WainscottLead Researcher and Iraq Project Coordinator, U.S. Institute of Peace Dr. Jacqueline WilsonLead Researcher and South Sudan Project Coordinator, U.S. Institute of Peace  

The U.S. Institute of Peace is proud to host Moldovan Prime Minister Pavel Filip, accompanied by several of his cabinet ministers, for a discussion focused on his country’s foreign policy, regional role, reform achievements, political situation, and efforts to combat Russian influence. It is a critical period for Eastern Europe and a key time for Moldova in light of November's parliamentary elections that will determine the further direction of the country.

For over a decade, Russia’s Vladimir Putin has campaigned to subvert the liberal world order and undermine global norms by invading neighbors and interfering in democratic processes at home and abroad. Without strong leadership from an allied West to push back on Russian ambitions, the postwar order established by the United States and its allies is in jeopardy, and progress made over the last 70 years is at risk of being reversed. The United States must continue to lead on global issues, support democracy, uphold the rule of law, and push back on the disruptive ambitions of revisionist states like Russia. Speakers:Rep. Francis Rooney (R-FL)19th Congressional District of Florida, U.S. House of Representatives Rep. Bill Keating (D-MA) 9th Congressional District of Massachusetts, U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Lindborg, moderator President, U.S. Institute of Peace

This event features discussion about the practical steps for the search for peace in Afghanistan. This effort has moved to center stage in recent months following President Ashraf Ghani’s late February peace offer to the Taliban, a series of major international conferences that consolidated support for a peace deal, and a wave of pro-peace demonstrations across Afghanistan. Crucial questions nonetheless remain: What it will take to get the Taliban to join peace talks in earnest? What will a prospective peace agreement look like? How does the peace process affect the Afghan and international military campaign? Panel 1: Top-Down Peace: Negotiations, the Taliban, and the Shape of a Deal Steve Brooking, Director of Peace and Reconciliation, United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA)Laurel Miller, Former State Department Acting Special Representative for Afghanistan and PakistanBarnett Rubin, Senior Fellow and Associate Director of the Center for International Cooperation, New York UniversityRahmatullah Amiri, Senior Researcher, The Liaison Office (TLO)Moderator: Johnny Walsh, Senior Expert on Afghanistan, U.S. Institute of Peace Panel 2: Bottom-Up Peace: Militias, Reintegration and Local Accommodations Michael Semple, Visiting Professor, Institute for the Study of Conflict Transformation and Social Justice, Queen's University, BelfastKate Clark, Director, Afghanistan Analysts NetworkErica Gaston, Non-Resident Fellow, Global Public Policy InstituteNilofar Sakhi, Lecturer, George Mason UniversityModerator: Scott Worden, Director of Afghanistan and Central Asia Programs, U.S. Institute of Peace Closing Remarks with Ambassador Hamdullah Mohib, Afghan Ambassador to the United States

The U.S.-Sudan relationship is at an historic juncture, with the prospect of a broader normalization of relations with the United States coinciding with economic and political turbulence in Sudan. Amid the goals of the U.S. engagement process, the demands of Sudanese citizens for a peaceful, better governed country remain unfulfilled. Join USIP to explore the findings of “Sudan after Sanctions: Sudanese Views of Relations with the United States,” authored by USIP’s Aly Verjee, examining the perceptions and hopes of Sudanese citizens for future relations between Sudan and the United States.

Questions about the promises and dangers of technology have recently dominated headlines—but less often covered are the stories of practitioners and start-ups leveraging their know-how to build peace. On May 31, the Justice Sector Training, Research and Coordination Program and the U.S. Institute of Peace will host a symposium to tackle the difficult questions of how technology can be used to strengthen rule of law, security, community engagement, and relationships between states and the people they serve in developing and conflict-affected areas.   Session Two: Innovations in Engagement: From Mobile Apps to Social Media Rohini Srihari, ModeratorChief Data Scientist, PeaceTech Lab Jeffrey Aresty President, InternetBar.org Karen Naimer Director, Program on Sexual Violence in Conflict Zones, Physicians for Human Rights Antoine Heuty Founder and CEO, Ulula LLC Zaid Zaid Public Policy, Strategic Response, Facebook, Inc.     Session Three: Innovations in E-Governance: From Case Management to Consensus Building Andrew Solomon, ModeratorSenior Rule of Law Advisor, U.S. Agency for International Development Jeff AppersonVice President, National Center for State Courts Julia GliddenGeneral Manager, IBM Global Business Services - Global Government Industry Nino VardosanidzeSenior Legislative and Oversight Manager, Good Governance Initiative, Tetra Tech ARD (Republic of Georgia)  

Questions about the promises and dangers of technology have recently dominated headlines—but less often covered are the stories of practitioners and start-ups leveraging their know-how to build peace. On May 31, the Justice Sector Training, Research and Coordination Program and the U.S. Institute of Peace will host a symposium to tackle the difficult questions of how technology can be used to strengthen rule of law, security, community engagement, and relationships between states and the people they serve in developing and conflict-affected areas. Session One: Innovations in Law Enforcement: Digital Investigative Analysis & Forensic Science: Advances and Setbacks Lindsay Freeman, Moderator Human Rights Center Research Fellow, School of Law, University of California, Berkeley Mark D. Mogle Deputy Assistant Director for Forensics, International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program, U.S. Department of Justice Mark GrantzAssistant to the Special Agent in Charge, Washington Field Office, U.S. Secret Service Joe VaraniDigital Investigative Analyst, Cybercrime Lab, U.S. Department of Justice

Violent extremism has become one of the major challenges to stability in fragile states, characterized by weak, non-inclusive institutions, and lack of economic opportunity. Youth are often perceived as particularly vulnerable to recruitment into extremist groups. The U.S. Institute of Peace has funded several impact evaluations of peacebuilding interventions over the last few years, including two rigorous evaluations of Mercy Corps’ youth programming in Afghanistan and Somalia aimed at reducing support for armed opposition groups.  This discussion will tackle the potential for implementing these programs at scale and its potential effect on broader conflict dynamics in places like Afghanistan and Somalia. Speakers:Joseph Hewitt, moderator Vice President of Policy, Learning, and Strategy, USIP Scott Worden Director of Afghanistan and Central Asia Programs, USIP Aubrey CoxProgram Officer, Youth, USIP Abdullahi Boru Halakhe Senior Officer Policy and Advocacy-Africa, International Rescue Committee Beza TesfayeSenior Researcher, Mercy Corps

Power-sharing arrangements are often applied as a means to address conflict between two parties. But practitioners and policymakers alike agree that the foundation for such arrangements requires considerable strategy and planning, including articulating clear objectives and expectations. Under what conditions do power-sharing arrangements work? What are the key ingredients to help unity governments succeed? Do power-sharing arrangements build political trust by delivering to citizens? Speakers:Jeff HelsingAssociate Vice President, U.S. Institute of Peace Rosarie Tucci Director, Inclusive Societies, U.S. Institute of Peace Susan StigantDirector, Africa Programs, U.S. Institute of Peace Caroline HartzellProfessor, Political Science Department, Gettysburg College Matthew HoddieAssociate Professor, Towson University Clark LettermanSurvey Research Specialist, Research Triangle Institute International

This year marks the centennial of Georgia’s independence and the establishment of the First Republic in 1918 and the 10th year since the Russian invasion of Georgia in 2008. Please join the U.S. Institute of Peace, Embassy of Georgia and the Heritage Foundation in welcoming The Honorable Giorgi Kvirikashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia, for the Second Annual U.S.-Georgia Strategic Partnership Conference. Renowned experts will explore the current state of regional affairs, focusing on the geopolitical interests of the United States and Georgia.   Panelists: H.E. Dimitry KumsishviliFirst Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia Mr. Brock BiermanAssistant Administrator for Europe and Eurasia, USAID Ambassador Elisabeth MillardPrincipal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Mr. Christian DanielssonDirector General for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, European Commission Mr. Jonathan Katz, ModeratorSenior Fellow, German Marshall Fund of the United States Closing Remarks: H.E. Levan IzoriaMinister of Defense of Georgia  

This year marks the centennial of Georgia’s independence and the establishment of the First Republic in 1918 and the 10th year since the Russian invasion of Georgia in 2008. Please join the U.S. Institute of Peace, Embassy of Georgia and the Heritage Foundation in welcoming The Honorable Giorgi Kvirikashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia, for the Second Annual U.S.-Georgia Strategic Partnership Conference. Renowned experts will explore the current state of regional affairs, focusing on the geopolitical interests of the United States and Georgia. Keynote Address: The Honorable Giorgi KvirikashviliPrime Minister of Georgia Panelists: H.E. Mikheil JanelidzeVice Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Ms. Fiona HillSpecial Assistant to the President and Senior Director for European and Russian Affairs at the National Security Council (NSC) Mr. James CarafanoVice President of Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis Institute for National Security and Foreign Policy and the E. W. Richardson Fellow, The Heritage Foundation Mr. Robert KaremU.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Mr. Luke Coffey, Moderator Director, Douglas and Sarah Allison Center for Foreign Policy Studies, The Heritage Foundation

Nandan Nilekani is the co-founder of Infosys and former chairman of Aadhaar, India’s massive biometric identification system. Join the U.S. Institute of Peace, PeaceTech Lab and emerge85 for a discussion with Nilekani on India’s emerging data economy, which seeks to restore individuals’ control over their personal data while fueling public and private sector innovation. Exploring this new paradigm is important not just for India. Data is a key focus of international development and governance efforts. Organizations and governments worldwide are harnessing data to improve delivery of goods and services, increase communication, and bolster accountability, but there are challenges. Speakers:Nandan Nilekani, Featured SpeakerCo-Founder, Infosys Sheldon Himelfarb, ModeratorFounder & CEO, PeaceTech Lab

The United States is engaged in high-stakes negotiations with North Korea over its nuclear program as the White House prepares for the summit between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un. But nuclear capabilities and missiles are not the only items on the negotiating table. An eventual settlement could include some difficult concessions and require significant oversight and legislative action on the part of Congress. Both Members of Congress and military veterans, Representative Ted Lieu (D-CA) and Representative Steve Russell (R-OK), will examine the importance of this ongoing diplomatic effort, possible outcomes of negotiations, and the role they hope Congress plays in the coming months at USIP’s third Bipartisan Congressional Dialogue on May 22. Speakers: Rep. Steve Russell (R-OK) 5th Congressional District of Oklahoma, U.S. House of Representatives Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA) 33rd Congressional District of California, U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Lindborg, moderatorPresident, U.S. Institute of Peace

Iraqis just went to the polls to elect a new national parliament. In a surprise turn, a coalition led by controversial cleric Moqtada al-Sadr—a staunch opponent of U.S. influcence in Iraq won the most seats. Listen in as Joshua Johnson, Host of NPR's 1A, leads a panel discussion on Iraq's new leaders and the many challenges they face. Speakers:Joshua Johnson, ModeratorHost, NPR's 1A Sarhang HamasaeedDirector, Middle East Programs, U.S. Institute of Peace Denise NataliDirector, Center for Strategic Research, National Defense University Kenneth PollackResident Scholar, U.S.-Middle East Security and Foreign Policies, American Enterprise Institute

Too often, peace processes only include dueling parties—leaving women; religious, indigenous, and ethnic groups; youth; and survivors of violence excluded from critical discussions that shape the future landscape of a country. Yet, sidelining their voices often results in a resurgence of conflict and fails to achieve comprehensive or sustainable peace. The U.S. Institute of Peace and Conciliation Resources hosted a discussion on overcoming challenges to inclusive peace processes and negotiated settlements. This event furthered policy conversations supported by evidence-based research on inclusion in peace efforts conducted by Conciliation Resources. The research draws on case studies and local perspectives with local partners from Colombia, Bougainville and Nepal. The event explored how inclusion is negotiated in war to peace transitions, common barriers to and trade-offs between inclusion and stability, and types of external and internal support that have been effective. The findings reflect upon strategies used by different groups, in particular women and other marginalized groups, to influence these processes.  Speakers: Nancy Lindborg President, U.S. Institute of Peace Rosarie Tucci Director, Inclusive Societies, U.S. Institute of Peace Zahbia Yousuf Senior Advisor, Peace and Transition Process, Conciliation Resources Sophia CloseSenior Advisor, Gender and Peacebuilding, Conciliation Resources Deepak Thapa Director, Social Science Baha Kathmandu, Nepal Rosa Emilia Salamanca Director, Institute for Social and Economic Research and Action (CIASE) Bogota, Colombia Esra Cuhadar JR Senior Fellow, U.S. Institute of Peace  Jennifer MarronPeace Process Advisor, Bureau of Conflict Stabilization and Operations, Department of State