Events at USIP

  Women’s participation in drafting constitutions leads to more equitable legal frameworks and socially inclusive reforms, laying the groundwork for sustainable peace. Yet new research from Inclusive Security reveals that while 75 conflict-affected countries oversaw significant reform processes between 1995-2015, only one in five constitutional drafters in these environments have been women. While there have been slow increases in the number of women involved in constitution-making processes since the end of the Cold War, women still must overcome discrimination and perceived illegitimacy once they have a seat at the negotiating table. Drawing on in-depth case studies, research, and personal experiences, panelists will offer insights on how early action and alliance building have proven useful strategies for overcoming such obstacles, and recommendations for supporting and empowering women in constitution building in the future. Speakers:Rosarie TucciDirector of Inclusive Societies, U.S Institute of Peace Palwasha KakarSenior Program Officer, Religion and Inclusive Societies, U.S Institute of Peace Marie O’ReillyDirector of Research & Analysis, Inclusive Security Amira YahyaouiFounder, Al Bawsala Jason GluckPolicy Specialist, Political Dialogues and Constitutional Processes, United Nations Development Program

Women are struggling every day for peace and security in their communities, whether as parliamentarians seeking to preserve the constitutional rights of marginalized groups or as filmmakers prompting change through challenging community discourse. To amplify these voices, the U.S. Institute of Peace, with the U.S. Department of State, will host an event featuring three of the 2018 Secretary of State’s International Women of Courage awardees. Participants will hear firsthand the paths these women of courage have taken to lead for positive change. This event will feature three women working across varied sectors – including politics, rule of law and the media – to advance social justice for all. In order to achieve positive, nonviolent change, entire communities must be engaged – and women and girls are critical to this process.  Participants:Kathleen Kuehnast, ModeratorDirector, Gender Policy and Strategy, USIP Roya SadatFounder, Roya Film House and Founder, Afghanistan International Women’s Film FestivalAfghanistan Sirikan CharoensiriCo-Founder, Thai Lawyers for Human RightsThailand L’Malouma SaidDeputy (Member of Parliament), Mauritanian National AssemblyMauritania

Deputy Secretary Sullivan will deliver a keynote address on U.S. Support for Humanitarian Assistance during an invite-only event at the U.S. Institute of Peace.  John J. Sullivan was confirmed by the United States Senate and sworn in as the Deputy Secretary of State on May 24, 2017.

As Co-Chairs of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, Rep. Randy Hultgren (R-IL) and Rep. James P. McGovern (D-MA) play a leading role in advancing international human rights in Congress. The two Members of Congress will draw on their experiences promoting human rights in authoritarian and violent, conflict-affected countries at USIP’s Inaugural Bipartisan Congressional Dialogue. Panelists:Rep. Randy Hultgren (R-IL)14th Congressional District of Illinois, U.S. House of Representatives Rep. James P. McGovern (D-MA)2nd Congressional District of Massachusetts, U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Lindborg, ModeratorPresident, U.S. Institute of Peace

In this discussion, we’ll ask how the United States and the international community can address these national security challenges. How should U.S. assistance be prioritized and allocated? What is the difference between stabilizing a country versus nation building? How can the international community help a country like Syria? What lessons can be learned from efforts in countries, such as Nigeria and Colombia, preventing violence? And ultimately, how can we get ahead of the underlying causes of fragility that lead to and perpetuate violent conflict? Speakers:Joshua Johnson, ModeratorHost, NPR’s 1A Nancy LindborgPresident, U.S. Institute of Peace Ilan GoldenbergDirector, Middle East Security Program, Center for a New American Security Kimberly KaganFounder and President, The Institute for the Study of War  

President Ghani’s announcement at last week’s Kabul Process Conference of a peace offer to the Taliban was a potential watershed in the Afghan peace process, and arguably the most forward-leaning plan for peace with the Taliban the Afghan government has ever put forward. Ambassador Alice Wells, the Senior Bureau Official in the Department of State’s Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, leads the Afghan peace effort for the U.S. government and has freshly returned from Afghanistan, where she attended the Kabul Process Conference. Listen to Ambassador Wells speak on the significance of these events, the U.S. government’s potential response, and the outlook for Afghan peace going forward.

Every March 8th, International Women’s Day is celebrated worldwide as a time to reflect on the achievements and contributions of women. In 2018, USIP will celebrate the day by hosting an event where filmmakers and policy advocates discuss how film has been an innovative tool for translating policy frameworks into social change. Documentaries and movies can take the tenets of policy frameworks and make them tangible. Civil resistance is most successful when women are engaged, and seeing this in live action can catalyze movements into action. This event will bring together the worlds of film and policy to celebrate the progress that has been made in advancing women’s roles in peace and security, and spreading their stories.

Violent conflict today is surging after decades of relative decline. Direct deaths in war, refugee numbers, military spending, and terrorist incidents have all reached historic highs in recent years. Today, the consequences of failing to act together are alarmingly evident, and the call for urgent action has perhaps never been clearer. To answer this call, the United Nations and the World Bank Group are launching their joint study, “Pathways for Peace: Inclusive Approaches to Preventing Violent Conflict” to share how defense, diplomacy, and development should work together to successfully keep conflict from becoming violent.

The U.S. Institute of Peace is honoring Nelson Mandela’s life, work, and passion for peace by establishing the Nelson Mandela Lecture series. His deep commitment to peace continues to inspire our work and imbues us with a spirit of hope that it is possible to overcome all obstacles standing in the way of a better world. As Mandela said, “To be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” Nelson Mandela embodied much of what the USIP teaches and trains about conflict resolution: an understanding of when and how to negotiate and the courage to assume the ultimate responsibility for peace.

Religion and Countering Violent Extremism

U.N. Peacekeeping is Vital - and so is its Reform

Turmoil Across the Middle East - What Does it Mean?

Is Diplomacy Possible with North Korea?

How to Help Vulnerable States Prevent Their Own Crises

Raqqa After the Islamic State - Governance and Challenges in Post-ISIS Syria