United States Institute of Peace

File:Us-institute-of-peace.jpg

Proposed new USIP headquarters, construction to begin 2007.

The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) is an independent, nonpartisan, national institution established and funded by Congress. Its goals are to help prevent and resolve violent international conflicts, promote post-conflict stability and democratic transformations, and increase peacebuilding capacity, tools, and intellectual capital worldwide. The Institute does this by empowering others with knowledge, skills, and resources, as well as by its direct involvement in peacebuilding efforts around the globe.

• History of USIP

Programs include:

• Center for Conflict Analysis and Prevention

• Center for Mediation and Conflict Resolution

• Center for Post-Conflict Peace and Stability Operations

• Centers of Innovation

• Rule of Law

• Religion and Peacemaking

• Virtual Diplomacy

• Education Program

• Training Program

• Muslim World Initiative

USIP offers free online training in conflict resolution, holds events that are open to the public (audio archives of events are frequently available). In addition, USIP sponsors an annual national peace essay contest for high school students.

Iraq Study Group (ISG)

On March 15, 2006, Congress announced the formation of the Iraq Study Group, organized by USIP and supported by Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the Center for the Study of the Presidency (CSP), and the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy. The task force is charged to deliver an independent assessment of the situation in Iraq.

The ISG is led by co-chairs James Baker and Lee Hamilton, and is composed of five Republicans and five Democrats, including:

• Robert M. Gates
• Rudolph W. Giuliani
• Vernon E. Jordan, Jr.
• Sandra Day O'Connor
• Leon E. Panetta
• William J. Perry
• Charles S. Robb
• Alan K. Simpson

See also

• United States Department of Peace
• Peaceworkers UK : British NGO providing training for potential peaceworkers in nonviolent, civilian techniques of conflict transformation

External links

• U.S. Institute of Peace Web site
• Iraq Study Group