Events at USIP

USIP was pleased to host Dr. Abdullah for his first public event as chairman of the newly established High Council for National Reconciliation. Dr. Abdullah discussed preparations for negotiations with the Taliban, the key issues that need to be addressed, and what can be done to strengthen national unity and consensus on peace. His address was followed by a live question and answer session. For m...

USIP and experts from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka discussed states' responses to the coronavirus pandemic across the region and what countries can do to maintain and restore their economies, health systems, and citizens’ trust in elected officials. Speakers Amb. Tariq Karim Former Bangladeshi Ambassador to the U.S.    Amb. Maleeha Lodhi Former Pakistani Ambassador to the U.S. and fo...

USIP, representatives of the African Union Commission and the African Diplomatic Corps, and other experts discussed the African Union’s efforts to mobilize the fight against coronavirus while still alleviating threats to human security and international peace.  Panelists discussed how COVID-19 is impacting the continent’s social and economic progress, how this year’s Africa Day theme of “Silencing...

On June 11, 2020, the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center and the United States Institute of Peace hosted a conversation with H.E. President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani on Afghanistan’s vision for peace and how to sustain progress towards stability and prosperity. Keynote speaker: H.E. Mohammad Ashraf Ghani President Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Featuring: Frederick Kempe President and CEO Atlantic...

USIP and authors of the recent RESOLVE Network Research Report, “ Career Foreign Fighters: Expertise Transmission Across Insurgencies ” hosted a virtual conversation to explain their findings and share insights on the unique challenges that career foreign fighters pose, what we know about their “career” trajectories, their impact in local conflicts, and the implications for current policy and prog...

The two most populous countries in the Horn of Africa—Ethiopia and Sudan—are both struggling with once-in-a-generation political transitions. Complicating these already tenuous transitions is a convergence of worrying trends, such as widespread food insecurity, severe pressure on public finances, ongoing or unresolved internal conflicts, large numbers of displaced persons, and now, the coronavirus...

USIP brought together activists and peacebuilders from South Sudan, Syria, and Venezuela for a discussion on how nonviolent movements are confronting and adjusting to their new operating environments, how they are spreading awareness about the virus and safety measures in their communities, and how they envision the post-coronavirus era in their societies.   The panelists shared how they are maint...

USIP convened observers from all four of Pakistan's provinces to discuss each province’s on-the-ground situation related to the Coronavirus pandemic, the various provincial government responses, and what we can expect to see in the coming months.

USIP and the World Bank Group examined international efforts to respond to the first- and second-order impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in fragile states. Panelists drew lessons from other recent outbreaks to consider what works in tackling pandemics on the ground in FCV settings, as well as how actors can work together to ensure responses to the COVID-19 crisis do not exacerbate existing drivers...

USIP and members of the China-Red Sea Arena Senior Study Group hosted an in-depth look at their new  report , featuring discussions on how China’s growing presence has brought infrastructure and economic opportunities to the region, while raising concerns about the sustainability, transparency, and long-term impacts of its engagement on countries in the Horn and the Gulf. The panel discussed recom...

In addition to the severe human cost, the COVID-19 crisis has forced Pakistan’s already suffering economy to a grinding halt. Social distancing policies, necessary to stop the spread of the virus, have sent the global economy reeling, paralyzed the informal economy, and left Pakistan’s most vulnerable without income and sustenance. USIP hosted a virtual expert panel to discuss the economic, politi...

USIP and members of the Afghan government’s negotiating team held an online discussion on recent developments, the challenges of getting intra-Afghan negotiations underway, and how the country can move closer to a political settlement for the decades-long conflict.   

USIP looked at creative solutions for responding to the confluence of coronavirus and conflict. USIP President and CEO Nancy Lindborg shared lessons from her experience responding to Ebola in West Africa and discussed why COVID-19 is a unique challenge to conflict-affected regions. This was followed by a panel discussion with experts from around the world on how security sectors are responding to...

USIP and the World Justice Project (WJP) delved into the findings from the WJP Rule of Law Index 2020. WJP’s chief research officer reviewed important insights and data trends from the report.

USIP hosted an online discussion with experts on the latest information regarding the COVID-19 situation in North Korea, the impact of COVID-19 on North Korea’s isolation vis-à-vis the international sanctions regime, the potential for instability in North Korean society, and the potential for sanctions relief to aid coronavirus response efforts.

Organized by the Swedish humanitarian agency Diakonia and the ACT Church of Sweden, the Colombian National Prize for the Defense of Human Rights honors social leaders as they continue to defend their communities’ right to security, land, education, health, reparations, and access to justice under the 2016 deal.

After over a year of intensive talks, press reports indicate that an official agreement between the U.S. and Taliban is imminent. The agreement reportedly begins with an immediate reduction in violence by all sides, followed by the signing of a U.S.-Taliban agreement. USIP hosted a panel of former U.S. government senior officials to discuss the significance of the reported agreement, the potential...

During this crucial period of reform and uncertainty in Ethiopia, USIP hosted a distinguished panel including representatives of the Office of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to look at the questions, possibilities, and problems offered by medemer.

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 Nati...

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 challeng...

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 Mi...

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 p...