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United States Institute of Peace

2301 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20037

202-457-1700
202-429-6063
http://www.usip.org

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
APPOINTEES FROM OUTSIDE FEDERAL SERVICE
ChairGeorge E. Moose
Vice ChairJudy Ansley

MembersEric S. Edelman
Joseph Eldridge
Stephen J. Hadley
Kerry Kennedy
Ikram U. Khan
Stephen D. Krasner
John A. Lancaster
Jeremy A. Rabkin
J. Robinson West
Nancy Zirkin

EX–OFFICIO MEMBERS
Department of StateSecretary Antony J. Blinken
Department of DefenseUnder Secretary for Policy Colin H. Kahl

National Defense UniversityPresident and Lt. Gen. Michael T. Plehn, USAF
U.S. Institute of Peace (nonvoting)President Lise Grande
https://www.usip.org/about/leadership/board-directors

SENIOR STAFF

SENIOR STAFF
PRESIDENTLise Grande

CHIEF OFFICERS
AdministrativeKathleen T. Ross
ExecutiveLise Grande
FinancialJoseph Lataille

Director of Overseas Safety and SecurityPaul Hughes
Special AdvisorPaul Hughes

VICE PRESIDENTS
Africa CenterJoseph Sany
Applied Conflict TransformationDavid W. Yang
Asia ProgramsAndrew Wilder
FinanceJoseph Lataille
Middle East and North Africa CenterMichael Yaffe
Policy, Learning and StrategyJoseph Hewitt
Strategic Stability and SecurityWilliam B. Taylor
https://www.usip.org/about/senior-staff

The United States Institute of Peace prevents, mitigates, and resolves violent conflicts around the world.

ESTABLISHMENT AND ORGANIZATION

On October 19, 1984, President Ronald W. Reagan approved Public Law 98–525, which also is cited as the "Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1985" (98 Stat. 2492). One hundred and sixty-nine pages in length, this new law authorized appropriations for the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy, as well as having other purposes, which included the establishment of "the United States Institute of Peace" (98 Stat. 2651).

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-98/pdf/STATUTE-98-Pg2492.pdf

On the same day that President Reagan approved the Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1985, he released a signing statement. In that statement, he noted the establishment of the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) within the context of affirming the "President's constitutional power to remove [members of the Board of Directors]."

https://www.reaganlibrary.gov/archives/speech/statement-signing-department-defense-authorization-act-1985

The Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1985, contains within it Title XVII, which also is cited as the "United States Institute of Peace Act" (98 Stat. 2649–2660). The Act established the USIP as an independent nonprofit corporation for developing, applying, and fostering cost-effective strategies and tools to prevent, mitigate, and resolve violent international conflicts, particularly those that threaten or harm America's strategic and security interests.

https://www.usip.org/about-us/history/usip-act

Title 22 of the United States Code (U.S.C.) contains codified statutory material on the topics of foreign relations and intercourse. Chapter 56 (sections 4601–4611) of 22 U.S.C. is dedicated to codified material that affects the United States Institute of Peace.

https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title22/chapter56&edition=prelim

By the advice and with the consent of the Senate, the President appoints the Institute's bipartisan Board of Directors. It comprises 12 members from outside Federal service; plus four ex officio members from inside Federal service: one from the State Department, one from the Department of Defense, one from the National Defense University, and the USIP President, who serves on the Board as a nonvoting member. The Board governs the Institute and appoints its President. No more than eight voting members may be from the same political party.

http://www.usip.org/aboutus/board.html

ACTIVITIES

The USIP supports U.S. national security and foreign affairs through conflict management and peacebuilding operations, training in conflict management and peacebuilding tradecraft and best practices, and conflict research and analysis. The USIP operates on the ground in conflict zones. It facilitates dialogue among parties in conflict, builds conflict management skills and capacity, identifies and disseminates best practices in conflict management, promotes the rule of law, reforms and strengthens education systems, strengthens civil society, and educates the public through media and other outreach activities.

https://www.usip.org/regions-countries

The USIP works in partnership with the State and Defense Departments, the U.S. Agency for International Development, nongovernmental organizations, higher and secondary educational institutions, foreign governments, and international organizations, to promote collaborative problem-solving through conflict management operations, training and analysis, facilitated dialogue, Track 1.5 diplomacy, and special events. The Institute conducts practitioner training in conflict management, including mediation and negotiating skills for government and military personnel, civil society leaders, and staff of nongovernmental and international organizations. The USIP extends its reach through grants, fellowships, and scholarships, to nonprofit organizations in the United States and overseas.

http://www.usip.org/issue-areas

Sources of Information

Archived Records

The "Guide to Federal Records in the National Archives of the United States" indicates that USIP records have been assigned to record group 573. The guide does not contain, however, a description that is associated with USIP records.

https://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/index-numeric/501-to-600.html

Blog

The USIP's official blog is called "The Olive Branch."

https://www.usip.org/blog

Career Opportunities

The USIP relies on knowledgeable, talented professionals to carry out its mission. A recent graduate typically starts as a program assistant. The ideal candidate is a high academic achiever; has a background in international relations or a related field; and possesses administrative, computer, research, and writing skills. Regional specialization and language skills may be required for some positions.

https://www.usip.org/about/careers-usip

Climate Change

The USIP posted a short piece on the outcomes of the 26th Conference of Parties of the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change, which took place in Glasgow, in 2021. A senior USIP advisor on the environment and conflict provided the following analysis and commentary: "Glasgow yielded a sobering, honest recognition of the injustices of climate change . . . . The impacts of climate change are agonizingly unfair, with richer countries responsible for the historic build-up of greenhouse gases that cause climate change in the atmosphere, while climate change harms most those who can protect themselves least, including the poorest communities in the world’s fragile states. In addition, our responses to climate change can exacerbate inequities within and between countries. The agreement reached at Glasgow takes a big step in recognizing the world’s need to address these injustices. It elevates the global focus on seeking climate equity, and in particular intergenerational equity."

https://www.usip.org/publications/2021/11/glasgows-summit-will-spur-change-climate-and-conflicts

Contact Information

The "Contact Us" web page has an electronic message box that allows visitors to send a comment or suggestion or to ask a question. Replies from the USIP are sent via email. The USIP postal address and phone number are also located at the bottom of the "Contac Us" page.

https://www.usip.org/contact

Education / Training

The USIP runs an academy for peacebuilders seeking to learn more about transforming violent conflict in their communities to peaceful coexistence. It also has nationwide programs that teach students and teachers about American approaches to peacebuilding.

https://www.usip.org/education-training

Electoral Violence

The USIP seeks to prevent election violence. Worldwide, 20 percent of elections become marred by violence. No continent is immune from and no level of development can prevent efforts to intimidate voters, to shut down polling stations, or to use police force excessively. To counter these threats to democracy, the USIP promotes civic education, election observation, police training, and preventative diplomacy.

https://www.usip.org/issue-areas/electoral-violence

Events

The USIP maintains an events web page.

https://www.usip.org/events

Experts

Working with governments and civil society groups worldwide, USIP experts conduct research and provide analysis, resources, and training for partners in conflict zones and in Washington, DC. They specialize in violent conflicts around the world and in issues such as advancing rule of law, countering violent extremism, electoral violence, governance, peace processes, and the roles of religion and technology in promoting peace or supporting conflict.

https://www.usip.org/experts

Federal Register

Documents that the USIP recently published in the Federal Register are accessible online.

https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/united-states-institute-of-peace

Grants / Fellowships

Information on USIP grants and fellowship programs is available online.

https://www.usip.org/grants-fellowships

History

In the 1960s and 1970s, veterans of the Second World War were assuming important roles in the U.S. Congress. Several of them were men of peace with a vision. To learn who they were and what they did to promote their vision, visit "The Origins of USIP" web page.

https://www.usip.org/about/origins-usip

Issue Areas

The "Issues Areas" web page allows visitors to explore USIP analysis, programs and publications within a topical framework.

https://www.usip.org/issue-areas

News

The USIP posts news items on its "Press" web page.

https://www.usip.org/press

Newsletter / Bulletin

The USIP publishes a weekly newsletter (i.e., "The Weekly Bulletin") and a monthly bulletin (i.e., "Public Education News").

https://www.usip.org/connect

Podcast Network

"USIP Events" presents same-day audio of USIP events that feature global leaders, policymakers, and practitioners, as they offer peaceful solutions for mitigating conflict in dangerous zones around the world. Additional audio productions include "Culturally Attuned" (podcast), "On Peace" (weekly discussions), and "The Peace Frequency" (in-depth interviews).

https://www.usip.org/podcasts

Publications

USIP articles, publications, and tools are accessible online.

https://www.usip.org/publications

Regions

The USIP is active in 52 countries and has staff in 18 of them.

https://www.usip.org/regions-countries

Social Media

The USIP has a Facebook account.

https://www.facebook.com/usinstituteofpeace

The USIP tweets announcements and other newsworthy items on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/USIP

The USIP posts video on its YouTube channel.

https://www.youtube.com/user/usinstituteofpeace

Speakers Bureau

The Speakers Bureau connects national networks and local organizations in the United States with leading USIP experts for virtual and in-person speaking events on themes that are relevant to the Institute’s mission.

https://www.usip.org/connect/usip-public-outreach

Strategic Plan

The 2020–2022 USIP Strategic Plan has been posted online for viewing and downloading.

https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/USIP-Strategic-Plan-2020-2022.pdf