Events at USIP

Latest Episodes:

Twenty Years After 9/11: How Peacebuilding Has Changed Sep 10, 2021

Show notes

On September 10, 2021, USIP reflected on how the tragic events of 9/11 have shaped the field of peacebuilding. USIP Board Chair and former National Security Advisor Stephen J. Hadley, USIP Vice Chair Ambassador George Moose and USIP President and CEO Lise Grande discussed how the field of peacebuilding has changed in the last 20 years — and how it should evolve to meet the challenges that will define the next two decades.

Speakers

Lise Grande President and CEO, U.S. Institute of Peace

Stephen J. Hadley Chair, Board of Directors, U.S. Institute of Peace Ambassador George Moose Vice Chair, Board of Directors, U.S. Institute of Peace

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.usip.org/events/twenty-years-after-911-how-peacebuilding-has-changed

Religion, Identity and Conflict in Northern Nigeria Sep 09, 2021

Show notes

Conflict in northern Nigeria is once again on the rise. On September 9, USIP and Mercy Corps held a discussion about new research and evidence that examine the complex linkages between the political, economic and identity-based conflicts that are driving broader conflict in northern Nigeria — as well as the implications for policy and programmatic interventions. The conversation covered the multiple overlapping cleavages related to identity (including ethnicity and religion) and livelihood activities (such as farming and pastoralism) that continue to animate violence in the region.

Speakers

Oge Onubogu, moderator Director, West Africa Programs, U.S. Institute of Peace

Kaltumi Abdulazeez Program Officer, Community Initiative to Promote Peace (CIPP) Program, Interfaith Mediation Center Jason Klocek Senior Researcher, Religion and Inclusive Societies, U.S. Institute of Peace Assistant Professor, School of Politics and International Relations, University of Nottingham

Emmanuel Ogbudu Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager, Mercy Corps

Ryan Sheely Director of Research, Mercy Corps

Mukhtari Shitu Conflict Program Specialist, USAID

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.usip.org/events/religion-identity-and-conflict-northern-nigeria

Pakistan’s National Security Outlook: A Conversation with Pakistani National Security Advisor Moeed Yusuf Aug 06, 2021

Show notes

With escalating violence in Afghanistan, intensifying competition between the United States and China, limited hopes for rapprochement with India, and the COVID-19 pandemic, Pakistan’s neighborhood is evolving — and Pakistan’s national security approach will have to evolve with it. On August 5, USIP hosted a conversation with Pakistan’s National Security Advisor Moeed Yusuf. The discussion looked at what these developments mean for Pakistan’s national security outlook towards its neighbors and its relationship with the United States, as well as how the pandemic impacts Pakistan’s security and economic policy.

Speakers

Lise Grande, opening remarks President and CEO, U.S. Institute of Peace

Dr. Moeed Yusuf National Security Advisor, Islamic Republic of Pakistan

Ambassador Richard Olson, moderator Senior Advisor, U.S. Institute of Peace

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.usip.org/events/pakistans-national-security-outlook

Whose Court Is the Ball In? Making Progress on Peace and Denuclearization With North Korea Aug 04, 2021

Show notes

North Korea’s unwillingness or hesitation to meet with the United States raises questions about North Korea’s motivations, fears and calculus — as well as whether Washington and Seoul’s best course of action is greater outreach, pressure or patience. On August 4, USIP and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea co-hosted a discussion on the current state of diplomacy with North Korea.

Speakers

Ki-jung Kim President, Institute of National Security Strategy

Joseph Yun Senior Advisor, U.S. Institute of Peace

Gee Dong Lee Senior Research Fellow, Institute of National Security Strategy

Moon-soo Yang Vice President for Academic Affairs and Professor, University of North Korean Studies

Hee-Seung Na Former President, Korea Railroad Research Institute

Kathleen Stephens President and CEO, Korea Economic Institute of America

Markus Garlauskas Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council

Frank Aum, moderator Senior Expert, Northeast Asia, U.S. Institute of Peace

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.usip.org/events/whose-court-ball-making-progress-peace-and-denuclearization-north-korea

Addressing the Legacies of the Vietnam War: The Next Step Forward Aug 03, 2021

Show notes

The U.S. government will soon launch a Vietnamese Wartime Accounting Initiative following decades of Vietnamese cooperation to conduct the fullest possible accounting of missing U.S. personnel. To support this and other bilateral initiatives, USIP has established a new project that will promote greater dialogue both in and between the United States and Vietnam on war legacy issues and reconciliation. On August 3, USIP hosted a discussion with U.S. and Vietnamese officials on the Vietnamese Wartime Accounting Initiative and how it fits into broader efforts to overcome legacies of war.

Speakers

Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) U.S. Senator; Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations

Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien Deputy Minister, Vietnam Ministry of National Defense

Ha Kim Ngoc Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to the United States

Christopher Klein Chargé d’Affaires, U.S. Embassy in Vietnam

Colonel Thomas Stevenson U.S. Defense Attaché, U.S. Embassy in Hanoi

Ann Marie Yastishock Mission Director to Vietnam, USAID Major General Tran Quoc Dung Chief of the Executive Office, NSC-515

Lise Grande, welcoming remarks President and CEO, U.S. Institute of Peace

Ambassador George Moose, moderator Vice Chair, Board of Directors, U.S. Institute of Peace

Brian Harding, moderator Senior Expert, Southeast Asia, U.S. Institute of Peace

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.usip.org/events/addressing-legacies-vietnam-war-next-step-forward

Nuclear Security Policy in an Era of Strategic Competition Jul 29, 2021

Show notes

The Congressional Nuclear Security Working Group, co-chaired by Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) and Rep. Bill Foster (D-IL), is a bipartisan caucus dedicated to facilitating awareness and engagement on the urgent threats posed by the prospect of nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism. The caucus goals include strengthening nuclear safeguards, securing fissile material and preventing the misuse and spread of sensitive nuclear materials and technologies. On July 28, USIP hosted a conversation with Reps. Fortenberry and Foster to explore some of the key issues facing policymakers when it comes to nuclear nonproliferation, maintenance and modernization, and diplomacy in this era of strategic competition.

Speakers

Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) U.S. Representative from Nebraska @JeffFortenberry

Rep. Bill Foster (D-IL) U.S. Representative from Illinois @RepBillFoster

Lise Grande, moderator President and CEO, U.S. Institute of Peace

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.usip.org/events/nuclear-security-policy-era-strategic-competition

The Convention on Refugees at 70: A Conversation with Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield Jul 28, 2021

Show notes

Driven by violent conflict and insecurity, the world is facing a new displacement crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated displacement trends, pushing healthcare infrastructure to the brink and creating dire economic conditions as countries struggle to contain the virus. Meanwhile, climate change uprooted more than 30 million people—the highest figure in a decade. On July 28, USIP hosted U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield to reflect on the 70th anniversary of the Refugee Convention and its critical importance in the current global context. The discussion took stock of the global community’s efforts to protect the rights of refugees and asylum seekers under international refugee and humanitarian law and considered how the United States and its network of allies and partners can better protect those rights in a moment of profound global crisis and uncertainty.

Speakers

Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations

Lise Grande President and CEO, U.S. Institute of Peace

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.usip.org/events/convention-refugees-70-conversation-ambassador-linda-thomas-greenfield

China’s Potential Role in Venezuela’s Political and Humanitarian Crisis Jul 26, 2021

Show notes

China-Venezuela relations were strong at the outset of the 21st Century, but there are indications that China may be growing dissatisfied with the status quo. These include failed infrastructure projects, labor disputes, the challenges of navigating oil embargos and, most importantly, Venezuela’s inability to repay billions of dollars in loans from China. These economic interests will most likely be an important consideration as Beijing navigates its possible involvement in resolving the crisis. On July 22, USIP hosted a discussion on the nature of the China-Venezuela relationship, the role China could realistically play in support of a negotiated political settlement and how Washington and Beijing may be able to find common ground on key issues.

Speakers

Keith Mines, opening remarks Director, Latin America Programs, U.S. Institute of Peace

Adriana Erthal Abdenur, Executive Director, Plataforma CIPÓ (Brazil)

Marialbert Barrios Deputy, Primero Justicia, National Assembly of Venezuela

Matthew Ferchen Research Fellow, Leiden University

Yuan Mengqi Researcher, China-Latin America Issues, Institute for International and Area Studies, Tsinghua University

Joseph Tucker Senior Expert, Greater Horn of Africa, U.S. Institute of Peace

Amb. Thomas A. Shannon Jr., closing remarks U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, 2016-2018

Henry Tugendhat, moderator Senior Policy Analyst, China, U.S. Institute of Peace

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.usip.org/events/chinas-potential-role-venezuelas-political-and-humanitarian-crisis

Africa at the Crossroads: A Conversation with DRC President and AU Chair Félix Tshisekedi and Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA) Jul 23, 2021

Show notes

After being selected as the chair of the African Union this year, President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo set an ambitious agenda for 2021 — ranging from the promotion of African culture to peacebuilding to COVID-19 vaccine distribution. On July 20, USIP hosted a discussion with President Tshisekedi and Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA), chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Global Human Rights, that focused on a range of important issues confronting Africa, including strengthening democracy, human rights, economic growth, COVID vaccine availability and responding to peace and security challenges.

Speakers

Félix Antoine Tshilombo Tshisekedi President of Democratic Republic of the Congo, Chair of the African Union @Presidence_RDC

Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA) U.S. Representative; Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Global Human Rights @RepKarenBass

Dr. Joseph Sany Vice President, Africa Center, U.S. Institute of Peace @Josephsany1

Lise Grande, opening remarks President and CEO, U.S. Institute of Peace

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.usip.org/events/africa-crossroads-conversation-drc-president-and-au-chair-felix-tshisekedi-and-rep-karen

A (Pandemic) Year in the Life of a Peace Teacher Jul 12, 2021

Show notes

The Peace Teachers Program is rooted in the conviction that educators can be pivotal in bringing issues of international conflict and practical peacebuilding skills into their classrooms, schools and communities. Each school year, USIP selects a cohort of outstanding American middle and high school teachers from different U.S. states to receive education, resources and support to strengthen their teaching of international conflict and peace. On July 8, USIP hosted the 2019-2021 Peace Teachers as they shared their experiences, insights and strategies for engaging new generations in peacebuilding based on their time in the program — including how their own approaches to teaching conflict and peace evolved during this tumultuous period.

Speakers

Lise Grande, welcoming remarks President and CEO, U.S. Institute of Peace

Jill Armstrong Greenup County High School, Greenup, KY

Sarah Campbell Ketchikan High School, Ketchikan, AK

Katrina Gotschall O’Neill High School, O’Neill, NE

Emily Philpott St. Andrew’s Episcopal School, Ridgeland, MS

Megan Chabalowski Senior Outreach Officer, Public Education, U.S. Institute of Peace

Joanne Leedom-Ackerman, moderator Novelist, Short Story Writer and Journalist; Member, International Advisory Council, U.S. Institute of Peace

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.usip.org/events/pandemic-year-life-peace-teacher