USIP and Peace Appeal hosted two panel discussions with the authors of the Institute’s recent report, “National Dialogues in Peacebuilding and Transitions: Creativity and Adaptive Thinking.” The conversations assessed the impacts of six national dialogues in Africa and the Middle East several years after the conclusion of these processes. 

The first panel focused on Lebanon, Senegal and Tunisia and examined inclusivity and representation in national dialogues in these countries. The second panel discussed national dialogues in Central African Republic, Kenya and Yemen and reflected on international involvement in these processes. Both panels drew lessons for practitioners and policymakers who are contemplating future national dialogues. 

Elizabeth Murray, moderator

Elie Abouaoun

Penda Ba 

Derek Brown 

Daniel Brumberg 

Erica Gaston

Jimmy Ochieng

Rachel Sullivan 

Susan Stigant, moderator

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.usip.org/events/national-dialogues-peacebuilding-and-transitions

On June 24, 2021, Iraq’s Minister of Planning Khalid Najim and Minister of Migration and Displacement Evan Jabro joined USIP to discuss the current situation and challenges to stabilization, reconstruction and reform efforts in Iraq. The discussion also shed light on the status of Iraq’s displaced communities and recent returnees — including ethnic and religious minorities and those at al-Hol camp — as well as the Iraqi government’s plans for the future.

Michael Yaffe, opening remarks 

Minister Khalid Batal Najm

Minister Evan Faeq Jabro

Sarhang Hamasaeed, moderator

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.usip.org/events/conversation-iraqs-planning-and-migration-ministers

On June 17, USIP hosted a discussion on the latest findings from USIP’s Iraq Conflict and Stabilization Monitoring Framework, which collects data directly from conflict-affected communities across Nineveh province. The conversation shed light on the current reality of Iraq’s ethnic and religious minorities, as well as the challenges to their safe and sustainable return, signs of progress and the implications of Iraq’s upcoming national elections in October. This event was livestreamed in English and Arabic.

Mike Yaffe, opening remarks 

Osama Gharizi

Negina Sawez 

Adad Youssef 

Sarhang Hamasaeed, moderator

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.usip.org/events/iraqi-minorities-views-possibilities-peace-and-stability

On June 16, USIP, the Harvard Law School Project on Disability and their fellow co-sponsors hosted a conversation on the gaps and opportunities in disability-inclusive peacebuilding and steps for the greater inclusion and participation of people with disabilities. This event was an official side event to the 2021 Conference of State Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Professor Michael Stein, welcoming remarks

Gerard Quinn, introductory remarks

Rashad Nimr

Fon Dieudonne

Emina Ćerimović

Professor Janet E. Lord

Charlotte McClain-Nhlapo, co-moderator

Elizabeth Murray, co-moderator

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.usip.org/events/disability-inclusive-peacebuilding

On June 14, USIP, along with the University of Notre Dame's Keough School of Global Affairs and its Ansari Institute for Global Engagement, took a closer look at the complex social, political, economic and religious factors that fuel discrimination towards religious minority communities during periods of political uncertainty. Panelists discussed cross-national trends identified through the USAID-USIP Closing the Gap project, as well as recent events in Myanmar and Iraq. They will also examined anti-Semitism in a global context. And finally, this conversation considered lessons from the U.S. context and explore policy interventions for reducing tensions and promoting peace. 

Mahan Mirza, opening remarks

Sabrina Dent

Billy Ford

Knox Thames

Jason Klocek, moderator 

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.usip.org/events/religious-discrimination-during-crises-global-perspective

On June 10, USIP hosted a conversation with several of the book’s leading authors and other experts on the project’s findings and its implications for the practice of peace and conflict diplomacy. Panelists debated how to adapt our diplomatic strategies to shape a more effective, agile and inclusive system of international cooperation, as well as considered how to make room for diverse voices — including regional organizations and civil society — while maintaining a sense of unity and common purpose.

Lise Grande, welcoming remarks

Dr. Chester Crocker, introductory remarks

Ambassador George Moose, moderator

Ambassador Barbara Bodine

Ambassador Jean-Marie Guéhenno

Dr. Fen Hampson

Dr. See Seng Tan

Dr. Solomon Dersso

Pamela Aall, closing remarks

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.usip.org/events/peace-and-conflict-diplomacy-turbulent-world

On June 9, USIP hosted a timely conversation, moderated by Ambassador George Moose, with the lead author of “Global Trends 2040,” from the National Intelligence Council as well as a panel of global leaders and scholars from across the national security, development and private sectors. Panelists evaluated the findings from this year's report and consider how a range of actors can harness these trends to shape a more secure and prosperous future.  

Lise Grande, opening remarks

Avril Haines, video message

Maria Langan-Riekhof, framing remarks

Kamissa Camara

General F. Carter Ham (USA, Ret.)

David Miliband

Ambassador George Moose, moderator

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.usip.org/events/global-trends-2040-navigating-more-contested-world

Operation Safe Corridor (OSC), Nigeria’s national rehabilitation and reintegration program for members of Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa who have surrendered, defected or were repentant, remains among the most mature and large-scale disengagement programs that currently exist. 

In a recently released report, USAID’s Office of Transition Initiatives details unique findings on OSC’s demobilization, disassociation, reintegration and reconciliation effort. Drawing from data collected from OSC graduates, communities where reintegration is occurring and other sources, the report provides key programming and policy insights on the individual and community impact of rehabilitation and reintegration of armed actors from violent extremist organizations. 

Join USIP, the report’s authors and experts on Nigeria and violent extremism to discuss these timely, policy-relevant findings about what it really takes for armed actors to leave terrorism behind. The conversation will look at ways to better understand policy-relevant trends like the risks of recidivism, explore effective predictors of support for violence, and uncover how community members actually view reintegratees.

MaryAnne Iwara 

Nikki Milnes

Dean Piedmont 

Oge Onubogu, moderator

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.usip.org/events/leaving-boko-haram-behind

A recently published book by the Kakar History Foundation and Heart of Asia Society titled “In Search of Peace for Afghanistan: Historical Letters of President Najibullah and Dr. M. Hassan Kakar — A Collection of Essays.” This essay collection considers the correspondence between the former Afghan president and one of the country's leading scholars regarding Afghanistan's post-Soviet future and the lessons that can be drawn as the country navigates the U.S. troop withdrawal. 

On May 26, USIP and the book's publishers hosted a discussion with several of the contributing authors, both Afghan and American, for reflections on Afghan politics and the country's relationship with the international community as U.S. troops withdraw.

Ambassador Lakhdar Brahimi, keynote remarks

Ambassador Richard Olson, welcoming remarks

Belquis Ahmadi

Robert Crews

Kawun Kakar

Ambassador Janan Mosazai

Omar Sharifi

Omar Sadr

Dipali Mukhopadhyay, moderator 

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.usip.org/events/search-peace-afghanistan-historical-perspectives

On May 13, 2021, USIP hosted a panel of experts for a look at the complex social, political and economic factors fueling the current insurgency in Mozambique, as well as a discussion of potential avenues for intervention to increase peace and stability in Cabo Delgado.

Lise Grande, opening remarks

Cidia Chissungo

Gregory Pirio

Ambassador Carlos dos Santos

Joseph Sany, moderator

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.usip.org/events/crisis-mozambique-pathways-peace-cabo-delgado