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Organization Website Alliance Liaison Dedicated to fostering peace, cultivating justice, and creating a safer world, the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice (IPJ) of the University of San Diego, launched in late 2000, is an international nonprofit organization working to improve the lives of those caught in the web of armed conflict and human rights abuses. It is the fundamental philosophy of the IPJ that sustainable peace is possible only through the observance of human rights, the inclusion of civil society, and the incorporation of justice in peacebuilding processes. In collaboration with local partners around the world, the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice leads this effort to build peace with justice. Fostering Peace“Bear in mind, peace must be a way of life in which justice, not only for the individual but for humanity, must always prevail.” – Former Costa Rican President Rodrigo Carazo Odio speaking at the IPJ—2001 As the need for skilled peacemakers, diplomats, development planners, human rights advocates and humanitarian workers grows, the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice offers assistance in conflict assessments, facilitation, mediation, and training of citizens, military and political leaders, and NGO representatives in peacemaking and peacebuilding techniques. IPJ assistance seeks to enable people to resolve their own differences or to offer impartial third-party facilitation or mediation to find common ground. The IPJ leads workshops, dialogue processes, trainings, and mediation at its home in San Diego and in other countries when invited by parties in conflict. In Côte d’Ivoire, the IPJ has offered facilitation services to the nine parties in conflict through the sponsorship of the Minister of National Reconciliation and the U.S. Embassy in Abidjan. (See http://peace.sandiego.edu/reports/TR_cote.html) In Madagascar a few months after the outbreak of violence following presidential elections, the IPJ provided a conflict assessment for the U.S. State Department. (See http://peace.sandiego.edu/reports/TR_madagascar.html) In Nepal, the IPJ has engaged since 2001 with local Nepalese partners to resolve the nine-year internal conflict by preparing constituencies to participate in peace processes that foster democratic institutions. Following an extensive on-the-ground assessment in January 2003, the IPJ has conducted a series of trainings and workshops on increasing the capacity of Nepal’s civil society and political parties to negotiate and develop democratic policies and to be more effective in their respective sectors to mitigate conflict while addressing causes and contributors to the conflict. The Nepal Project at the IPJ also focuses on political party leadership through a Strategic Negotiation Program. “Your program has greatly helped us to see things in a more rational and down-to-earth manner. Your great contribution is in generating national and international support for peace through justice in our democratic set-up.” —Political party leader at IP’s Strategic Negotiation Skills Program in Nepal. (See http://peace.sandiego.edu/programs/nepal.html) In Rwanda, the IPJ provided conflict resolution training for women trainers from Burundi, Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, and Uganda at the request of the U.S. Embassy in Kigali. (See http://peace.sandiego.edu/reports/TR_rwanda.html) In Uganda, the IPJ conducted a conflict assessment in early 2004 for USAID; subsequently, the IPJ was asked to assist in the peace process led by mediator Betty Bigombe to end the 20-year-war in Northern Uganda that has pitted the government of President Yoweri Museveni against Joseph Kony of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), a rebel movement that claims it is fighting for democracy and a government based on the Ten Commandments. The IPJ has worked with the government of Uganda and the chief mediator since 2004. The IPJ had two people who served as independent international observers of the presidential and parliamentary elections in Gulu in February 2006. IPJ staff have been involved in peace, development, and democratization in Uganda since 1986. At home in San Diego, the IPJ seeks to advance peace through education and information on critical issues of the day through its Joan B. Kroc Distinguished Lecture Series. A forum for discussion of topical issues, the Joan B. Kroc Distinguished Lecture Series hosts high-level policymakers who are exploring new ways to prevent conflict and protect human rights. Endowed by the late Joan Kroc, the lectures influence and inform policymakers, faculty, students, and the general public. The lectures are available through distribution on the IPJ website, television, and published transcripts. For a complete list of speakers, log on to http://peace.sandiego.edu/programs/lectures.html. Cultivating Justice The Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice gives voice to victims of conflict and injustice who often lack the power and resources to be heard. As an international NGO with Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, the IPJ opens doors that are often closed to victims of conflict. Together with local partners in different countries, the IPJ supports accountability for human rights violations while recognizing the need for sensitivity to local preferences and traditions in reconciling groups and individuals in post-conflict situations. Through negotiations and mediation with political leaders, advocacy with governmental agencies and other NGOs, and training and building of civil society, the IPJ provides support to those who are working to address past injustices and prevent future conflict. By convening roundtables and strategy meetings on conflict and human rights issues, the IPJ aims to find common ground and help the global community restore human dignity to those stripped of their rights and robbed of their basic needs. In Nepal, the IPJ works with women and marginalized groups to promote inclusion of their perspectives in decision-making processes. Programs on “Women, Politics and Peace: Working for a Just Society,” and special workshops for human rights defenders have been held over the past 4 years to prepare the communities to not only end the conflict, but to handle transitional justice and post-conflict societal concerns. The IPJ Women PeaceMakers Program (WPM), funded by the Fred J. Hansen Foundation, recognizes and connects women who have an essential role in the building of a just and lasting peace. Each year, four women peacemakers come together at the IPJ in a safe space in which they can reflect on their lives and work. Each peacemaker captures her story with the help of a writing assistant and film documenters. Each peacemaker has financial support during her stay at the IPJ guesthouse so she can bring her story to the San Diego community and broader audiences through writings and film. At the same time, each peacemaker learns from her sister peacemakers in the program. These women on the frontline of efforts to end violence and secure a just peace have never had a chance to record their experiences, activities, and insights in depth. The IPJ seeks to collect their stories to understand the contribution of women in promoting just peace. For some of the women, the IPJ is a safe place and provides needed respite from the dangers they face at home. “The Women PeaceMakers Program was a unique opportunity to rest, reflect, and recreate your space. I became re-energized as I told my story and learned about other stories. I am back home now looking at the challenges from a new perspective and am determined to forge ahead.” Christiana Thorpe, IPJ Woman PeaceMaker from Sierra Leone. The WPM’s outreach allows the larger community to become aware of the important, heroic work women from all over the world are doing to build sustainable peace and to have their voices heard. The program provides the basis for these leaders to network with one another and to learn different techniques of peacebuilding. The WPM program at the IPJ has held annual international conferences since 2004 focusing on women’s voices in decision-making in situations of conflict and human rights abuses: In October 2004, the IPJ convened Promoting Women's Equal Participation in Peace & Security Processes: Operationalizing UN Security Council Resolution 1325. Conference co-conveners included the UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM); the Canadian Committee on Women, Peace and Security; and the Boston Consortium on Gender, Security and Human Rights. (See the conference report at http://peace.sandiego.edu/reports/ConferenceReports/1325.html) In November 2005, the Global Women's Court of Accountability: Public Hearing on Gross Violations of Women's Human Rights in Conflict and the Power of International Instruments to Address Gender-based Crimes heard from victims of gender-based crimes the profound depth and cost of human rights abuses against women in conflict environments. The mock tribunal examined the global community's use of legal, moral, and ethical resources to call for an accounting for these crimes against humanity. (See http://peace.sandiego.edu/programs/GlobalWomensCourtPg.html) From October 18-20, 2006, the IPJ will convene Who’s Making Policy? What Difference Does It Make? Co-convened with UNIFEM, this conference will bring together delegates and speakers from around the globe to explore positive outcomes, as well as inherent roadblocks, in efforts to hold governments, political parties, peacekeepers, armed forces, corporations, religious institutions, and civil society accountable for progress in incorporating women as essential partners and voices in peace negotiations, demobilization and disarmament, reconciliation, reconstruction, and development, and in the creation of new constitutions. (See Who Is At The Table What Difference Does It Make) A WPM video and reports on annual IPJ international WPM conferences provide learning tools to build women’s participation in global peace and justice (see http://peace.sandiego.edu/programs/women.html to purchase the video). In late 2005, Justice Richard Goldstone, in residence at the IPJ during fall semester, co-chaired a working meeting on The Relationship between International Criminal Justice and Conflict Resolution: Focus on the International Criminal Court. This meeting was designed to focus on the work of the International Criminal Court and the challenges it faces as it pursues justice in ongoing conflicts. Students from around the world come to the University of San Diego to study human rights and to better understand the roots and consequences of conflict. By educating young and mid-career professionals in peace and justice, the IPJ and USD increase the possibility for conflicts to be resolved through peaceful means. Community outreach through lectures, films, panels, and discussion groups builds understanding of and support for peaceful approaches to achieving human security. Creating a Safer World“Evil people cannot succeed if decent people prevent them.” An integral tool in the peaceful resolution of conflict is the inclusion of civil society, particularly women, in peace processes. The IPJ provides programs for women peacemakers from around the world, building the leadership and peacemaking skills they need to play a positive role in their communities and countries, and documenting their successes as models for future negotiations. From the San Diego region to countries such as Nepal and Côte d’Ivoire, the IPJ has helped citizens, media, youth, and local leaders better understand peace and justice issues. They in turn teach others, creating a network of skilled, motivated citizens working for peace and justice in the local and international arenas. Creating a safer world is more likely if its citizens are well informed. The Joan B. Kroc Distinguished Lecture Series provides a forum for discussion of topical issues. Endowed by a gift from Mrs. Kroc in early 2003, high level policymakers explore new ways to prevent deadly conflict and protect human rights. Past speakers have included Justice Richard Goldstone, Hanan Ashrawi, General Anthony Zinni, former Botswanan President Ketumile Masire, and Mary Robinson. On September 7, 2006, the Distinguished Lecture Series will welcome 2003 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Shirin Ebadi. Working to develop a more informed and educated new generation of global citizens, the IPJ, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of State and international nongovernmental organizations, and with the help of private donors, corporations, scholars, and local nongovernmental organizations, offers WorldLink, Connecting Youth to Global Affairs. Worldlink is a program to provide young people with their own powerful forum and motivate them to act for peace and justice in their daily lives through a year-round program of internships, research programs, panels, forums, and journalism opportunities. WorldLink offers high school students unique, real-world learning opportunities by bringing hundreds of students together to examine local concerns from a global perspective. Students from high schools throughout Southern California, and Baja California, Mexico gather each January for the annual Youth Town Meeting as part of a year-round program of opportunities to learn about global affairs and develop leadership skills. Themes for WorldLink have included state-building, nationalism, human rights, sustainable development, rights of the child, gender, HIV/AIDS, globalization, international responsibilities, social justice, indigenous peoples, and disarmament. Students also participate in other programs at the IPJ. For more information log on to http://peace.sandiego.edu/programs/worldlink.html As part of the IPJ’s strategy to train future leaders in the peace and justice field, an internship program offers graduate and undergraduate students from around the world the opportunity to work with IPJ staff to learn more about global conflict and human rights. During their semester-long internship, students track global conflicts and gender and human rights developments. Interns have the opportunity to learn how an NGO works, develop their research and writing skills, and become familiar with global conflict and human rights issues. Interns assist with IPJ-sponsored events, meet visiting scholars and dignitaries, and help with special projects. The IPJ has hosted students from Canada, Germany, Hungary, Iran, Ireland, Korea, Poland, South Africa, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The IPJ also trains volunteers in San Diego to assist with IPJ programs and events. For information on the IPJ internship program, log on to “I don’t think I’ve ever heard of another internship program that puts such emphasis on the personal, academic and professional development of its interns. The combination of our projects, assignments, and working on a daily basis with the Institute staff provided me with a lot of insight into the workings of an NGO and Track 2 diplomacy, and a great deal of clarity as to where I want to go with my career.”—Brian Israel (UCSD 2005) IPJ Intern—2004. Through ongoing research into how human rights and conflict resolution intersect, the IPJ shapes practical approaches to conflict management, balancing the need for accountability and justice with the basic goal of human security. Even if there were no current conflicts, the IPJ’s work would continue, for conflict prevention is only possible through the implementation of social justice. As the late Joan Kroc said at the dedication of the IPJ, “This is a place not just to talk about peace, but to make peace.” History of the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & JusticeThe Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice was launched in 2000 following a $25 million gift from philanthropist Joan B. Kroc. In November 2003, following Mrs. Kroc’s death, the University of San Diego received a $10 million endowment from her estate to support the IPJ’s peacebuilding work and a $40 million endowment to establish a School of Peace Studies, which is under development. Other public and private grants and donations support the IPJ in building a more just, tolerant, and peaceful global community. The 92,000 square foot Spanish Renaissance building at the University of San Diego that is home to the IPJ includes conference and meeting space for groups of 10-300, a 300-seat theatre, a Conflict Resolution Center suitable for negotiations and training, an executive boardroom that seats up to 36, residences for visiting dignitaries and scholars, a production studio, art galleries, outdoor garden meeting spaces overlooking the Pacific Ocean, and catering services. Facility rentals support IPJ programs. For information, email ipjopers@sandiego.edu
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