A Governance Agenda for Preventing Violence in a Fragile World (Part 1)

The Islamic State’s resurgence in parts of Iraq and Syria and the sharp increase in terrorism in the Sahel serve as stark reminders that the underlying conditions that foment extremist violence remain firmly in place. In its final report to Congress, the USIP-convened Task Force on Extremism in Fragile States concluded that the United States can no longer rely solely on counter-terrorism to stave off the threat of violent extremism. Rather, to get ahead of the challenge, the U.S. must focus on eradicating terrorism’s root causes by encouraging good governance and political reforms in fragile states.

As more research reveals the linkages between poor governance, instability, and violence, the international policy community must develop a shared understanding of how support for responsive and responsible governance in fragile states can prevent violent extremism.

Join USIP, the National Democratic Institute, and the @George W. Bush Institute for a timely discussion on the way forward following the adoption of the Global Fragility Act and donor support foron political transitions out of fragility. This event will bring together thought leaders and practitioners—including USAID Administrator Mark Green and former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright—from across the peacebuilding, development, security, and democracy and governance communities. Together, they will explore the unique factors that democracy and governance strategies face in fragile states, as well as how various disciplines can collaborate on donor strategies that build state accountability and effectiveness alongside citizen engagement and inclusion.

Speakers:

9:00am - 9:30am: Refreshments

9:30am - 9:35am: Remarks

Nancy Lindborg
President and CEO, U.S. Institute of Peace

Derek Mitchell
President, National Democratic Institute

Lindsay Lloyd
Bradford M. Freeman Director of the Human Freedom Initiative, George W. Bush Institute

Keynote Address:

Mark Green
Administrator, U.S. Agency for International Development

10:00am - 11:30am: Voices from the NextGen at the Intersection of Democracy and Peace

Aluel Atem
Founder and Board Member, Crown the Woman-South Sudan

Jacob Bul Bior
Founding Member and Media Coordinator, #Anataban Campaign

Munira Hamisi
Director of Countering Violent Extremism, Mombasa County Government, Kenya

Samson Itodo
Executive Director, YIAGA Africa; Convener, Not Too Young to Run Movement

Emna Jeblaoui
President, International Institute of Human Development

Raj Kumar, moderator
President, Devex

Watch Part 2 of this event, with the below speakers, here:

12:00pm - 1:00pm - Luncheon Conversation: Understanding the Strategic Context for Strengthening Governance in Fragile States

Secretary Madeleine Albright
Chairman, National Democratic Institute; former U.S. Secretary of State

Stephen Hadley
Chair of the Board of Directors, U.S. Institute of Peace; former U.S. National Security Advisor

Nancy Lindborg
President and CEO, U.S. Institute of Peace

Derek Mitchell
President, National Democratic Institute

Nick Schifrin, moderator
Foreign Affairs and Defense Correspondent, PBS NewsHour

Connect with us!

The United States Institute of Peace is a national, nonpartisan, independent institute, founded by Congress and dedicated to the proposition that a world without violent conflict is possible, practical, and essential for U.S. and global security. In conflict zones abroad, the Institute works with local partners to prevent, mitigate, and resolve violent conflict. To reduce future crises and the need for costly interventions, USIP works with governments and civil societies to help their countries solve their own problems peacefully. The Institute provides expertise, training, analysis, and support to those who are working to build a more peaceful, inclusive world.