David R. Smock
Vice President, Center for Mediation and Conflict Resolution, Religion and Peacemaking Center of Innovation
Contact
Phone: (202) 429-3843
E-mail: dsmock@usip.org
David R. Smock is the vice president of the Institute's Center for Mediation and Conflict Resolution and associate vice president of the Religion and Peacemaking program, one of the Centers of Innovation. Previously he served as director of the USIP's Grant Program and coordinator of Africa activities.
He has worked on African issues for more than 30 years and lived in Africa for 11 years. As a staff member of the Ford Foundation from 1964 to 1980, he served in Ghana, Kenya, Lebanon, Nigeria and New York.
From 1980 to 1986, Smock served concurrently as director of the South African Education Program, a scholarship program that brings black South African students to U.S. universities and vice president for program development and research for the Institute of International Education. After serving as executive associate to the president of the United Church of Christ from 1986 to 1989, Smock became executive director of International Voluntary Services, supervising development projects in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
He received an M.Div. from New York Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. in anthropology from Cornell University.
Publications:
- Managing A Mediation Process, co-author (USIP Press, 2008).
- Religion in World Affairs: Its Role in Conflict and Peace
Special Report (February 2008) - Uganda/Lord's Resistance Army Peace Negotiations
USIPeace Briefing (February 2008) - New Strategies for Darfur
USIPeace Briefing (April 2007) - How to Respond to Somalia's Current Crisis
USIPeace Briefing (August 2006) - Religious Contributions to Peacemaking: When Religion Brings Peace, Not War
Peaceworks (January 2006) - Applying Islamic Principles in the Twenty-first Century: Nigeria, Iran, and Indonesia
Special Report (September 2005) - Teaching about the Religious Other
Special Report (July 2005) - Ijtihad: Reinterpreting Islamic Principles for the Twenty-first Century
Special Report (August 2004) - The Role of Religion in Iraqi Politics
USIPeace Briefing (December 2003) - Religious Politics in Iraq
USIPeace Briefing (May 2003) - Building Interreligious Trust in a Climate of Fear: An Abrahamic Trialogue
Special Report (February 2003) - Would an Invasion of Iraq Be a "Just War"?
Special Report (January 2003) - Islam and Democracy
Special Report (September 2002) - Islamic Perspectives on Peace and Violence
Special Report (January 2002) - Interfaith Dialogue and Peacebuilding, editor (USIP Press 2002).
- Religious Perspectives on War, revised edition (USIP Press 2002).
- Faith-Based NGOs and International Peacebuilding
Special Report (October 2001) - Catholic Contributions to International Peace
Special Report (April 2001) - Post-Genocidal Reconstruction: Building Peace in Rwanda and Burundi
Special Report (September 1999) - Can Nigeria Make a Peaceful Transition to Democratic Governance?
Special Report (December 1997) - NGOs and the Peace Process in Angola
Special Report (April 1996) - Perspectives on Pacifism: Christian, Jewish and Muslim Views on Nonviolence and International Conflict, (USIP Press 1995).
Available on usip.org
- Exploring Conflict in the Great Lakes Region
Congressional Testimony, December 4, 1996
Resources & Tools
May 2010
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Peace Brief
by Stephanie Schwartz
Recent incidences of ethno-religious violence in northern Nigeria have alarmed the international community to the point where Nigeria is now perceived as a potential breeding ground for transnational terrorism and violent religious extremism. According to Nigeria expert John Paden, this characterization is false. If anything, Nigeria is a hotbed of Islamic moderation. Countries: Africa, Nigeria
| Issue Areas: Education, Identity, Ethnicity, and Culture, Religion, Terrorism and Political Extremism, Youth
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April 2010
In coordination with the United Nations Mediation Support Unit and in collaboration with a number of other mediation institutes and experts, USIP is developing a series of "best practices" handbooks on key aspects of mediation and peacemaking. |
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March 2010
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On the Issues
by David R. Smock
Longstanding religious and political tensions in Nigeria erupted into bloodshed this month, marking the latest in a series of clashes between Muslims and Christians that have claimed the lives of hundreds of people this year. USIP’s David Smock answers some questions related to the recent developments in Nigeria and its stability. Countries: Nigeria
| Issue Areas: Identity, Ethnicity, and Culture, Religion, Terrorism and Political Extremism
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September 2009
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Peace Brief
by David R. Smock
USIP's David Smock explores the factors underlying and perpetuating the militancy in the oil-rich Niger Delta region of Nigeria. In this report, based on an 11-day trip to Nigeria in late August 2009, Smock analyzes the prospects for the amnesty process, and why stronger political processes and economic development could help address the roots of the conflict there. |
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August 2009
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Book
by Daniel Brumberg and Dina Shehata, editors
Conflict, Identity, and Reform in the Muslim World highlights the challenges that escalating identity conflicts within Muslim-majority states pose for both the Muslim world and for the West, an issue that has received scant attention in policy and academic circles. |
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January 2009
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Special Report
by David Smock and Qamar-ul Huda
Muslims in general and Muslim leaders particularly have often been severely criticized for not more energetically condemning the violent acts of Muslim extremists. The uninformed often assume that extremists represent Islam’s mainstream. Issue Areas: Peacebuilding, Religion
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August 2008
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Book
by David R. Smock and Amy L. Smith
Managing the Mediation Process offers an overview of the process of mediating interstate and intrastate conflicts. Each of its six chapters covers a different step in the process, identifying what needs to be done at that step and how best to accomplish it. |
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August 2008
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Practitioner Tool
by David R. Smock and Amy L. Smith
Managing a Mediaiton Process is the first handbook of the Peacemaker’s Toolkit series. This handbook provides a methodology for mediating interstate and intrastate conflicts. Each of the six chapters covers a different step in the process, identifying what needs to be done at that step and how best to accomplish it. Issue Areas: Conflict Management and Resolution, Mediation and Facilitation
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February 2008
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Peace Brief
by David Smock
Writing from peace talks in Juba, Southern Sudan, David Smock, present as an observer, analyzes negotiations between the Lord's Resistance Army and the Ugandan government. Countries: North Uganda, Uganda
| Issue Areas: Conflict Management and Resolution, Negotiation and Diplomacy
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April 2007
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Peace Brief
by David R. Smock
While the humanitarian and security crises continue in Darfur, there have been some improvements in recent weeks, including the decrease in civilian casualties. However, in the first two months of 2007, 80,000 people were forced from their homes because of violence. How can the international community help enhance peacekeeping in Darfur? Countries: Sudan
| Issue Areas: Conflict Management and Resolution, Humanitarian Efforts, Negotiation and Diplomacy
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January 2007
David Smock is interviewed on Ethiopia's invasion of Somalia, and event that thrusted Somalia back into the international spotlight. |
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August 2006
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Peace Brief
by David Smock with assistance from Emily Hsu
The current crisis in Somalia is much more complicated than simply a conflict between Islamic extremists and moderates. U.S. policy toward Somalia must be more all-encompassing. |
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September 2005
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Special Report
by David Smock
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July 2005
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Special Report
by David Smock
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August 2004
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Special Report
by David Smock
Issue Areas: Political Systems and International Relations, Religion
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August 2004
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Arabic Report
by David Smock
Issue Areas: Religion
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April 2004
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Congressional Testimony
by Faleh A. Jabar, Amatzia Baram, David R. Smock
A Special Discussion on Capitol Hill Sponsored by The Faith and Politics Institute and the United States Institute of Peace. Countries: Iraq
| Issue Areas: Governance, Identity, Ethnicity, and Culture, Religion, Terrorism and Political Extremism
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January 2003
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Special Report
by David Smock
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September 2002
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Special Report
by David Smock
Issue Areas: Governance, Political Systems and International Relations, Religion
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August 2002
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Book
by David R. Smock
In this volume, Jews, Muslims, and Christians with very diverse views address such issues as the just war doctrine, explaining their differences and finding often surprising common ground. Issue Areas: Conflict Analysis, Religion, Use of Force
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May 2002
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Book
by David R. Smock
Drawing on their extensive experience in organizing interaction and cooperation across religious boundaries in the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, Northern Ireland, and the Balkans, the contributors explore the formidable potential of interfaith dialogue. Issue Areas: Civil Society, Peacebuilding, Religion
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January 2002
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Special Report
by David Smock
Issue Areas: Conflict Management and Resolution, Peacebuilding, Religion, Use of Force
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October 2001
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Special Report
by David Smock
Issue Areas: Nongovernmental Organizations, Peacebuilding, Religion
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September 1999
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Special Report
by John Prendergast and David Smock
Countries: Burundi, Rwanda
| Issue Areas: Identity, Ethnicity, and Culture, Peacebuilding, Post-Conflict Activities, Use of Force
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August 1999
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Special Report
by John Prendergast and David Smock
Countries: Congo, Democratic Republic of, Congo, Republic of the
| Issue Areas: Identity, Ethnicity, and Culture, Peacebuilding, Post-Conflict Activities
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February 1999
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Special Report
by David R. Smock
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December 1997
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Special Report
by David R. Smock
On October 23, 1997, the United States Institute of Peace and the U.S. Department of State cosponsored a one-day roundtable discussion of diplomats, scholars, and nongovernmental organization specialists from the United States, Nigeria, and the United Kingdom on the current transition in Nigeria. The purpose was to assess the current sociopolitical conditions of Nigeria, evaluate the transition, and offer policy options for the United States. |
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April 1997
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Special Report
by David R. Smock
On January 16, 1997, the United States Institute of Peace and the U.S. Department of State cosponsored a one-day roundtable discussion of diplomats, scholars, and nongovernmental organization specialists on the unfolding crises in Zaire-both the complex humanitarian emergency and civil war in eastern Zaire and the ongoing crisis of governmental legitimacy and capacity stemming from a lagging transition to multiparty democracy. |
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December 1996
Testimony of David Smock before the Congressional Human Rights Caucus. Countries: Congo, Democratic Republic of, Rwanda
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December 1996
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Congressional Testimony
by David R. Smock
Testimony of David Smock before the Congressional Human Rights Caucus Issue Areas: Conflict Analysis, Human Rights
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April 1996
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Special Report
by David Smock and John Prendergast
A United States Institute of Peace team spent time in Angola in February to explore how Angolan and international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) can promote reconciliation in Angola as part of the postwar peace process. The recommendations the team prepared are directed primarily at Angola but could apply to other countries engaged in peacebuilding. Countries: Angola
| Issue Areas: Conflict Management and Resolution, Nongovernmental Organizations, Peacebuilding
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February 1996
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Peaceworks
by David R. Smock
The good work of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in recent conflicts in such countries as Somalia, Haiti, and Bosnia is well known—providing food, shelter, medicine, and a host of other materials and services under extremely difficult conditions. But does humanitarian assistance in some cases actually exacerbate conflict? Countries: Africa
| Issue Areas: Conflict Analysis, Conflict Management and Resolution, Humanitarian Efforts
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October 1995
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Book
by David R. Smock and Chester A. Crocker, editors
The U.S. Role in Peacemaking Countries: Africa
| Issue Areas: Conflict Analysis, Conflict Management and Resolution, Early Warning & Conflict Prevention
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March 1995
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Book
by David R. Smock
Christian, Jewish, and Muslim Views on Nonviolence and International Conflict Issue Areas: Conflict Management and Resolution, Religion
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December 1993
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Book
by David R. Smock, editor
Foreign Intervention in Africa Countries: Africa
| Issue Areas: Conflict Analysis, Conflict Management and Resolution, Humanitarian Efforts, Peacebuilding, Post-Conflict Activities, Use of Force
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December 1992
The purpose of the meeting was to see if this diverse gathering of Somali professionals could develop consensusre commendations about how to promote more effective relief efforts in Somalia and how to advance toward political reconciliation and reconstruction Given their divergent perspectives, the group was able to achieve an impressive degree of consensus on key points. The purpose of this report is to summarize these points of consensus. Countries: Somalia
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Events
June 16, 2010
The Africa Program of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and the United States Institute of Peace are jointly hosting a discussion with two key leaders of the international effort to manage the difficult transition in Sudan: former South African President Thabo Mbeki, now head of the African Union High Level Implementation Panel (Sudan), and Haile Menkerios, the special representative of the U.N. secretary-general in Sudan and head of the United Nations Mission in Sudan. Please note: This event will be webcast live beginning at 4:00pm EDT on June 16, 2010 at www.usip.org/webcast.html. Countries: Africa, Sudan
| Issue Areas: Conflict Management and Resolution, Early Warning & Conflict Prevention, Post-Conflict Activities
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May 4, 2010
The U.S. Institute of Peace has been developing a new series of handbooks for practitioners and educators about the art of mediation which constitute “The Peacemaker’s Toolkit.” To formally launch the Peacemaker’s Toolkit, USIP will held a public workshop on May 4 featuring authors of three of the handbooks. |
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March 15, 2010
Nigeria has come under increased scrutiny as a possible hotbed of international terrorists. To discuss whether this is a credible conclusion the U.S. Institute of Peace is hosting a public workshop on March 15 featuring John Paden, Clarence Robinson Professor of International Studies at George Mason University, and David R. Smock, Vice President at the U.S. Institute of Peace. Countries: Nigeria
| Issue Areas: Civil Society, Conflict Management and Resolution, Human Rights, Mediation and Facilitation, Nongovernmental Organizations, Religion
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December 9, 2009
Serious and contentious questions surround the issue of how the international community should relate to Somalia. Should major support be given to the Transitional Federal Government? Should the African Union peacekeeping force be expanded? |
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October 15, 2009
USIP's Daniel Brumberg joined a panel of guest speakers, including Congressman Keith Ellison, for a lively discussion of USIP's new volume "Conflict, Identity, and Reform in the Muslim World." Countries: Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Morocco, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Turkey, United Arab Emirates
| Issue Areas: Civil Society, Economics and Development, Governance, Human Rights, International and Regional Organizations, Negotiation and Diplomacy, Nongovernmental Organizations, Peacebuilding, Religion, Terrorism and Political Extremism
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October 7, 2009
Grand Mufti of Egypt, His Excellency Dr. Ali Gomaa will speak about moderation in Islam and the challange of religious extremism. |
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June 12, 2009
Countries: Africa, Somalia
| Issue Areas: Economics and Development, Security and Strategy, Weapons & Arms Control
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June 2, 2009
Issue Areas: Mediation and Facilitation, Religion
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March 11, 2009
As the International Criminal Court considers the chief prosecutor’s request for an arrest warrant for Sudanese president Omar Hassan al-Bashir, there is an ongoing debate concerning the relationship between efforts to achieve peace in Sudan, especially in the Darfur region, and efforts to achieve proper accountability. This panel explored the relationship between peace and justice in three past cases — the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, the Special Court for Sierra Leone, and the International Criminal Court’s actions in Uganda — to collect lessons that are relevant to Sudan. |
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March 10, 2009
A public event co-sponsored by the U.S. Institute of Peace and The Center for Strategic and International Studies Countries: Somalia
| Issue Areas: Conflict Management and Resolution, Political Systems and International Relations, Security and Strategy
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February 20, 2009
Roundtable discussion co-sponsored by the United States Institute of Peace and The United Nations University Issue Areas: Religion
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December 17, 2008
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November 12, 2008
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October 21, 2008
Issue Areas: Peacebuilding, Religion
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June 10, 2008
Issue Areas: Religion
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May 2, 2008
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April 29, 2008
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March 24, 2008
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November 20, 2007
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November 13, 2007
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September 26, 2007
Countries: Philippines
| Issue Areas: Conflict Analysis, Human Rights, Humanitarian Efforts, Political Systems and International Relations
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September 20, 2007
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September 5, 2007
Countries: Somalia
| Issue Areas: Conflict Analysis, Conflict Management and Resolution, Peacebuilding
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May 23, 2007
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March 14, 2007
Countries: Africa
| Issue Areas: Conflict Management and Resolution, Environment and Natural Resources, Governance
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January 24, 2007
Issue Areas: Religion
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December 1, 2006
Issue Areas: Conflict Analysis, Conflict Management and Resolution, Religion
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November 30, 2006
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November 7, 2006
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October 16, 2006
Countries: India, Kashmir, Pakistan
| Issue Areas: Conflict Management and Resolution, Negotiation and Diplomacy
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October 5, 2006
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October 4, 2006
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August 28, 2006
Issue Areas: Conflict Analysis, Religion
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May 16, 2006
Countries: Africa, North Uganda, Sudan, Uganda
| Issue Areas: Mediation and Facilitation, Negotiation and Diplomacy
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May 2, 2006
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March 22, 2006
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March 15, 2006
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February 3, 2006
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November 7, 2005
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September 20, 2005
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April 21, 2004
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March 19, 2004
Issue Areas: Religion
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December 17, 2003
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April 1, 2003
On April 1 the United States Institute of Peace and the Faith & Politics Institute cosponsored a special workshop on Capitol Hill to engage participants in an exploration of the potential role for faith, and the faithful, in promoting peace in the Middle East. Countries: Israel, Palestinian Territories
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December 17, 2002
Countries: Iraq
| Issue Areas: Political Systems and International Relations, Religion, Use of Force
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June 18, 2002
Issue Areas: Governance, Religion
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May 16, 2000
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April 16, 2000
Countries: Burundi
| Issue Areas: Humanitarian Efforts, International and Regional Organizations, Peacekeeping
| Programs: Grants & Fellowships
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