USIP: Leveraging International Support to Build Peace in the DRC

USIP: Leveraging International Support to Build Peace in the DRC

The United States Institute of Peace will be hosting a workshop titled “Leveraging International Support to Build Peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo” on March 18, 2010 from 9:30am to 3:30pm at the USIP headquarters, 1200 17th Street NW, Washington, D.C. This workshop builds on USIP’s October 2009 Trans-Atlantic Diaspora Dialogue, which outlined concrete steps that diaspora communities could take to help prevent conflict and promote peace in the DRC. These include providing input for U.S.-DRC policy and program development in Washington, D.C., participating in economic development and capacity-building initiatives, and supporting anti-corruption efforts at every level. The workshop will feature two panels: the first comprising representatives from U.S. government departments (e.g. State, Defense and the Treasury) and the second with representatives from development agencies (e.g. the World Bank, UNDP and USAID). This workshop aims to inform members of the diaspora and other stakeholders of ongoing development assistance programs in the DRC, provide a forum for a frank exchange of ideas and identify avenues for more effective diaspora involvement in peacebuilding.