The Honorable George P. Shultz
U.S. Secretary of State, 1982-1989

The Reverend Theodore M. Hesburgh
President Emeritus, University of Notre Dame

A National Center for Peacemaking

The last century marked the most violent and destructive era in human history. Wars great and small cut short the lives of more than 100 million people. Events in recent years have signaled more violence and terror to come in a world where disputes are fueled by religious intolerance, widening ethnic divisions, failing states, terrorism, intractable territorial conflicts, and the uncontrolled proliferation of highly destructive weaponry.

Today societies and markets are interconnected in a way that was unimaginable half a century ago. Interethnic rivalries in far corners of the world may have seemed of little consequence to earlier generations. In the new century, however, even small conflicts risk growing to a scale that can destroy lives and economies around the world.

As the context of conflict has changed, so too must the tools of diplomacy and peacebuilding. The contemporary world requires a new concept of national security – one that emphasizes preventing and managing international conflicts to maintain the peace so we minimize the need to use force to restore the peace.

The United States must be an international leader in non-violent conflict management. The world in conflict needs an organization committed to peacemaking: one that can deploy teams of specialists to conflict zones; create and implement methods of resolving disputes before guns are drawn; and train leaders who can mediate conflicts and make civil societies work.

This challenge is being met by the independent, nonpartisan United States Institute of Peace. Established by Congress in 1984, the Institute works on behalf of the American people to prevent and resolve international conflicts, as well as to sustain the peace once violence has ended.

To advance its mission, the Institute has set an ambitious course to build a headquarters and Public Education Center on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. This is a building designed to inspire, teach and prepare future generations of peacemakers and to be a symbol of America’s commitment to reducing violent international conflict in the 21st Century.

If the United States is serious about peacemaking, the Institute must have a permanent home from which to serve the country and the international community. There can be no more timely and urgent project to command our commitment and energies. As honorary chairs of the Building for Peace Campaign of the United States Institute of Peace, we ask that you join us in supporting this most worthy project.

Mission