On Tuesday, February 25, the GPAC 11 and 12 classes visited the United States Institute of Peace (USIP). The visit began with a tour and presentation led by Ellie Quinlan, USIP’s Manager of Public Visitor Programs. Students learned that the USIP was established by Congress in 1984 as an independent, nonpartisan organization to promote peace and resolve conflicts globally. Located on the Capitol’s skyline, USIP serves as a national symbol of peace, transparency, and openness, which are reflected in the building’s architecture. In fact, as Quinlan explained to the group, architect Moshe Safdie was highly deliberate in creating a space filled with natural light, reaching every working space. From the open atriums that promote collaboration to the transparent office walls that foster a shared sense of purpose, the intentionality behind USIP’s architecture was inspiring to all. The GPAC class was particularly wowed by the building’s ceiling, which resembles a dove’s wings, encapsulating the theme of peace. 

Following the tour, the group was led to a conference room, where each GPAC member had the opportunity to share about their individual projects, ranging from the Peruvian response to the Venezuelan exodus to tuberculosis among India’s tribal population. Here, the class also watched a presentation on USIP’s work in relation to the U.S. government. Various USIP missions were also mentioned—from collaborating with the Vietnamese government to support bilateral relations with the U.S. post-war to gaining insights from Central and Latin American refugees to create stability in the region. GPAC students were intrigued by how their own projects aligned with global peacekeeping efforts, as it was a meaningful way to see the practical applications of their research. As GPAC teacher Ms. Bridget Gagne commented, “One of our goals is to show you how this work moves beyond the Potomac bubble. So, yes, you could be someone who is really interested in academia and pursuing a life of research at the collegiate level. You might also be someone who’s really interested in policy. You could be someone who is interested in something more like service and aid and working for NGOs. What I like about the Institute of Peace is that their work shows that breadth because they’re so ingrained in research, but they also have action. And so I think they’re a great institution to show you just the wide variety of opportunities that work like GPAC exposes you to.”

Overall, the visit was an enriching experience for the group. Ms. Gagne shared her hopes for the future: “I would love to set up a regular visit there…I think that building a stronger relationship with the Institute of Peace opens up the doors to so many opportunities because they cover so many GPAC-relevant areas.”