The International Institute of Peace

The International Institute of Peace (IIP) is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and strengthening peace through research, dialogue, and policy recommendations. The institute serves as a platform for fostering inclusive multilateralism and supporting evidence-based solutions to global peace and security challenges. Its activities include research, convening policymakers, and providing strategic advice on multilateral processes .

Location

The International Institute of Peace is headquartered in Vienna, Austria. However, it should be noted that there are similarly named organizations, such as the International Peace Institute (IPI), which is based in New York and has had regional offices in Manama, Bahrain, and previously in Vienna, Austria.

History

The International Peace Institute (IPI), often referenced in global peace studies, was founded in 1970 with the support of UN Secretary-General U Thant. Its original purpose was to study United Nations peacekeeping and develop doctrine in this field. Over the decades, IPI expanded its focus to include the political dimensions of war and peace, launching programs such as the Africa Program and producing influential case studies on UN field operations.

Establishment and Founders

The International Peace Institute (IPI) was established in 1970. Its founding was made possible through the efforts of Ruth Forbes Young, a philanthropist, and Major General Indar Jit Rikhye, an Indian military officer who became the institute's first president. The creation of the institute was also strongly supported by the United Nations, particularly Secretary-General U Thant.

Financial Sponsors

The initial financial backing for the International Peace Institute came from Ruth Forbes Paine Young, whose philanthropic contributions were instrumental in its establishment. Over the years, the institute has received support from various sources, including governments, foundations, and private donors, although specific current sponsors are not detailed in the available sources.

Website and Contact Information

• Website: https://www.ipinst.org/
• Contact Information: The main contact details can be found on the institute's website.

Iran’s Perspective

From Iran's perspective, there are local organizations aligned with the mission of international peace institutes, such as the Iranian Peace Studies Scientific Association (IPSAN). IPSAN, established in 2015, is a non-profit, interdisciplinary institution licensed by the Ministry of Science and Technology Research of Iran. It aims to advance peace studies and culture within the country, recruiting members from a range of academic fields. IPSAN's contact information is as follows:

• Phone: +98 9382112237
• Email: Peace_association93@yahoo.com
• Website: www.ipsan.ir

Additionally, the International Institute for Peace Through Tourism (IIPT) has an Iran Chapter, established in April 2018, focusing on promoting peace through tourism and intercultural dialogue.

Prominent Research Figures

• Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein (Jordan): IPI’s President since 2021, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, has prioritized climate diplomacy and multilateral conflict resolution .
• Adam Lupel (USA): Vice President and COO, specializing in peacebuilding and transnational security challenges.
• Faisal Bin Muaammar (Saudi Arabia): Secretary-General of KAICIID, collaborates with IPI on interreligious dialogue initiatives in Muslim-majority regions.

Key Fields of Concentration

IPI’s research focuses on:

1. Peace Operations: Advising UN peacekeeping missions and regional organizations .
2. Climate and Sustainable Development: Integrating climate diplomacy into conflict prevention.
3. Women, Peace, and Security: Promoting gender-inclusive policies in conflict zones.
4. Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs: Addressing civilian protection and statebuilding.

Relations to the Islamic World

• Partnerships with OIC and KAICIID: IPI collaborates with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and KAICIID to combat religious intolerance and support intra-Muslim dialogue in conflict areas like Myanmar and Nigeria.
• Middle East Regional Office: IPI maintained a regional office in Manama, Bahrain, until 2020, focusing on Gulf security and mediation.
• Doha Forum Collaboration: IPI partnered with Qatar’s Doha Forum in 2024 to address global governance challenges, reflecting engagement with Gulf states.

Publishing and Significant Reports

ICM Final Reports:

Analyzed multilateral approaches to peacebuilding, including climate security and cyber governance.

Policy Briefs:

• Rethinking Peacebuilding: Transforming the UN Approach (2014).
• From the Margins to the Mainstream (2014), addressing organized crime and multilateral responses.

Blue Papers:

Focused on mediation, global terrorism, and the Responsibility to Protect (RtoP) doctrine.

Impacts and Partnerships

• UN System: IPI advises UN agencies on peacekeeping and conflict resolution .
• Regional Collaborations: Partnered with the African Union and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) on conflict mediation.
• Iran-Linked Initiatives:
• IIPT Iran Chapter: Promotes peace through tourism and intercultural dialogue, aligning with IPI’s multilateral ethos.
• Iranian Peace Studies Scientific Association (IPSAN): A Tehran-based organization advancing peace studies domestically, though not directly linked to IPI.

Critique of the International Institute of Peace: Iran’s Perspective

General Critique and Distrust of International Organizations

From the perspective of Iranian policymakers and scholars, international organizations-including peace institutes-are often viewed with skepticism due to perceived Western dominance and double standards. This mistrust stems from several historical and political experiences:

• Perceived Bias and Double Standards: Iranian elites frequently argue that international organizations, established and influenced by Western powers, have demonstrated partiality-especially regarding Iran’s nuclear program, human rights, and regional security issues3. The belief is that these organizations have failed to treat Iran fairly, applying standards inconsistently and serving the interests of dominant global powers rather than upholding universal principles.
• Historical Grievances: Iran’s experience with the United Nations during the Iran-Iraq War, where the Security Council was seen as failing to remain impartial, has deepened this mistrust. Such historical episodes reinforce the perception that international organizations act more as instruments of Western policy than as neutral arbiters .

Concerns about Hidden Objectives

Iranian analysts and officials sometimes suggest that behind the stated goals of peace and conflict resolution, such institutes may pursue hidden agendas:

• Influence Operations and Narrative Shaping: There is concern that think tanks and peace institutes serve as tools for soft power, aiming to shape regional narratives and public opinion in ways that align with Western or adversarial interests. For example, the influence of think tanks and their analyses in regional media is seen as a way to legitimize certain foreign policies and delegitimize Iran’s positions, particularly regarding resistance movements and regional deterrence strategies.
• Policy Instrumentalization: Institutes may be perceived as supporting the strategic objectives of Western governments, especially in areas like sanctions, nuclear negotiations, and regional security, rather than genuinely advancing impartial peace . This is reinforced by the experience of economic sanctions, which, despite humanitarian exemptions, have had severe impacts on the Iranian population, leading to the belief that such measures are part of a broader strategy of coercion rather than peacebuilding.

Concerns about Infiltration and Counter-Narratives

Recent research has highlighted Iranian efforts to engage in “shadow diplomacy” by placing experts in Western think tanks to influence policy and counter hostile narratives. This underscores the perception that the field of international peace and policy research is a contested space, with both sides seeking to advance their own strategic interests through ostensibly neutral institutions.