The Peace Operations Institute (POI) was established in late 2006 by staff from the International Peace Operations Association (IPOA). It is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public about peace and stability operations, and to promoting practical solutions to peacekeeping operations. POI encourages innovative collaboration to improve practices by engaging key actors involved in the resolution of, and reconstruction conflict, such as governments, regional organizations, non-governmental organizations and private sector firms, in the search for innovative ideas and solutions.

Background

IPOA was established in 2001 and rapidly became the world leader in knowledge and research conerning the private peace and stability operations industry. In 2005, IPOA became a member-led organization, and transformed into an influential trade association for companies active in conflict and post-conflict zones and disaster relief. As IPOA became a trade association and advocacy organization, research and education concerning the field of private peace and stability operations was no longer the core focus of IPOA.

POI was created to fill a gap in knowledge and understanding of the private peace and stability operations industry. POI focuses exclusively on researching the role of the private sector in peace and stability support operations, in an effort to increase understanding about the industry at the highest levels of academia and among the general public at large. In essence, POI's key aim is to encourage dialogue and promote discourse.

Mission

POI will has six primary activities in pursuing its educational purposes, as set forth:

1. Researching, analyzing and evaluating matters related to current peacekeeping practices, and collaborating with key actors in the field to identify best practices.

2. Seeking ways to increase cooperation, coordination and communication between different actors - including host and foreign governments, militaries, international organizations, non-governmental organizations and the private sector - in peace and stability operations worldwide.

3. Providing the public with accurate and productive information about the role of the private sector in peacekeeping operations, and the benefits of the private sector's involvement in such operations. POI's educational materials will be made available to the public through various sources, such as POI's website and its biannual publication, the International Contingency Operations Review.

4. Producing and publishing a peer-reviewed biannual publication, the International Contingency Operations Review. The Review will serve as a source of information, and educate the public about the importance of private peace operations.

5. Conducting surveys and establishing database programs reporting the results of such surveys; hosting in-depth research series; planning conferences and roundtables for open discussion on peace operations; promoting and funding annual studies on the state of global peace operations; and establishing a speakers bureau and permanent and ad-hoc working groups to facilitate open discussion about private sector involvement in peace operations. In order to recoup some of its production costs POI may charge a reasonable entrance fee for certain events. However, all events will be open to the general public.

6. Maintaining a website to educate the public about POI's mission and the services the Institute provides. The website will be a resource for the public, collecting the various educational information and materials described above.

In all of its programs and activities, POI will advocate for the use of ethical practices in all aspects of peace and stability operations.

Peace Operations Institute By-Laws