Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, University of Notre Dame

06/04/2026

Last week, the Kroc Institute hosted its second annual Strategic Peacebuilding Academy, bringing together more than 60 mid-career practitioners, scholars, and policymakers from all corners of the globe.

Faced with complex global crises, this year's cohort leaned into a powerful and timely theme: "Modes of Healing." Together, we explored how arts, storytelling, ritual, and psycho-social trauma studies intersect with sustainable, long-term peace work.

A huge thank you to everyone who traveled to Notre Dame to share their expertise, and to our incredible keynote speakers—Fr. Emmanuel Katongole, Mike Wessells, and Layli Long Soldier—for grounding us in the deep connection between healing, kinship, and peace.

06/03/2026

A ceasefire without a clear political horizon is inherently fragile.

As regional dynamics shift between Israel, Lebanon, and Iran, peace mediation expert Laurie Nathan warns that temporary truces often function as strategic pauses to regroup rather than pathways to real peace. Lasting stability requires genuine political will and localized consent—not just short-term conflict management.

Learn more:

A truce isn’t necessarily doomed if the missiles are still flying. Here’s why.

05/22/2026

As we mark Memorial Day, it is vital to recall the holiday’s original historical intent: an effort to heal from the trauma of war and actively prevent its recurrence.

In a new analysis for Just Security, Visiting Professor Peter J. Quaranto explores why the imperative of building peace across polarized communities is so urgent today—and why it remains chronically underfunded and overwhelmed by a systemic push toward militarism.

Read More:

This Memorial Day is a good time for Americans to consider how to help mold a more peaceful future at home and abroad.

05/18/2026

The Peace Agreement Matrix Barometer Initiative has just released its tenth report on the status of the implementation of the Peace Agreement in Colombia. This report provides information on key milestones, challenges, and opportunities following nine years of implementation.

Read the executive summary now: https://go.nd.edu/230d0a

05/14/2026

We're immensely proud to announce that Gerard F. Powers, our Director of Catholic Peacebuilding Studies, has been honored with the 2026 Hesburgh Legacy Award.

Announced by Provost John T. McGreevy earlier this week, this prestigious award is reserved for faculty whose work reflects the spirit of Rev. Theodore Hesburgh, C.S.C.—marked by a deep commitment to the University’s mission, exceptional service, and a global vision for justice.

For decades, "Jerry" has been a cornerstone of the Kroc Institute and a leading voice in the Catholic Peacebuilding Network. His dedication to integrating theology, ethics, and international policy has not only shaped our students but has influenced peacebuilding efforts across the globe.

"Jerry’s work embodies the very heart of the Kroc Institute's mission. His recognition today is a testament to a career spent building bridges and fostering peace in the world's most challenging contexts."

Please join us in celebrating Jerry’s remarkable achievement and his enduring impact on the Notre Dame community and beyond!

Learn more: https://provost.nd.edu/faculty-recognitions/faculty-awards/

05/13/2026

Colombia stands at a historic threshold where political transition meets the reality of a narrowing window for peace. The Peace Accords Matrix's tenth annual report reveals a profound tension between institutional ambition and the lived experience of conflict. While restorative justice is finally delivering sentences and land adjudication is reaching record highs, nearly half of the 2016 Final Accord remains in a state of minimum implementation.

Stability depends on peace becoming a permanent state policy that transcends any single administration. With critical gaps remaining in gender and ethnic commitments, the next four years will decide the long-term sustainability of the process.

Learn more:

As Colombia stands at a historic threshold in the implementation of its 2016 Final Peace Agreement, decisions made in the coming months will be important for s…

05/13/2026

La Iniciativa Barómetro de la Matriz de Acuerdos de Paz acaba de lanzar su décimo informe sobre el estado de la implementación del Acuerdo de Paz en Colombia. Este informe ofrece información sobre hitos clave, desafíos y oportunidades después de nueve años de implementación.

Lee el informe ahora en https://go.nd.edu/InformesKrocCol

05/12/2026

As a dedicated peace scholar, Faiza Filali (BA '26) believes that true peace starts with human connection. "What matters most to me is the constant pursuit of seeing humanity in other human beings," she says. "That’s what leads to peace in the end." Centering her vocation on the urgent mission of nuclear nonproliferation, Faiza combines rigorous academic analysis with this deep empathetic commitment. She is preparing for a career as a scholar-practitioner focused on dismantling the structures of nuclear anxiety to build a more secure and peaceful future for the next generation.

Learn more about Faiza and her studies now:

Having grown up in both Louisiana and Morocco, Faiza Filali arrived at Notre Dame as a speaker of seven languages with plenty of global experience. So when she…

05/08/2026

Join us for the launch of our tenth report on the Colombian Peace Accord implementation. On Thursday, May 14, we will share a new look at the progress made over the last year and discuss key opportunities to move the peace process forward with a focus on intersectional approaches.

Learn more and register at https://go.nd.edu/KrocReport10

05/06/2026

Acompáñenos el 13 de mayo a las 10 a.m COT en la presentación de las principales conclusiones de nuestro décimo informe sobre la implementación del Acuerdo Final y los retos y oportunidades a los que se enfrenta el proceso de paz colombiano.

Más información en https://go.nd.edu/InformeKroc10