The Institute for Environmental Diplomacy and Security(IEDS) is a transdisciplinary research center, based at the

University of Vermont The University of Vermont and State Agricultural College, commonly referred to as the University of Vermont (UVM), is a Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Burlington, Vermont, United States. Foun ...

(UVM), aimed at the study and practice of techniques that resolve destructive environmental conflicts, and to using ecological processes as tools of peace-building. IEDs was founded under the auspices of the James M. Jeffords Center at UVM in 2010, which is named in honor of former US Senator

Jim Jeffords James Merrill "Jim" Jeffords (May 11, 1934 – August 18, 2014) was an American lawyer and politician from Vermont who served as a member of the Vermont Senate from 1967 to 1969, Attorney General of Vermont from 1969 to 1973, and later serve ...

. The founding director of the Institute was Professor Saleem Ali, who is now a member of the United Nations

International Resource Panel The International Resource Panel is a scientific panel of experts that aims to help nations use natural resources sustainably without compromising economic growth and human needs. It provides independent scientific assessments and expert advice on ...

and the Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel of the Global Environment Facility

Mission and programs

IEDS operates within a framework of 3 broad themes that capture its mission and vision: *''Borderlands'': Boundaries in physical and

cognitive space A cognitive model is a representation of one or more cognitive processes in humans or other animals for the purposes of comprehension and prediction. There are many types of cognitive models, and they can range from box-and-arrow diagrams to a se ...

can be defining themes of diplomacy. IEDS explores how human

territoriality In ethology, territory is the sociographical area that an animal consistently defends against conspecific competition (or, occasionally, against animals of other species) using agonistic behaviors or (less commonly) real physical aggression. ...

can be constructively configured so geopolitical boundaries work within ecological principles. *''Resource Values'': Natural resources have values in both economic and ecological terms, and often a disjuncture in these values leads to conflict. IEDS works to find effective mechanisms for ascribing, communicating, and implementing values that minimize conflict. *''Pragmatic Peace'': Public policy has often been polarized between "

hawks Hawks are bird of prey, birds of prey of the family Accipitridae. They are very widely distributed and are found on all continents, except Antarctica. The subfamily Accipitrinae includes goshawks, sparrowhawks, sharp-shinned hawks, and othe ...

" and "

doves Columbidae is a bird family consisting of doves and pigeons. It is the only family in the order Columbiformes. These are stout-bodied birds with small heads, relatively short necks and slender bills that in some species feature fleshy ceres. ...

", with each side dismissing the other's motives and methods. IEDS works to reconcile these differences by promoting a practically implementable vision of peace. Within this framework IEDS has operationalized four major program areas: *''Experiential Learning'': Online and field oriented programs for conventional students and mid-career professionals *''Measured Mediation'': Providing mediation services with latest technical tools and measuring indicators of success *''Participatory Action Research'': Conducting empirical research that is calibrated to community needs *''Clinical Case Compendia'': Documenting diplomatic processes that lead to conflict resolution while providing security Current funding support for IEDS comes from governmental and private grants. Training programs in environmental diplomacy and security as well as targeted mediation services are also planned as revenue sources for operations.IEDS at the University of Vermont
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References

{{University of Vermont Environmental organizations based in the United States Nonpartisan organizations in the United States Foreign policy and strategy think tanks in the United States University of Vermont Organizations based in Burlington, Vermont