In a world marked by conflict, division, and displacement, peacebuilding begins with meaningful dialogue and the courage of individuals dedicated to shaping a peaceful future. The Carter Center, a leader in conflict transformation, works to address the root causes of conflict and foster peaceful solutions by transforming the relationships, structures, and attitudes that fuel discord.
UCF Global Perspectives and International Initiatives (GPII) invites you to a timely conversation with Barbara Smith, Vice President of Peace Programs at the Carter Center. Drawing on decades of experience in some of the world’s most fragile regions, including post-Taliban Afghanistan, post-war Bosnia, and the Middle East, Smith will share her insights into the importance of inclusive peace initiatives. The discussion will highlight the critical yet often overlooked efforts of those working to heal divided societies and rebuild lives in post-conflict settings.
Moderated by: David Dumke, Executive Director for the Office of Global Perspectives and International Initiatives (GPII).
3:00 – 4:30 PM EST
This event is free and open to the public.
You can download the University Map, here.
Advanced Registration is REQUIRED. Please REGISTER HERE. For additional details download the Event Flyer.
We look forward to seeing you there!
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Speaker: Barbara Smith, Vice President for Peace Programs at the Carter Center
Barbara Smith oversees the Carter Center’s democracy, human rights, conflict resolution, and rule of law programs, which operate projects and observe elections in countries across the globe.
Before coming to The Carter Center in September 2020, Smith was principal and founder of the international development consulting firm Mountain Time Development. She also was a senior associate at the Center for Strategic & International Studies, focused on the Human Rights Initiative, conducting field work and research on civil society. Her wide-ranging career also includes assignments at the United States Agency for International Development and with the National Security Council in the White House.
At USAID, Smith held a number of positions, most recently as deputy assistant to the administrator in the Bureau of Policy, Planning, and Learning. She also co-led the team that created the seminal USAID 2013 Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance Strategy, which is applied across the approximately 100 countries where USAID works. Other positions she held at USAID included senior policy analyst, deputy coordinator for Middle East Transition Response during the Arab Spring, and senior field advisor for democracy and governance.
Smith served on the National Security Council as a director for Afghanistan and Pakistan affairs and as senior director for governance and law at the Asia Foundation. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, she was a spokesperson for the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees. In Afghanistan, she was assistant country representative for the Asia Foundation, where she also directed the foundation’s efforts to assist Afghanistan in holding its first post-Taliban elections.
Smith earned a bachelor’s degree in government from the University of Texas and a master’s degree in political science from Texas State University.