The Institute for Multi-Track Diplomacy

Overview of Our Activities

IMTD’s recent projects include training colonels in Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding at the National Defense University, shaping a peace zone linking India and Pakistan, and working for supporting the Water for the Poor Act. Read more about our Country and General Projects.

 

NEWS

IMTD & UNITED SIKH MISSION RELEASE GROUNDBREAKING FEASIBILITY STUDY ON SIKH PASSAGE OF PEACE

Ambassador John W. McDonald issued a joint statement with United Sikh Mission Chairman Mr. Rashpal Singh Dhindsa of Riverside, California on August 8th, 2010 stating that the dream of Sikhs the world over was one step closer to reality with the unveiling of a long-sought after feasibility study being completed and published with the help of civil engineer and Sikh activist, Surinder Singh, of Rockville, Maryland.  This announcement marks the culmination of two years of tireless work on the part of Ambassador McDonald and the Sikh community, represented by the Sikh Executive Steering Committee, formed in 2009 to help facilitate this effort.  This study has taken two years and approximately $100,000 USD of Sikh donations of money and volunteering time as well as expertise to make a reality.

 

Thanks to local advisors that Mr. Dhindsa recommended, Ambassador McDonald was introduced and met with Mr. Surinder Singh, a successful businessman and civil engineer from Rockville, Maryland and commissioned him to inspect both sites in India and Pakistan, make the necessary measurements, then to create the now completed feasibility study.  Mr. Singh, at great expense both personally and financially, travelled to all of the sites and met with many important stakeholders needed for this project to create this unique study, which takes into account all of the geospatial, topographic, and security-related elements involved in constructing and successfully implementing a peace corridor of this scale and complexity.  

Moving forward, Ambassador McDonald and Mr. Dhindsa are looking forward to Phase Two of this project.  Whereas Phase One was defined by information gathering and analysis, Phase two will be geared expressly toward lobbying and advocating members of the Indian and Pakistani Governments to approve the Corridor and work with the Sikh communities in India, Pakistan, and around the globe to build it according to the high standard both nations set in international initiatives of cooperation such as this.   

 

 Secretary of State Clinton Remarks on World Water Day

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton publicly addresses the water crisis and the need for international cooperation to combat water scarcity on 22 March, World Water Day. The observance of WWD originated from the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development.

States are invited to devote the day to implement the UN recommendations from the conference and to highlight each year a specific aspect of freshwater.  The theme this year was water quality, reflecting its importance alongside quantity in the resource management. Full interview.

Ambassador McDonald’s remarks: Secretary Clinton took a bold leadership role on the critical issue of water and sanitation.  Her depth of understanding of the multiple facets of the water problem, and her clear vision of the broad resources and strategies required to address it were truly heartening and far surpassed any comprehension evidenced by her predecessor. This has been by far the most positive view of water to ever come from a US administration. Overall, it was a fantastic speech and a great step forward in the global efforts to bring freshwater to the masses.

FIRST VOICE OUT OF HAITI

Mike Godfrey was the first to tell the world about the earthquake in Haiti. Godfrey is on the Board of Directors at IMTD and was working in Haiti at the time for DAI when the 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit. Read more about his story and his analysis of the relief work and the future of Haiti.

 

IMTD’S GREATEST IMPACT

Ambassador McDonald was interviewed in April  and asked what were the four greatest successes his organization has had since its inception in 1992.  The list begins with the first project in Cyprus and spans the almost two century life of the organization ending with the Peace Corridor in Pakistan and India. Read the Ambassador’s Top Choices:

1. Cyprus

2. Kashmir-People’s Bus

3. National Defense University

4. Peace Corridor

 

MEET THE AMBASSADOR

Our organization was founded and is led by Ambassador John W. McDonald, who spent 40 years in the U.S. Foreign Service, served as the Deputy Director General of the International Labor Organization, and was one of the main initiators of establishing the UN Environment Program, among others. Read more about the Ambassador’s 60-year career as a peacebuilder. View his series of interviews on video.

 

SUGGESTED READING

Ambassador McDonald recommends, The Community Diplomacy, An Effective Approach for Peace and the Development by Doudou Mirefu. The book features the work of IMTD and the use of Multi-Track Diplomacy in resolving conflict. Preview Chapter One.

 

 

WORKING METHODS

We only intervene in conflict upon its stakeholders request and all our funds go to our projects, because we do not spend money on payroll. IMTD is unique by using graduate students as Project Officers, who have broad authority to influence the direction of their work. Read more about our unique peacebuilding model…