Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
1. Acceptance of Terms
The Peace Commons website (“Website”) provides access to research, analysis, tools, guides, and other resources related to conflict analysis, conflict prevention, and building peace. The site includes a growing collection of materials originally published by the U.S. Institute of Peace (“USIP”), as well as materials from other sources.
The Peace Commons is an independent project supported by a grant from the Peacebuilder Grant Fund, administered by Pragmatic Panic. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by USIP. References to USIP identify the original source of particular materials. Views expressed in materials appearing on the Website are those of the respective authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Pragmatic Panic. Grant support does not imply institutional affiliation or endorsement. The term “Providers” includes The Peace Commons, Pragmatic Panic, and their affiliates.
The Website was conceived, developed, and is managed by former communications and digital staff of USIP who were dismissed during the unlawful 2025 takeover of the institution.
By accessing or using the Website, the party and any entity such party is affiliated with (“you”) agree to be bound by these Terms of Use, as amended from time to time (the “Terms”). If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not access or use the Website.
2. Use of Site Content
Resources, content and any materials available through the Website (“Resources”) are provided for informational, educational, and research purposes. The Resources do not constitute legal, policy, financial, or other professional advice.
Some Resources were created and originally published at an earlier date. These Resources may reflect the facts, circumstances, terminology, institutional positions, or views existing at the time of original publication. The Website and its Providers do not represent that Resources have been updated to reflect subsequent events or developments.
The Website and its Providers make reasonable efforts to accurately identify the source, author, publication date, and other relevant information associated with each Resource, but does not guarantee that all Resources are complete, current, or free from errors.
3. Ownership of Site Content
Except for third-party and government materials described in Section 4 below, the compilation, organization, selection, and presentation of all Resources on the Website, together with the Website's original text, graphics, logos, and design elements, are owned by the Providers and their licensees and are protected by copyright, trademark, and other applicable laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, adapt, create derivative works from or otherwise modify, or republish Resources without appropriate prior written permission, except as permitted under Section 4.
4. Copyright and Reuse of Third-Party Resources
Resources appearing on the Website may be protected by copyright or other intellectual property rights. Those rights remain with the respective authors, publishers, photographers, organizations, or other rights holders.
The inclusion of a Resource on the Website does not transfer ownership or create a general right to reproduce, distribute, adapt, create derivative work from or otherwise modify, or republish it. With respect to some Resources, a notice, license, reuse terms, or other rights information accompanying an individual Resource governs the use of that Resource.
Some Resources may be available under a Creative Commons or other public license. When a Resource is identified as being subject to such a license, the Resource may be used in accordance with the terms of that license, including any applicable attribution requirements.
All Resources, including all text, images, photographs, graphics, audio, video, organizational names, logos, and other third-party content and materials retain the rights and restrictions established by their respective owners, and may not be used in a manner that suggests affiliation or endorsement by the Website or the Providers.
Requests to reproduce or otherwise use Resources should be directed to the applicable copyright or rights holder. Questions about Resources created specifically for the Website may be sent to info@thepeacecommons.org.
5. Copyright Complaints (Notice and Takedown)
If you believe that any Resources on the Website infringes your copyright, you may send a written notice toinfo@thepeacecommons.org identifying the copyrighted work, the Resources you believe are infringing and its location on the Website, and your contact information. We will review and respond to good-faith notices and may remove or disable access to material as appropriate.
6. Prohibited Uses
You agree not to use the Website to:
- Violate any applicable federal, state, or local law or regulation;
- Attempt to gain unauthorized access to the Website, its servers, or any connected systems;
- Interfere with or disrupt the operation of the Website, including through the introduction of viruses or malicious code;
- Scrape, harvest, or systematically download content in a manner inconsistent with these Terms or an applicable Resource's license; or
- Misrepresent your affiliation with, or the endorsement of, the Website or any rights holder.
We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your access to the Website for any violation of these Terms.
7. External Links
The Website links to websites and resources maintained by other organizations and individuals. These links are provided for reference and do not imply endorsement.
The Website does not control external websites and is not responsible for their content, availability, accuracy, security, accessibility, or privacy practices. When you follow an external link, you become subject to the terms and policies of that website.
8. Privacy and Data Collection
The Website and the Providers do not sell personal information or collect information for commercial marketing purposes.
The Website may use cookies and analytics services to measure Website traffic and understand how visitors use the site. These services may collect limited technical information, such as browser or device type, general location, pages viewed, referring website, and date and time of access. This information is used to operate and improve the Website, assess which Resources are most useful, and identify technical or accessibility issues. It is not used by the Website or the Providers to identify individual visitors for commercial marketing purposes.
You can generally configure your browser to block or delete cookies, although doing so may affect how some Website features function. Information processed by third-party analytics or technology providers is also subject to their terms and privacy practices.
At this time, the Website does not alter its data collection or use practices in response to "Do Not Track" signals from your browser.
9. Children's Privacy
The Website is not directed to children under the age of 13, and the Website and the Providers do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided personal information through the Website, please contact us at info@thepeacecommons.org so that we may address it.
10. Accessibility
The Website is committed to making its resources accessible to the broadest possible audience.
Some historical documents, archived files, or materials created by outside sources may not be fully accessible. If you encounter an accessibility barrier or need assistance accessing a resource, contactinfo@thepeacecommons.org. We will make reasonable efforts to provide the information in an accessible format.
11. Disclaimer of Warranties
THE WEBSITE AND ITS CONTENTS ARE PROVIDED ON AN “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE” BASIS. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE WEBSITE DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT, AND MAKES NO WARRANTIES CONCERNING THE ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS, RELIABILITY, AVAILABILITY, SECURITY, OR SUITABILITY OF THE WEBSITE OR ITS CONTENTS.
12. Limitation of Liability
TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE WEBSITE, THE PROVIDERS AND THEIR PROJECT STAFF, CONTRIBUTORS, FUNDERS, ADMINISTRATORS, CONTRACTORS, AND SERVICE PROVIDERS WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR ANY LOSS OF DATA, USE, OR GOODWILL, ARISING FROM THE USE OF, INABILITY TO USE, OR RELIANCE ON THIS WEBSITE, ITS RESOURCES, OR ANY LINKED EXTERNAL RESOURCE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
13. Indemnification
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Website, the Providers and their project staff, contributors, funders, administrators, contractors, and service providers from any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees, arising out of or in any way connected with your access to or use of the Website or your violation of these Terms.
14. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
These Terms are governed by the laws of the District of Columbia, without regard to its conflict-of-laws principles. Any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Website shall be brought exclusively in the courts located in Washington, DC, and you consent to the personal jurisdiction and venue of those courts.
15. Termination
The Website and the Providers may suspend or terminate your access to all or part of the Website at any time, with or without notice, for any reason, including any violation of these Terms. Sections of these Terms that by their nature should survive termination (including Sections 4, 11–14, and 16–19) shall survive.
16. Changes and Contact Information
The Website may update these Terms, including when the Website or its technology changes. Revisions will be posted on this page with an updated effective date. Your continued use of the Website after any revision becomes effective constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms.
Questions about these Terms, the Website, the Resources, accessibility, or other site-related matters may be sent to: info@thepeacecommons.org.
17. Severability
If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid, that provision will be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect.
18. Entire Agreement; No Waiver
These Terms constitute the entire agreement between you and the Website, as well as the Providers, regarding your use of the Website and supersede any prior agreements. Any failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms will not be considered a waiver of that right or provision.
19. Assignment
The Website and the Providers may assign these Terms without restriction, including in connection with any merger, acquisition, or transfer of assets.
Effective Date: August 10, 2026