What's the aim of MIPRI?

MIPRI is an initiative from the University of Münster’s Welcome Centre (a division of the International Office) aiming to further position Münster as an intellectual and geographical locale for peace and conflict related research. We also want to advance top-notch international research cooperation with our international partners: PRIO (Peace Research Institute Oslo), University of California Berkeley, University of São Paulo and University of Hiroshima. The project is currently funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG).

Why the focus on Münster ?

Münster has a rich history in peace-building dating back to the singing of the Westphalian Peace Treaty. Connections between Münster and peace-building activities are widely recognized at regional, national, and international levels; every two years the Wirtschaftliche Gesellschaft für Westfalen und Lippe (WWL) awards the International Prize of the Peace of Westphalia, honoring personalities or representatives of states and groups who have shown particular commitment to European integration.
Besides the rich history of the city, the University of Münster, especially its Cluster of Excellence for Religion and Politics, also provides a strong foundation for excellent research opportunities, not only, but also in peace and conflict related research. In fact, the unique combination of the city’s history and peace tradition and excellent and innovative research at the university make Münster the perfect starting point for MIPRI.