CIPS is an unique institution – the only one of its kind established with the purpose of conducting research and training in matters related to UN Peacekeeping Operations (UNPKOs). Its mandate is, however, not restricted to the relatively narrow field of peacekeeping. The studies at CIPS are organized within the overarching discipline of Peace & Conflict Studies. This relatively new branch of social sciences is devoted to identifying and analysing the nature of conflict with a view to finding solutions through peaceful and non-violent means. Notwithstanding the fact that peace is an elusive commodity, humankind has always yearned for it. In the past few decades this desire for peace has translated into well structured genre of scholarly studies and scientific investigation. At the heart of these studies is an honest effort to prevent and defuse tensions and seek solutions to conflicts using the tools of negotiations, mediation and arbitration at all levels. This requires multi disciplinary knowledge from areas as diverse as political science, strategic studies, defence and diplomatic studies, geography, economics, psychology, sociology, international relations, history, anthropology, religious studies, and gender studies, as well as a variety of others. The objective of peace studies is to create a win-win situation for all parties involved in a dispute. This is in contrast to waging wars and attaining pyrrhic victories through fair means or foul..