The Institute – "an intellectual tool for preventive diplomacy" -- aims to educate people in the many ways the media interact with issues of war and peace. It welcomes two kinds of participants: persons from areas of recent, current or potential conflict; and persons from countries strongly concerned with international peace and security. It also plans a research program targeting urgent international peace-related questions in which the media play a significant role. By its education and research programs, and by its day-to-day contacts with UN and regional peacekeeping bodies, the Institute will contribute to new thinking about how free media can help prevent conflict and alert decision-makers, as well as the general public, to looming risks of war.