Since 2000, the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice (IPJ) has been in the field working with local partners in conflict-affected countries to bring together governments, the military, human rights advocates, and civil society, particularly marginalized groups, to address the inequalities that fuel conflict and find paths to sustainable peace. Through dialogue, training, negotiations and advocacy, the Institute includes social justice in peace processes in order to prevent a cycle of violence. As part of the University of San Diego's Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies, the Institute employs best practices in peacebuilding and uses its experience on the ground to inform academics and practitioners on effective peacebuilding strategies and techniques.