The Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR) seeks to strengthen local journalism in areas of conflict. By training reporters, facilitating dialogue and providing reliable information, it supports peace, democracy and development in societies undergoing crisis and change. IWPR's work is distinguished by intensive on-the-job training, practical collaboration between international and regional journalists to transfer skills and experience for the long term. The Institute takes training out of the classroom and conference hall and brings it into the field, assisting the professional development of the media while addressing journalists' and editors' immediate, day-to-day priorities. Widely known for its award-winning website and electronic publications in nine languages, IWPR's activities are based on an integrated programme of support through the entire journalistic process: basic training; story development and writing; editing, publication and local syndication; local debate and evaluation. By improving the capacity of local journalists to produce balanced and accurate reporting in the public interest, the activities are designed to contribute to public understanding of political issues within the region as well as internationally, with an emphasis on democratisation, human rights, conflict resolution and development. IWPR manages major programmes in Afghanistan, the Balkans, the Caucasus and Central Asia, with a special reporting project on war crimes tribunals. The Institute maintains offices in Almaty, Belgrade, Bishkek, The Hague, Kabul, Skopje, Tashkent, Tbilisi and Dushanbe, with representatives in Baku, Sarajevo, Tirana, Vladikavkaz and Yerevan. Field offices build local networks, engage in extensive training and editing, and host practical workshops and discussion sessions. Co-ordination and intensive expert support is provided by IWPR's training, editing and logistics team, based in London. The overall programme toolbox is adapted for each country project based on local needs, problems and available resources, and includes investigative and cross-community reporting, training the trainers, collaboration with local human rights groups, regional conferences, and research and consultancy for international media and development agencies. An international media development charity, IWPR is led by senior journalists and peace researchers, with staff drawn from established media such as the BBC, The Guardian and Reuters. The Institute is a partnership between the London-based charity established in 1991, and the recently formed IWPR (US), based in Washington, DC, 501(c)(3) charitable status pending.