High-level seminar shared best practices for inclusion of women in peacemaking
The 8th High-Level Seminar on Gender and Inclusive Mediation processes promoted women’s effective participation and building inclusive, gender-sensitive mediation capacities.
Dr. Specioza Wandira-Kazibwe, Member of the African Union Panel of the Wise greets CMI’s Executive Director Tuija Talvitie.
CMI hosted the 8th High-Level Seminar on Gender and Inclusive Mediation Processes in Helsinki 10-12 October 2017. The two-day seminar provided a platform for 26 senior mediators from the UN, regional organizations, member states and international non-governmental organizations to discuss gender perspectives of conflicts and inclusion of women in mediation processes.
The overall objective of the High-Level Seminar is to generate more consultative processes by promoting women’s effective participation and building inclusive, gender-sensitive mediation capacities. The Seminar offers practical “how-to” strategies and tools for more inclusive mediation process design, as well as options for gender-relevant provisions for the key thematic areas of peace agreements. The High-Level Seminar is rooted in the premise that women living with conflict have strategic knowledge and networks to contribute to its resolution and can be actors in implementing sustainable peace.
Participants discussed models and tools of inclusion and shared best practices and lessons learned from different peace processes. The demand for practical tools as well as the need to strengthen the political and financial support were recognized as important ways of advancing the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda.
The Seminar is organized annually in partnership with UN Department for Political Affairs, Peace Research Institute Oslo and CMI with financial support of Finland and Norway. Hosting the High-Level Seminar in Helsinki amid Finland’s centenary celebrations marked Finland’s historical legacy and expertise in peace-making and gender equality.
You can read more about the seminar here.