and launch of
Toolkit on Women, Peace, and Security
created by
International Alert  + Women Waging Peace

November 18-20, 2004
Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice 
San Diego, CA

OVERVIEW

The Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice (IPJ), with the UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), the Canadian Committee on Women, Peace and Security (CCWPS), and the Boston Consortium on Gender, Security and Human Rights , is convening a working conference on advancing the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (Res 1325) November 1 8- 2 0, 2004 in San Diego, California. The international community is invited to recommend representatives from government, civil society, and I/NGO leaders working on peace and security issues for participation in the conference .

Building on recommendations from the October 2004 UN Res 1325 4 th anniversary report and alternative reports on efforts to implement Res 1325, attendees will be working face to face on next steps for greater engagement of women in conflict early warning and early response, peace processes, peacekeeping operations , and post-conflict peacebuilding. All plenaries and working sessions will be conducted in English.

Noeleen Heyzer , Executive Director of UNIFEM will give a public lecture on the evening of November 17, and delegates to the conference who arrive early are invited to attend the lecture and reception.

Ian Bannon , Manager of the conflict Prevention and Reconstruction Unit in the World Bank and 

Peter Tsjeard Bouta, Netherlands Institute of International Relations , will speak on gender equality in post-conflict situations, following the opening on the evening of November 18.

International Alert and Women Waging Peace will launch the Toolkit on Women, Peace and Security on November 19.

The Working Conference keynote and plenary sessions speakers on Nov. 19 and 20 will include: Mobina Jaffer, Canadian Senate; Luz Mendez, National Union of Guatemalan Women (UNAMG); Ancil Adrian-Paul, International Alert; Monica McWilliams, University of Ulster, Eva Zillen, Kvina till Kvina (see schedule for full listings as experts are confirmed).

Delegates also will have an opportunity to work in small groups. They will concentrate on one of several areas that women must address at the intersection of women, violence, and conflict if we are to inform and enable movement toward peace with justice. Topical working sessions on November 19 th will be followed with regional meetings of delegates on the 20th, so they may prepare advocacy and action items for attention at regional gatherings and Beijing +10.

OBJECTIVES

• Review and assess the current status of women's participation in early warnings, peace processes, and post-conflict operations based on reports and recommendations from the October 2004 4th anniversary of Res 1325;

• Identify impediments to Res 1325's greater use based on feedback from organizations and individuals working on the  frontlines in conflict and post-conflict environments;

• Record innovative, successful interventions with particular emphasis on the greater participation of women in conflict  prevention, crisis management, and post-conflict reconstruction; and,

• Clarify next steps to move both the October UN Security Council recommendations and our recommendations forward as we prepare for Beijing Plus 10 and the 49th UN Commission on the Status of Women; and,

• Support policymakers from governments in I/NGOs and the leaders from civil society who are seeking a better understanding of gender and its relation to peace with justice in conflict-affected societies, and promoting the principles of Res 1325. 

PLENARY SESSIONS

• Gender-based Violence in Conflict:  Specific protection and justice issues for women and children with a special update on the realities of girl soldiers

• Women at the Negotiation Tables and Post Conflict Decision-Making Bodies:  Using UNSC Res 1325 and other international standards and tools calling for gender inclusion

• Women in Peace Support Operations:   Gender perspectives on peacekeeping; disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) planning; and operations; and post-conflict elections

• Moving Forward Together:  Building on Secretary General's 1325 Resolution Report, other fourth anniversary reports, and our conference outcomes to advance gender inclusive efforts for peace with justice in regional meeting and Beijing +10

WORKING GROUPS

• Early warnings and conflict prevention

• Gender issues in peace support operations and post-conflict elections

• Child combatants

• The agency of women and girls in reintegration and rehabilitation

• Protection of internally displaced and refugee women

• Post conflict elections

• Engendered transitional justice mechanisms

Questions to:
1325 Working Conference Coordinator
1325conf@sandiego.edu