Includes the Launch of Inclusive Security, Sustainable Peace: A Toolkit for Advocacy and Action, created by International Alert and Women Waging Peace

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

Download the full 100-page report of the conference

1325 Conference Group Photo
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Promoting Women's Equal Participation in Peace & Security Processes: Operationalizing UN Security Council Resolution 1325, was held 18-20 November, 2004 at the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice (IPJ). Conference co-conveners included the UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM); the Canadian Committee on Women, Peace and Security; and the Boston Consortium on Gender, Security and Human Rights. 

This conference intentionally brought together scholars, practitioners, political-influentials, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and grassroots leaders working with the UN, national governments and international humanitarian agencies. Delegates representing 32 countries demonstrated personal or organizational experience and research, and a commitment to return home to continue to contribute to a collective effort to engage women in peace processes throughout the world.

Facilitators, conveners, presenters, and rapporteurs met with Noeleen Heyzer, Executive Director and District Secretary of UNIFEM, to establish a framework for the discussions to be held throughout the duration of the conference. Carol Cohn, director of the Boston Consortium on Gender, Security and Human Rights facilitated sessions for presenters and working group facilitators. Notetakers met with Joyce Neu, Executive Director of the IPJ, to review their roles and the documentation procedures for the conference.

The conference offered an opportunity for a lively exchange of information through a variety of plenary sessions, a series of on-going working sessions and evening panel presentations from internationally recognized experts.

The first series of working sessions included:

• Early Warnings/Conflict Prevention; Gender Issues in Peace Support Operations (PSO)
• Child Soldiers
• Reconciliation, Reintegration and Rehabilitation
• Protection of IDPs and Refugees, Including Widows
• Post-Conflict Elections
• Engendered Transitional Justice Mechanisms

Additional sessions for the second day were shaped by the delegate's requests. These working sessions covered:

• Creating a Rapid Response Unit
• Developing National and Regional Strategies for Implementation of 1325
• Strategies for Addressing the Gap Between the "End" of Disarmament and Demobilization and the Beginning of Reconstruction
• Continuation of Gender Issues in PSO: How to Insure that PSOs Work Closely with Women and Women's Organizations from the Conflict Area
• Bringing Women into Peace Negotiations and Linking Formal and Informal Peace Processes
• Using Media as an Agent for Change/Media Advocacy

The forthcoming report will provide rapporteurs' plenary reports, overviews of evening panels, and summaries of information from the working sessions. It is our hope that this report may advance the efforts of women and men working together for peace with justice.

Support for the conference was provided by the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice, the Fred J. Hansen Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the Angelica Foundation, Reebok Human Rights Award, Sun and Moon Vision Productions, United Nations Association San Diego - Women's Equity Council, Voices of Women, Women in International Security, Women Waging Peace, Nona Cannon, Heinrich Boell Foundation, and William and Christina Stockton.