ICAN co-hosts high-level dialogue on inclusion and gender sensitivity in peace making

On February 2, 2018, together with the Missions of Japan and Canada to the United Nations, and in collaboration with the UNDP and UN Women, ICAN organized an event showcasing our Better Peace Initiative (BPI) and launching the latest animation in the BPI series, Gendered Devolution: Why it matters, how to do it. The lunch discussion entitled, The Better Peace Initiative: Innovative Tools and Practical Framework on the ‘How to’ of Gender Inclusive Mediation gathered a group of Member States, UN, and civil society representatives. The dialogue focused on experiences and actions that various stakeholders can take to move from intention to implementation of inclusive and holistic peacemaking, and how ICAN’s innovative tools can be of use. The question of whether inclusive peace agreements are more likely to be implemented was also discussed. The event was an opportunity for ICAN to share its plans to develop tailored seminars and capacity building for the evolving regional women’s mediation networks and advisors, and share themes to be tackled in upcoming animations.

Ambassador Koro BesshoAmbassador Koro Bessho, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations welcomed participants and opened the meeting.

Ambassador Michael Grant, Deputy Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations took the floor to discuss some of theactions that Canada is taking to move from intention to implementation of inclusive and holistic peacemaking. As an example, Ambassador Grant shared that the Canadian mission to the UN is developing a gender compact. This compact will identify specific commitments to mainstream gender into the working methods of the mission in view of ensuring that gender is consistently reflected in policies and practice. It will involve five main lines of effort: staffing and representation, management, policy, communications, and accountability. Canada will work with other UN missions and the Group of Friends of WPS to disseminate best practices and encourage similar initiatives.

Verlaine-Diane Soobroydoo, Policy Adviser on Women, Peace and Security at the Permanent Observer Mission of the African Unionshared the work of the African Union, specifically the FemWise-Africa (Network of African Women in Conflict Prevention and Mediation) and the African Women Leaders Network, launched in 2017. FemWise addresses the issue of ensuring that women from all sectors, parties and civil society organizations are fully trained and represented at the mediation table, in conflict resolution and peacebuilding. The African Women Leaders Network developed together with the UN is used as a “pipeline to identify women leaders on the ground, from communities, from government, and across political parties.” In terms of support moving forward, Ms. Soobroydoo highlighted three key points: partnerships, trainings, and the need for political will and leadership. Friends Groups, such as the Group of Friends of African Women Leaders Network to be launched by Germany and Ghana in early March is key to garner such will.

The Permanent Representative of Trinidad and Tobago, Ambassador Pennelope Beckles stressed economic empowerment, training and leadership as key for realizing inclusion. Ms. Jessica Cupellini, from the Permanent Mission of Italy suggested organizing joint trainings for the various Women Mediators Network in order to avoid duplicating efforts. Ms. Naraghi Anderlini responded by sharing ICAN’s plans to develop – with the support of the Canadian government –  a comprehensive training program that will pull together the range of tools and themes that ICAN is producing. The training will explain the various issues and provide guidance on the skills and expertise needed to engage as a gender advisor, mediator or envoy, and ultimately prepare a cadre of well qualified women and men who fully understand the issues and the tools.