The ICAN Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Forum is a signature event, gathering WASL members together with international actors and policymakers to assess rising threats to peace and security, strategize for collection action, engage in peer-to-peer learning and exchange, and deepen solidarity and mutual support.
The forum includes strategic discussions, sessions for peer-to-peer learning and exchange, and opportunities for reflection, care, and joy. It provides space to highlight the impact of women-led peace and security work, as well as the investments needed to sustain it.
“Our annual meeting at the ICAN forum is important to renew our energy and affirm our link to our large family. It also affirms our solidarity. It helps us get acquainted with the experiences of our exceptional sisters in peacebuilding.”
– Maysoon Ahmed Ismael, Director, Odessa Organization for Women Development, Iraq
ICAN’s 10th Forum:
Peacebuilding in a Time of Pessimism
June 2024 – Tirana, Albania
At a time when militarization is growing unchecked and increasingly normalized as the only approach to security, the ICAN Forum brings an alternative perspective into the global discourse from those who do not have the privilege of pessimism. ICAN’s 10th Forum will be hosted by the Women’s Center for Development and Culture Albania (WCDCA), bringing together women peacebuilders from over 40 countries in the Women’s Alliance for Security Leadership (WASL) in Tirana, Albania from June 2-5, 2024.
Supporters of the 10th ICAN Women, Peace, and Security Forum include the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad), UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Rockefeller Brothers Fund (RBF), and the United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF).
ICAN’s 9th Annual Forum: Reclaiming Power, Restoring Peace
In May 2022, ICAN hosted its 9th Women, Peace, and Security Forum in partnership with Addu Women’s Association (AWA) Maldives.
“The annual gathering is essential for strategic reflection, compassion, solidarity and inspirational innovation.”
Rajaa Altalli, Co-Founder and Co-Director, Centre for Civil Society and Democracy (CCSD), Syria, WASL Member
ICAN Forum 2022 Interview Series
Ep 1 #ICANForum22 Interview Series: Mahbouba Seraj with Sanam Naraghi Anderlini and Malalai Habibi
Ep 2 #ICANForum22 Interview Series: Hassina Neekzad with Malalai Habibi
Ep 3 #ICANForum22 Interview Series: Bushra Hyder Qadeem with Rosalie Fransen
Ep 4 #ICANForum22 Interview Series: Rudina Çollaku with Melinda Holmes
Ep 5 #ICANForum22 Interview Series: Muna Luqman with Sanam Naraghi Anderlini
Ep 6 #ICANForum22 Interview Series: Clotilda Andiensa with France Bognon
Ep 7 #ICANForum22 Interview Series: Enass Muzamel with Helena Gronberg
Ep 8 #ICANForum22 Interview Series: Halima Mohamed with France Bognon
Ep 9 #ICANForum22 Interview Series: Shahrazad Magrabi with Helena Gronberg and Rosalie Fransen
ICAN’s Past WPS Forums
Building Movements, Promoting Plurality
“It’s a healing therapy for me after all the trauma and stress I go through as I struggle to build peace in my community…I get to meet sisters from around the world and draw more inspiration, energize, and re-strategize. I always leave the forum ready to work even more.”
– Clotilda Andiensa Waah, Founder and CEO, Centre for Advocacy in Gender Equality and Action for Development (CAGEAD), Cameroon