Women & War Symposium
The new book, Women & War: Power and Protection in the 21st Century (USIP Press 2011), is a trans-Atlantic collaborative effort to highlight innovative approaches toward ensuring greater participation of women at the negotiating table, and the ways in which women will make a difference in the security arena over the next decade.
The U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) and the Peace Research Institute-Oslo (PRIO) hosted a book launch and international symposium on the next decade of UNSCR 1325 on May 5 and 6, 2011. The symposium further examined the issues of women and war, power and protection in the 21st century, and explored the implementation of gender-sensitive policies in defense, diplomacy, development, and the role of documentary film, media and the arts in this endeavor.
Watch Session 1: Women and War from the perspectives of the U.S. Government
- “U.N. Security Council Resolution 1325 and the U.S. National Action Plan: A Department of Defense Perspective”
Session 1, Part 1: Kathleen Hicks, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans, and Forces at the U.S. Department of Defense, keynoted “U.N. Security Council Resolution 1325 and the U.S. National Action Plan: A Department of Defense Perspective” and discussed women and war from the perspectives of the U.S. Department of Defense. Introductions were provided by Kathleen Kuehnast, Director, Gender and Peacebuilding Center, U.S. Institute of Peace; and Tara Sonenshine, Executive Vice President, U.S. Institute of Peace. - “The Vital Role of Women In Advancing Peace and Security”
Session 1, Part 2: Ambassador Melanne Verveer, Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues at the U.S. Department of State, discussed women and war from the perspectives of the U.S. government highlighting the vital role of women in advancing peace and security. Introductions were given by Tara Sonenshine, Executive Vice President, U.S. Institute of Peace. - “Women and War: An Agenda for Action”
Session 1, Part 3: Ambassador Donald Steinberg, Deputy Administrator for the U.S. Agency for International Development, discussed women and war from the perspectives of the U.S. government, exploring “Women and War: An Agenda for Action.” Introductions were provided by Tara Sonenshine, Executive Vice President, U.S. Institute of Peace; and Dr. Richard Solomon, President, U.S. Institute of Peace.
Watch Session 2: Women & War, Power and Protection in the 21st Century
Session two is a moderated panel discussion with many authors and editors of “Women & War, Power and Protection in the 21st Century” and discussants from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP). Panelists include Helga Hernes, Senior Adviser, Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO); Sanam Anderlini, Executive Director, International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN); Inger Skjelsbæk, Senior Researcher, Deputy Director, Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO); Carla Koppell, Senior Coordinator for Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment, USAID; Manal Omar, Director, Iraq and Iran Programs, USIP; Chantal de Jonge Oudraat, Director, Jennings Randolph Fellowship Program, USIP; Kathleen Kuehnast, Director, Gender and Peacebuilding Center, USIP.
Watch Session 3: Framing Women and War through Media, Film, and Music
“Framing Women and War through Media, Film, and Music” is a moderated dialogue with Patricia Mitchell, and focuses on the role of media, film, and music in depicting a myriad of roles women play in peacebuilding. Speakers include Abigail Disney, Filmmaker, Philanthropist, Producer of the film “Pray the Devil Back to Hell,” Founder of Fork Films; Agnes M. Fallah-Kamara Umunna, Journalist and Radio Producer, Executive Director and Founder of Straight from the Heart Project; Morley, Composer and Singer; Femke van Velzen, Filmmaker, Philanthropist, Producer of the film “Weapon of War,” Co-Founder of IF Productions; and Sheldon Himelfarb, Director, Center for Science, Technology, & Peacebuilding, USIP.