WOMEN’S VOICE IN CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND PEACE-BUILDING
November 2 to 7, 2003
THE GOLDA MEIR MOUNT CARMEL
INTERNATIONAL TRAINING CENTER, Haifa
In cooperation with
SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL OF ISRAEL
Introduction
to the program
The low status in society of women in
many developing countries continues to give a sense of urgency for changing
prevailing social attitudes and empowering them to claim their right and just
role in development, peace-building and their nations’ progress. Despite the devastating effect on women
of conflicts in many regions of the world, women demonstrate leadership in
mobilizing support networks for peace, mediation and reconciliation. In this
light, it is proposed that the November 2003 Symposium focus on the UN
resolution to highlight “the importance of bringing
gender perspectives to the center of all
UN conflict prevention and resolution, peace-building, peace-keeping,
rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts. “(Women, Peace and Security, United
Nations, 2002/ Resolution 1325 (2000)-UN Security Council)
Objectives
The participants will review
gender issues related to the interaction between
conflict and development, remold concepts of women’s rights and recommend strategies and options for
involving more women in the shaping the future of their societies.
Program
Keynote Address: Dr. Elisabeth Rehn, Former Minister of
Defense of Finland and
UNIFEM independent expert on Women’s Role in Peace-building
Plenary Session I: Women in Conflict
Areas in the World Today
·
Gender perspectives of ethnic, racial,
religious and national strife
Plenary Session II: Media and World
Conflicts
·
Reporting on global themes affecting
women and children – trafficking, child labor, HIV, refugees
·
Media as a determining factor in setting
the agenda
Plenary Session III: No Peace No
Development
- Empowering
women and affirmative action for ensuring
women’s interests at all levels of decision-making,
especially with regard to conflict prevention and resolution
Plenary Session IV: Education for a
clearer voice and message of peace
Plenary Session V:
Support structures –Partnerships between governments,
INGO’s and NGO’s
Two days will be devoted to professional visits, official
meetings and sightseeing in the Galilee and Jerusalem