USA: Inclusive Security Resolves to Act

Date: 
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Source: 
Sacramento Bee
PeaceWomen Consolidated Themes: 
General Women, Peace and Security

Ambassador Swanee Hunt, chair of The Institute for Inclusive Security, announced the Institute's Commitment to Action in support of women, peace, and security at the 2012 Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Annual Meeting.

'Resolution to Act' bridges the gap between the rhetoric of "national action plans" and the difference they make on the ground. Inclusive Security created this initiative in collaboration with the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, UN Women, Cordaid, the US Department of State, the Government of Finland, UNDP, Georgetown's Initiative for Women, Peace, and Security, and Club de Madrid.

In 2011, the Obama Administration released the first-ever US National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who's made women's leadership in this field a cornerstone of her tenure, described it as a "roadmap for accelerating and institutionalizing efforts across the United States Government to advance women's participation in making and keeping peace."

Today, 37 countries have issued similar roadmaps. Yet, not enough plans are making a meaningful difference in people's lives or significantly improving global security. Resolution to Act will help countries deliver meaningful results by:

  • deploying members of a pool of experts who will work with government officials, legislators, and civil society leaders – advising them on strategic planning, constitution crafting, adding women to negotiating teams, and more.

  • empowering watchdog groups with innovative tools that will enhance their ability to engage their governments and hold leaders accountable; and

  • assessing the impact of national initiatives to bring women into critical decision-making involving war and peace.

"When it comes to the value of women's strong participation in securing lasting, just peace, there's no longer a debate," explained Ambassador Hunt. "Instead, there's a need for meaningful action. We and our partners are providing the framework, the structure, for that action. By working upstream – advising governments on how to bring more women into every part of preventing and stopping conflict – Resolution to Act will prevent more destruction and trauma and create a stable culture for economic development."