The Asia-Pacific Mediation Forum (APMF) is a not-for-profit regional association of individuals, organisations and institutions interested in promoting peace through mediation and other conflict transformation processes wherever conflicts threaten the well-being of individuals, organisations, communities and local, state or national governments in the region.

The implementation of the UN's Women, Peace and Security agenda on the ground is in many respects lagging far behind its ambitious conceptual framework. Case in point is the situation of women in Afghanistan which remains highly insecure, and many fear, will only become more difficult with the coming international military drawdown in 2014.

Because Our Cause is Just is an eye-opening documentary about the struggle of women in countries experiencing the so-called “Arab Spring.” Begun as a civil movement of women and men seeking human rights and justice after decades of dictatorship, the revolutionary wave has not yielded justice for all.

A University of Queensland researcher has warned that refugee women and children face increased risks under the Federal Government's policy of sending asylum seekers to Nauru and Papua New Guinea.

Researcher Dr Nicole George is one of the organisers of a free seminar in Brisbane tomorrow focusing on Australia's role in upholding the security of women and children from the Asia-Pacific region.

The event will feature a presentation on GNWP's Kinshasa Call to Action and the handing over of Amnesty International's DRC postcard petition to the Security Council. It will be complemented by an interactive panel discussion featuring UN representatives, Member States and civil society.

PROGRAM

Welcome and Introductory remarks – Mr. Martin Vidal, Uruguay DPR

Sexual violence in conflict disproportionately affects women and girls, and it has long been called history's oldest and least condemned crime. Rape as a weapon of war has been used in dozens of conflicts in the last century, and unfortunately this offence knows no geographic or gender boundaries.

The United Nations (UN) uses private military and security companies (PMSCs) extensively in a variety of activities and locations around the world. In light of concerns with respect to the outsourcing of security functions by the UN to private companies, the UN has recently adopted several policies on this matter.

In advance of the Human Rights Council elections set for November 2013, Amnesty International and the International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) are pleased to invite you to a presentation of the pledges and commitments made by candidates running for the term starting in 2014.

This panel discussion will present and analyze the various lessons learned and challenges in NAP development and implementation including but not limited to financing implementation, coordination of roles and responsibilities among various actors involved in implementation, involvement of civil society, monitoring and evaluation.

Office of the Commissioner for Children and Young People Perth, WA

Join the Perth YUNWA for their Women, Peace and Security Workshop