Participation

The side-event takes place in the context of global consultations, within and outside the United Nations system, on what comes after the Millennium Development Goals expire in 2015. A major question relates to the specific place of conflict, violence and disaster in the new agenda. A key emerging message is that insecurity, injustice and violence disrupts development progress and destroys people's lives in all societies.

Friday's event on women's participation in peacebuilding – from 1pm – 2:45. The event will also launch “Women Building Peace”, an Accord Insight publication on contemporary experiences, challenges and innovations in women's peacebuilding practice. Please note that RSVP essential.

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

The Permanent Mission of Ireland invites you to a High Level Panel discussion on Women and Peacebuilding in the Great Lakes region, with the participation of Special Envoy Mary Robinson, Special Representative Zainab Bangura, women's civil society leader and Ugandan lawyer and peacebuilder Lina Zedriga and Ireland's Development Minister Joe Costello.

What are the major gendered consequences of the civil war, and what are the immediate priorities of women inside Syria
and in refugee settings that will prevent further gendered violence?

How can women's political participation be strengthened inside Syria and in the refugee settings in the neighbouring countries of Lebanon and Jordan?

The Participation Pillar of the Women, Peace and Security agenda focuses on women's representation and participation in peace processes, electoral processes (as both candidates and voters) and UN decision-making positions. However progress has been slow and challenging. Ms.

Comprised of 350 delegates from around the world – female and male leaders in their fields – the conference will offer a provocative mix of keynote speeches, multimedia, plenary discussions, debates, break-out “action groups” and opportunities to engage online.

The uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region came with a promise of equality and freedom. That did not happen. Today, the women in the region find themselves even more excluded from the formal decision-making in a region with an increase of militarism, arms flow and gender related violence.

What kind of leadership is most effective in societies undergoing upheaval and/or transition? To address this pivotal question, women leaders from Liberia, Pakistan, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Samoa and Mexico will offer compelling accounts of their innovative leadership approaches in a two-part panel event.

Every year since 2002, we have gathered at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to recognize women who are social entrepreneurs, political representatives, businesswomen, human rights defenders and civil society advocates.

This year we are pleased to honor:

Human Rights Award

Rosana Shaack: Liberian Activist rehabilitating girl soldiers.