Global experts gather at Western Sydney University to advance the Women, Peace and Security agenda in the Indo-Pacific
As global conflict looms large on the international stage, recognising the experiences of women and girls in war and reaffirming women’s full and equal participation in conflict prevention, resolution and peace-building is more important than ever. Now a forum hosted by Western Sydney University is bringing together world-leading experts to discuss the challenges and achievements of implementing the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda in Europe and consider its expansion in the Indo-Pacific.
Held today, Monday 31 October, the event and webinar will see the Ambassadors in Australia from NATO-member countries Croatia, Canada, Estonia and Denmark come together with other dignitaries, leading academics and experts to share their knowledge and experiences, and ignite further debate.
The forum – held exactly 22 years after the UN Security Council’s landmark resolution on Women, Peace and Security in 2000 – will cover WPS policy and practice from both Australia’s and NATO’s perspectives. It will discuss consolidating and expanding the WPS agenda and supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) specifically on gender equality, reduced inequality, and peace, justice and strong institutions.
Eminent speakers include:
- Her Excellency, Irene Fellin, NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) Secretary General’s Special Representative for Women, Peace and Security, who will deliver an opening welcome via video. NATO recently adopted an action plan for the Implementation of the NATO/Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) Policy on Women, Peace and Security 2021-2025.
- Her Excellency, Betty Pavelich, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of The Republic of Croatia to Australia, New Zealand and Fiji.
- His Excellency Mark Glauser, High Commissioner of Canada to Australia.
- Her Excellency Pernille Dahler Kardel, Ambassador of Denmark.
- Her Excellency Kersti Eesmaa, Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia to Australia.
- Christine Clarke CSC, Australian Ambassador for Women and Girls, who will deliver a keynote address about the importance of WPS.
- Sally Sitou, Federal Member for Reid.
- Leanne Smith, Chief Executive, Australian Human Rights Commission, who will deliver a keynote address about expanding the WPS agenda.
- Fahima Habib, Afghan women’s rights activist, who will discuss women’s rights in Afghanistan in relation to education, work and freedom.
- Sarah Brown, Human Rights and Social Impact Services at KPMG Australia , who will discuss the role of Gender Military Advisors in upholding women’s rights in conflict zones.
- Dr Lida Ghahremanlou, Senior Design Researcher and Data Scientist, Microsoft, who will discuss technology and gender in conflict zones.
- Jenny Lee, Pacific Regional Manager, RedR Australia, who will discuss WPS in the Asia Pacific.
- Professor Karen Soldatic from the University’s School of Social Sciences and Institute for Culture and Society, who will discuss expanding the WPS agenda in relation to disability rights.
- Professor Kerry Robinson, from the University’s School of Social Sciences and Director of the Diversity and Human Rights Research Centre, who will discuss expanding the WPS agenda relation to sexual orientation and gender identity.
Western Sydney University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research, Enterprise and International, Professor Deborah Sweeney, said the University is honoured to host the forum. Professor Sweeney said as Australia and other Indo-Pacific states seek to advance the WPS agenda in our region there is much that can be learned from NATO’s experience.
“Western Sydney University is delighted to welcome these global leaders and experts from around the world to advance discussion and prompt further action around supporting women’s full and meaningful participation in peace and conflict resolution, as well as the broader issues around human rights, gendered violence and social justice,” said Professor Sweeney.
“As a leading advocate for gender equality and inclusion and a strong supporter of the WPS agenda, Western Sydney University is proud of its own, longstanding commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and embedding these in all aspects of our teaching and research and our engagement with our local and global communities. We are pleased to host this event and hope it leads to further discussion and positive outcomes.”
Western Sydney University was recently named number one in the world for its social, ecological and economic impact in the 2022 Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings. The prestigious annual rankings assess universities on their commitment to the United Nations’ SDGs, based on universities’ teaching, research, outreach and stewardship.
ENDS
31 October 2022
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