G8 Involvement

In December 1999, the foreign ministers of the G8 met in a special session in Berlin to discuss the prevention of armed conflict. In their concluding statement, the foreign ministers agreed to "make conflict prevention a priority on our political agenda for the years to come . . ." In addition, they stated that "long term, concrete, and sustainable strategies of prevention" are needed and noted that the "causes of armed conflict are multiple and complex. Its prevention requires an integrated comprehensive approach encompassing political, security, economic, financial, environmental, social and development policies . . ."

Developing and implementing new strategies for conflict prevention, such as those promulgated by Inclusive Security: Women Waging Peace, was identified as a topic for the G8 Summit to address in Japan in July 2000.

After numerous consultations with the White House and the US Department of State, as well as formal meetings with a variety of governmental officials representing G8 countries, the leadership of Inclusive Security: Women Waging Peace crafted a supplemental paper entitled "Women and Conflict Prevention" to be reviewed by the G8 countries. It called for a wide range of women's involvement, including gender training for peace-keeping forces, women as part of civilian police forces and as special representatives of the UN Secretary General in conflict areas, as well as the inclusion of local women in peace negotiations. Waging was instrumental in the inclusion of the aforementioned G8 language in the joint communiqu�s of various key figures involved in the Summit.

During the G8 Summit held in Italy in July 2001, the G8 Foreign Ministers announced a new initiative focusing on the vital contribution of women in peace building. Recognizing that "the international community has failed to ensure women's full and equal participation in conflict prevention, peace operations and post-conflict peace building," the G8 Foreign Ministers issued a supplementary paper outlining the "positive contributions women can make to prevent conflict and consolidate peace."

return to top