2002 Colloquium
Overview
Policy Day Keynote Address
Roundtable Discussions
Closing Plenary
Research Symposium
Photo Gallery

Overview
Across the globe, women continue to play a vital but often unrecognized role in preventing violent conflict, stopping war, and creating the conditions for sustainable peace in fragile regions. Since 1999, the Inclusive Security: Women Waging Peace initiative has helped bring women out of isolation and into active participation at all levels of formal and informal peace processes. The Women and Public Policy Program at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government hosted the fourth annual Inclusive Security: Women Waging Peace Colloquium November 2-8, 2002. The program provided an opportunity for women peace builders to share their successes and challenges with each other and with policymakers, journalists, and academics.

International security depends on the development of fresh, workable solutions to seemingly intractable conflicts. Participants at the Colloquium explored the current state of the security paradigm and identified avenues to enhance women's participation in peace processes. Policy statements from the UN Security Council, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Group of Eight Largest Industrialized Nations, and the European Union call for the inclusion of women in institutions and mechanisms for the prevention, management, and resolution of conflict. Notwithstanding these forward-looking statements, gaps in policy and implementation abound.

The focus of 2002 Colloquium was to promote the inclusion of women in official and unofficial peace processes. Women selected to attend have been involved in a formal peace process or would be excellent candidates to take part in formal peace processes in the near future. Experts from a variety of institutions, including Harvard University and the United States Institute of Peace, engaged the participants in intensive discussions, training sessions, and simulated negotiations. They brought a wealth of expertise in civil society, academic research, local community organizing, and government.

A vital aspect of every colloquium is facilitating relationships between members of the Waging network and policy shapers. In panel discussions and public forums, the women interacted with high-level officials in the policy arena. The culmination of the Colloquium was an all-day policy meeting on November 8 that brought an estimated 100 policy shapers and decision makers to the Kennedy School to join the women peace builders in roundtable discussions. This collaboration gave women activists direct access to policymakers and provided fresh perspectives on the enormous potential that women offer as agents of change in the area of international security.

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Roundtable Discussions

Civil Society and Government Partnership
The Policy Day roundtable discussion on civil society and government partnership was characterized by concrete exchanges of information, as well as broad theorizing about the ways civil society must hold governments accountable. Mark Blackden, regional gender coordinator of the Africa Region of the World Bank, and Tony Ghorayeb, head of the Lavant Diaspora at the HSBC Investment Bank in London, provided insightful direction to the conversation. Mr. Blackden stated that ministers of finance must realize and understand that "gender equality equals growth."

Martha Segura, executive director of the Colombian Confederation of Non-Governmental Organizations, and Amina Rasul-Bernardo, a former member of the Philippine Cabinet, voiced concerns about unequal economic development for men and women. Ms. Rasul-Bernardo advised the group that although education and training is important for women, they also need a source of livelihood and skills sets to manage their own finances. Martha Segura reminded participants that more partnerships and coalitions must be developed with the government, religious organizations, and civil society.

Facilitator Jane Mansbridge, faculty chair of the Women and Public Policy Program at Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government, encouraged the discussants to come up with practical suggestions. Both Mark Blackden and Tony Ghorayeb agreed that training women in economic literacy is extremely important in today's world. Participants brainstormed a number of methods for implementing this idea, including the Internet, training for women by private banks, and the radio. The radio was the most popular for three reasons: 1) listening does not require literacy, 2) radio is relatively inexpensive, and 3) stations can be community owned and operated, rather than being directed from another country.

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Post-Conflict Political Participation
What opportunities and challenges do women face in post-conflict political participation? Vjosa Dobruna, one of three women appointed to the United Nations Joint Interim Administrative Structure of Kosovo, and Nanda Pok, executive director of Cambodia's Women for Prosperity, sat face-to-face with policymakers to tackle this very question.

After exchanging comments about political histories and recent triumphs, the women agreed that there are concrete opportunities to develop in post-conflict situations. A crisis is a turning point. War disrupts the status quo, weakens established institutions, and creates a sense of chaos; war-torn countries have few options but to rebuild from scratch. Women must seize these moments to incorporate new ideas into the political arena and to push for new principles, new standards, and, of course, their own inclusion.

Most roundtable discussants agreed it is easier to get women on the ballot and into political office in a proportional party system. When trustworthy institutions select women candidates, the public views these women as legitimate. Still, getting them into office is just the first step--keeping them there is more difficult. As both Ms. Pok and Ms. Dobruna testified, ongoing training is key to retaining women in political positions and encouraging others to follow their lead.

Other challenges faced by women include incorporating younger generations in the rebuilding of their countries and convincing policy shapers that women's issues are everyone's issues. The policymakers at the table agreed that there is more work to be done. They also realized that after the success of Policy Day, they have more support and direction to carry out this work.

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Policy Day Closing Plenary

Swanee Hunt, the founder and chair of Inclusive Security: Women Waging Peace, concluded this year's Policy Day by inviting participants to comment on their impressions of the day. Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela, a former member of South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission, commented that the day had been filled with stimulating discussion. The hope is "to continue having these discussions after today."

Jendayi Frazer, special assistant to President George W. Bush and senior director for African Affairs to the National Security Council, remarked on the depth of experiences and expertise in the room, and how touched and inspired she was to incorporate what was happening on the ground with policymaking at the top. "This is important when we, in Washington, are deciding on our policies and on what will make a difference on the ground. A United Nations mandate on the Democratic Republic of the Congo is pending with decisions on increasing funding. They want to ensure that the money is not wasted," she told the audience. "Now I have a better understanding of what needs to be done."

Turning to the role of international assistance, Krishna Kumar, senior social scientist in the Bureau of Policy Program Coordination at the US Agency for International Development, traced the importance of incorporating women in rebuilding war-torn societies. Outlining the ways women are survivors, active peacemakers, and society builders, he argued that unprecedented opportunities exist for women's groups to participate in post-conflict elections, civil society, and real humanitarian empowerment. "I came hear to listen, learn, and reflect…I have heard very powerful voices and I am going back inspired," he said.

Monica McWilliams, a founding member and representative of the Northern Ireland Women's Coalition, closed the event by reminding all the participants "when sleeping women awake, mountains will move…We have everything we need to make change."

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