Revisiting WPS - 20 Years Later

The first annual Symposium of the RN-WPS reflected our commitment to a “Year of Learning” and engaged in a broad and future-oriented discussion of the WPS agenda. It included a discussion on the origins of the WPS agenda - and what we can learn from the early aspirations of those advocating for its creation - as well as sessions focused on identifying and elaborating current challenges to the agenda, including those arising from global and national political dynamics, as well as those emerging from past efforts at implementation. It raised thematic and policy-areas that could and should be at the forefront of the WPS agenda in future years and examine ways to advance those opportunities in research and policy work. The Symposium took place over a two-day period, with the first day focused on sessions showcasing the research of network members and panels dedicated to the three RN-WPS research themes. The second day provided opportunities for professional development (particularly for younger network members), a session devoted to discussing and planning for future activities of the RN-WPS, and engagement with specific policy agendas, including National Action Plans on WPS. The Symposium created plenty of space for networking with fellow researchers, civil society actors, and representatives from government.

Objectives

1. Facilitate dialogue and build relationships between scholars, activists and policy makers;

2. Strengthen thematic areas of research within the RN-WPS;

3. Identify and contribute ideas to reimagine the WPS Agenda and Research;

4. Foster knowledge exchanges on the academic, activist, and policy opportunities, challenges and contexts that our members are confronting;

5. Build capacity in our respective areas of work through informal exchange of experiences;

6. Support conversations between the WPS Agenda and the Youth, Peace and Security Agenda.