Because We Must

In the lead-up to the 25th anniversary of the landmark United Nations Security Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), the third annual Symposium of the RN-WPS – held at the University of Ottawa from February 8-10 - centered on the theme “Because We Must”. Rebecca Tiessen, Director of the Gender, Peace and Security Collaboratory, University of Ottawa was the host and co-organizer.

Building from the lessons of the first Symposium, the “Year of Learning,” and the vision of the second Symposium, “Reimagining Women, Peace and Security”, this year focused on “Taking Action to Address Gender Equality, Peace and Security”. Participants engaged in two days of rich dialogue and knowledge sharing that celebrated the progress that has been made on the WPS agenda and explored what actions are needed to protect and expand on these achievements. The sessions highlighted Canada’s domestic priorities relating to the WPS agenda, emerging areas of research, voices of rights defenders, strategies for allyship in advancing WPS, and perspectives from the next generation. The event brought together a community of researchers, civil society actors, and representatives from government to exchange ideas and challenge one another. Overall, there were over 50 participants from across Canada, as well as representation from the Office of the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict.

Objectives

1. Facilitate knowledge sharing and the co-creation of important resources from knowledge-holders from diverse backgrounds;

2. Take stock of ongoing challenges, lessons learned, and innovative programming that will increase marginalized groups’ meaningful participation in peacebuilding, peace negotiations and post-conflict reconstruction;

3. Provide space to deepen relationships and connections;

4. Integrate interactions with the local organisations who are promoting the WPS agenda