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WIIS February Newsletter

Events

“Deploying Feminism: The Role of Gender in NATO Military Operations”

A Book Discussion with Author Dr. Stéfanie von Hlatky

Join WIIS on February 29, 2024, at 11:00 AM (EST), for an in-person discussion with Dr. Stéfanie von Hlatky (Canada Research Chair on Gender, Security, and the Armed Forces, Professor of Political Studies, and Associate Dean of Research in the Faculty of Arts and Science, Queen’s University) and Inga Samoškaitė (Assistant Director, Transatlantic Security Initiative and Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security at the Atlantic Council) on Dr. von Hlatky’s recent book, Deploying Feminism: The Role of Gender in NATO Military Operations. In Deploying Feminism, Dr. von Hlatky tells the story of how the military has been delegated authority to advance gender equality as part of its activities and has embedded these ideas in the planning and execution of its missions.

This event will be held in person at 1250 Connecticut Ave, NW, Suite 1C, Washington, DC 20036. Due to space limitations, registration is required.

WIIS Members are eligible for a 30% discount on “Deploying Feminism: The Role of Gender in NATO Military Operations.” To access your discount, visit our members-only discounts and offers page. Not a member? Join here.

WIIS Germany attends the Munich Security Conference

On February 17, 2024, WIIS Germany held a women’s breakfast as an official side event of the Munich Security Conference. They welcomed Hillary Clinton (Former US Secretary of State) who emphasized Germany’s commitment to Ukraine.

Pop Culture, Terror Warfare & Sexual Violence: The Case of Sierra Leone

On February 6, 2024, WIIS hosted a virtual discussion with Dr. Marc Sommers (Independent Consultant and Senior Advisor to the US Government and international organizations, including the United Nations) on his latest book, We the Young Fighters: Pop Culture, Terror, and War in Sierra Leone. Ariela Blätter (President and CEO, WIIS) gave opening remarks. A panel discussion followed with Dr. Dara Kay Cohen (Professor of Public Policy, the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University) and Ali Bitenga Alexandre (Researcher, Panzi Foundation, Democratic Republic of Congo). The discussion was moderated by Dr. Chantal de Jonge Oudraat (Member, WIIS Board of Directors and Global Fellow, Wilson Center).

WIIS Members are eligible for a 30% discount on “We the Young Fighters: Pop Culture, Terror, and War in Sierra Leone.” To access your discount, visit our members-only discounts and offers page. Not a member? Join here.

CISSM Kelleher Forum | State-building in the Shadows of Counterterrorism: The (Il)Logic of Precarious Sovereignty

Join the Center for International and Security Studies at the University of Maryland (CISSM) on March 7, 2024, at 12:00 PM (EST) for the annual Kelleher Forum. Each year, during Women's History Month, CISSM hosts a special Forum dedicated to honoring CISSM's founder and WIIS' founding president, Dr. Catherine M. Kelleher, for her contributions to the field of international security policy. This year, they will be joined by Dr. Dipali Mukhopadhyay (Associate Professor, School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University and Senior Expert on Afghanistan, US Institute of Peace). 

WIIS Poland’s Young Female Leaders in Security 2023-2024 Mentoring Program Officially Opens

On January 11, 2024, Professor Katarzyna Pisarska (Chair of the Warsaw Security Forum) inaugurated the second edition of the WIIS Poland Young Female Leaders in Security mentoring program. Over the next ten months, fifteen exceptional female participants will benefit from tailored mentoring, training sessions, and study visits, culminating in participation in the 2024 Warsaw Security Forum.

WIIS Italy Meets with Ambassador Jack Markell (U.S. Ambassador to Italy and San Marino) at a Gathering for Women in Leadership

WIIS Poland at “The Role of Secret Services in Modern Poland”

On January 26, 2024, the Faculty of Political Science and International Studies at the University of Warsaw hosted a debate of the Department of Internal Security on the role of special services in modern Poland. The discussion was attended by Gen. Krzysztof Bondaryk (Head of the Internal Security Agency 2008-2013), Col. Grzegorz Małecki (Head of the Internal Security Agency 2015-2016), Dr. Zbigniew Siemiątkowski (Head of the Internal Security Agency 2002-2004; UW), Prof. Andrzej Zybertowicz (Advisor to the President of the Republic of Poland) and Dr. Arkadiusz Nyzio (UJ). The main topics of the debate focused on the priorities for the Polish intelligence and counterintelligence services for 2024.  The debate was moderated by Aleksandra Gasztold (President, WIIS Poland).

WIIS Italy Co-Hosts “Engaging the Global South: The Role of Women in Addressing Key Challenges”

On February 14, 2024, WIIS Italy and Aspen Italia, with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, organized an event as part of the “Women in Foreign Policy and Diplomacy” project, which, in conjunction with the Italian G7 Presidency, aims at promoting gender policies to address global challenges such as conflicts, climate change and food insecurity. Maria Tripodi (Italian Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation) provided opening remarks for this event.

WIIS Poland Partners with the International Visegrad Fund for “Connecting networks of women in foreign, European, and security policy across the V4 states''

The project addresses the gender gap in foreign, European, and security policy participation in the V4 countries. The initiative plans networking events and conferences for women leaders in these fields with the goal of empowering women through connections, knowledge sharing, and awareness and aims to create a more inclusive environment, fostering equal representation in policy discussions.

Publications

WISCOMP (WIIS India) Releases Two Publications

Women Building Peace: From the Local to the International

Compiled by Seema Kakran (Deputy Director, WISCOMP)

This report documents the proceedings of the EU-India Dialogue ‘Women Building Peace’ on how women build peace from the local to the international levels. Experiences and case studies from conflicts including Rwanda to Sri Lanka were used to identify the challenges and possibilities of women’s peacebuilding. The speakers included diplomats, civil society actors, media persons, and academics, looked at how women build peace through a multi-dimensional lens.

Resilient Solidarities: Feminist Experiences on Trust and Community Building

Published in WISCOMP's South Asian Journal of Peacebuilding- Peace Prints

Crafting approaches that enhance social justice, gender equity, and sustainable peace, the latest edition of 'Resilient Solidarities: Feminist Experiences on Trust-and Community-Building’ addresses the global and local challenges presented by the COVID-19 Pandemic. It highlights the resilience of women's collectives and the diverse methodologies they employ to build hope and overcome vulnerabilities.

WIIS Italy Releases its 2023 Annual Report

Announcements

WISCOMP Celebrates 25th Year Anniversary

In July 2024, WISCOMP (WIIS India) will celebrate 25 years of action and commitment towards nurturing constituencies of peace and promoting cultures of pluralism and coexistence in South Asia. Originally established as an initiative of the Foundation for Universal Responsibility of His Holiness The Dalai Lama, for the past two decades WISCOMP has grown into an integral agency of support and promotion of women’s leadership.

Dr. Karin Warner, President of WIIS University of Pittsburgh, Named to the American Academy of Nursing's Global Nursing and Health Expert Panel

Opportunities

Data Analytics for Policy Professionals: Bridging Data Science with International Affairs and Public Policy

Data Analytics for Policy Professionals (DAPP) is an executive education program, offered by the Elliott School of International Affairs, that aims to bridge the gap between data science and traditional analysis in international affairs and public policy.

WIIS Members are eligible for a 10% discount on this course. To access your discount, visit our members-only discounts and offers page. Not a member? Join here.

NATO Launches Challenge for Girls and Women in Science

NATO launched a global challenge for women and girls in STEM. The WGS24 scheme, launched in anticipation of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, can interest students and early career professionals. Participants must submit a short research proposal addressing one of NATO's Science and Technology (S&T) priorities, guided by the following question: What research idea would you like to see NATO realize over the next five years? The call for proposals will close on April 21, 2024.

The Catherine M. Kelleher Fellowship for International Security Studies

The Catherine M. Kelleher Fellowship for International Security Studies supports an exceptional graduate student pursuing their master’s or doctoral degree at the University of Maryland School of Public Policy. Professor Kelleher founded WIIS in 1987 and is also a founding faculty member of the University of Maryland School of Public Policy, where she also founded the Center for International and Security Studies at Maryland (CISSM). Throughout her policy and academic careers, Professor Kelleher was a champion for women in the field of international security policy. This fellowship is intended to ensure that future generations benefit from the kind of support that she gave to countless people in the field today. Catherine M. Kelleher passed away on February 15, 2023.