Updates & Opportunities

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November 2024 Newsletter

Dear WIIS Members and Supporters,

Just a few days ago, we commemorated the 24th Anniversary of the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda. There was much to be proud of but even more to improve upon. As we approach the 25th Anniversary of UNSCR 1325 next year, WIIS Global is dedicated to collaborating with you to create programming that examines the successes and failures of the WPS Agenda and explores how to revitalize it for today's security challenges.

In October, we traveled to Rīga, Latvia, for the Rīga Security Conference and to New York City for WPS Week. It was wonderful to meet some of you and engage in crucial conversations about the future of the WPS Agenda and women’s leadership in international affairs.

Thank you for your continued dedication to WIIS.

Warm regards,

Ariela Blätter | President & CEO, Women In International Security (WIIS)

Upcoming Events & Opportunities

Event Page [[link removed]]

MEMBERS-ONLY EVENT:

Revamp Your Resume | WIIS Global

Date: November 19, 12:15 PM ESTSummary: Ready to take your career to the next level? Join us and learn how to Revamp Your Resume! This event will explore tips specific for those in the international security space on crafting the perfect resume that stands out to employers. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to elevate your job search. Visit our member events page to pre-register or learn more through the public announcement. Event Page [[link removed]]

MEMBERS-ONLY EVENT:

WIISUp Wednesday | WIIS Global

Date: November 27, 12:00 - 1:00 PM ESTSummary: Join WIIS Global for a virtual networking hour where the WIIS Global team will lead a discussion, and participants will be able to interact with each other and meet fellow members.Visit our member events page to pre-register or learn more through the public announcement. Register to Attend [[link removed]]

EVENT: "Woven Identities: The Women behind the Mola" | GWU Event moderated by WIIS Global Fellow, Dr. Tahina Montoya

Date: November 18, 5:30-7:00 PM ESTSummary: Join this GWU event celebrating Indigenous People’s Month, centered around WIIS Global Fellow Tahina Montoya’s dissertation, “Woven Identities: The Women behind the Mola.” Dr. Montoya will moderate this event.

EVENT: Jornada "Desafíos de la Agenda Mujeres, Paz y Seguridad" | SWISS (WIIS Spain)

Date: November 18, 7:00 PM CETSummary: SWISS is co-hosting an event on the "Challenges of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda,” which will take place on November 18 at the Ateneo de Madrid (C/del Prado 21).Register to Attend: If you are interested in attending, you can send an email to [[email protected]]. Learn More [[link removed]]

EVENT: WIIS Germany at the Berlin Security Conference (BSC) | WIIS Germany

Date: November 19 Summary: This year's Berlin Security Conference (BSC) will take place on November 19-20. It is titled "NATO, EU and their Allies: Deterring Threats to Freedom and Democracy." WIIS Germany is an official cooperation partner this year and will be represented at the conference with a panel and a stand.

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Unlock a world of opportunities with WIIS membership, from connecting with a global network of 15,000 members to advancing your career through exclusive job boards, events, and mentorship opportunities. Gain access to specialized resources, expert speakers, and a supportive community dedicated to enhancing the role of women in international security.

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Recent Events

Event Recording [[link removed]]

Shaping the Future of the WPS Agenda | WIIS Global

Date: October 9, 2024Summary: Last month, WIIS Global hosted an in-person event in Washington, D.C., in collaboration with the Embassy of the Principality of Liechtenstein. This event featured esteemed speakers, including H.E. Ambassador Georg Sparber and U.S. Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Bonnie Jenkins. Panelists Dr. Carolyn Washington, Dr. Shirley Graham, and Dr. Marisa Ensor engaged in a vital discussion on the future challenges and opportunities surrounding the WPS Agenda, which will celebrate its 25th anniversary in October 2025. This gathering marks the beginning of a series of events dedicated to exploring this critical topic.

The Rīga Conference | WIIS Global

Date: October 17-19, 2024Summary: Ariela Blätter, President and CEO of WIIS Global, participated as a panelist at the Rīga Conference in Latvia this October, where she discussed the WPS Agenda. During the conference, she had the honor of meeting H.E. Baiba Braže, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia, as well as Siemtje Möller, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Defence. Ariela also enjoyed engaging with members of the newly established Women for Security (WIIS Latvia) and connecting with Silvia Petig, Chairwoman of WIIS Germany. Event Recording [[link removed]] Purchase the Book [[link removed]]

Book Talk: Governing the Feminist Peace | WIIS Global

Date: October 28, 2024Summary: WIIS Global hosted a book talk with co-author Paul Kirby to discuss his and Laura Shepherd’s new book, Governing the Feminist Peace, The Vitality and Failure of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda. Dr. Kirby delved into the implementation, challenges, and ongoing debates of the WPS Agenda during this talk. The event is part of WIIS’ WPS 25th anniversary series of events and discussions about the future challenges and opportunities of the WPS agenda.

Young Female Leaders in Security Mentoring Program | WIIS Poland

Date: October 1, 2024Summary: During the 11th Warsaw Security Forum, WIIS Poland, together with Casimir Pulaski Foundation and Northrop Grumman, celebrated the success of the second year of the Young Female Leaders in Security Mentoring Program. WIIS Poland is excited to announce that due to the program’s success, there will be a third year of the Young Female Leaders in Security Mentoring Program. The program aims to provide female participants with the tools and network required to successfully navigate the world of international security and defense and overcome the challenges women face in the industry.

Warsaw Security Forum (WSF) & WIIS Breakfast | WIIS Poland

Date: October 2, 2024Summary: WIIS Poland, in collaboration with Northrop Grumman, the European Academy of Diplomacy, and the Casimir Pulaski Foundation, brought together the brightest minds and special guests for a networking breakfast during the 11th edition of the Warsaw Security Forum. WIIS Poland had the privilege of hearing from remarkable leaders in the world of security and defense. With speakers such as Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Þórdís Kolbrún R. Gylfadóttir, Anna Luhrmann, Catherine Ashton, and Katarzyna Pisarska, the morning’s discussions were insightful, informative, and highly relevant to current debates in the security and defense field.

WIIS Italy x SGWI

Date: October 3, 2024Summary: A delegation of WIIS Italy, chaired by WIIS Italy President Loredana Teodorescu, met Katrina Fotovat, the Principal Deputy Director for the Secretary of State’s Office of Global Women’s Issues (SGWI), in Rome at the U.S. Embassy, ahead of the G7 Ministerial Meeting on Gender Equality. This was an important opportunity to exchange common priorities in addressing the WPS Agenda, women’s participation in mediation and peacebuilding, and gender equality and to explore potential synergies.

Our Voice: Multilogue Performance on Women, War and Peace | WIISCOMP (WIIS India)

Date: October 4, 2024Summary: WISCOMP’s 25th-anniversary celebration was marked by a unique performance on women, war, and peace titled “Our Voice,” curated by renowned Indian classical dancer Geeta Chandran. “Our Voice” was a celebration of resilience and hope amid the challenges of conflict and disruption so prevalent in today’s embattled world. Using the metaphor of water as a motif for recovery and resurgence, “Our Voice” wove women’s resistance to violence into the tapestry of peace, and a poetic symphony emerged from the everyday rhythms of reclaiming voice and space.

Virtual Workshop Series on Unarmed Civilian Protection | WISCOMP (WIIS India)

Date: October through November 2024Summary: In partnership with Geneva-based NGO Nonviolent Peaceforce, WISCOMP kickstarted a virtual workshop series on Unarmed Civilian Protection, a community-based and civilian-led approach practiced in different conflict zones worldwide. The inaugural session brought together distinguished peace practitioners, young students, and scholars from South Asia to deliberate on different practices to nurture trust and coexistence using nonviolent methods and strategies. This session offered insights from peace practitioners from South Sudan, Iraq, and Myanmar.

WIIS Italy at the Geneva Peace Week:

"Pathways to Peace: Empowering Young Women as Agents of Change" | WIIS Italy

Date: October 15, 2024Summary: WIIS Italy, alongside the OSCE, the Geneva Centre for Security Policy, and the Mediterranean Women Mediators Network, hosted the 2024 Geneva Peace Week side event "Pathways to Peace: Empowering Young Women as Agents of Change." During the panel, WIIS Italy President Loredana Teodorescu highlighted initiatives like the mentoring program and support for Afghan women leaders. The discussion stressed the importance of recognizing young women's roles in fostering a new culture of peace and dialogue, including young leaders from the Balkans and Afghanistan.

Shaping Canada's Future: Women Leaders in Business and Security | WIIS Canada

Date: October 18, 2024Summary: The NATO Association of Canada and Women In International Security Canada held an event entitled “Shaping Canada's Future: Women Leaders in Business and Security.” This event featured a panel of experts in academia, military, diplomacy, and business who provided their perspectives on Canada’s role in NATO, gender, and leadership in defense and security, and the challenges and opportunities in the current geopolitical landscape.

UN WPS Week high-level side event:

“Women-led Mediation Amidst Intersecting Climate and Humanitarian Crises: The Role of Women Mediator Networks” | WIIS Italy

Date: October 23, 2024Summary: WIIS Italy, in collaboration with the Mediterranean Women Mediators Network, OSCE, UN Women, the Pacific Women Mediators Network, FEWWISE, and the governments of Italy and Tonga, hosted a side event during UN WPS Week titled "Women-led Mediation Amidst Intersecting Climate and Humanitarian Crises." The event highlighted the essential role of regional women mediators in conflict prevention and peacebuilding, shared best practices, and explored ways to strengthen regional capacities against non-traditional security challenges. Discussions focused on women's leadership in addressing climate change and proposed strategies for enhancing accountability in global processes, reflecting on a decade of insights from the women mediator network ahead of the 25th anniversary of UNSCR 1325 in 2025.

UN WPS Week high-level side event:

“The Role of Women Mediators in Conflict Prevention and Resolution”| WIIS Italy

Date: October 25, 2024Summary: WIIS Italy, as an implementing partner of the Mediterranean Women Mediators Network, held a side event during UN WPS Week titled “The Role of Women Mediators in Conflict Prevention and Resolution” at UN Women's Headquarters in New York. Co-hosted with regional networks and UN Women under the Global Alliance of Regional Women Mediators Network, the panel featured women mediators sharing their experiences in peace processes and offered concrete recommendations ahead of the WPS Agenda's 25th Anniversary.

SUPPORT OUR WORK

Support our mission to empower women in peace and security by donating today—your contribution funds critical programs, career development opportunities, and research that paves the way for policy change and a more inclusive global security landscape.

Donate [[link removed]] Spotlights

WIIS Global Fellow Duilia Turner at FIU

Summary: WIIS Senior Global Fellow Duilia Turner spoke to members of various U.S. government agencies, companies, and NGOs at the Florida International University Security Certificate Course. Her talk focused on “Women, Peace and Security: Strategic Insights for Global Security in the 21st Century.” Duila’s remarks emphasized the importance of maintaining humanitarian values and approach to security and conflict and the need for collaboration in an increasingly digital security landscape.

2016 Awards [[link removed]] 2020 Awards [[link removed]]

UPCOMING AWARD:

Celebrating Peacebuilders of South Asia: WISCOMP Saahas Awards | WISCOMP (WIIS India)

Summary: After two successful editions in 2016 and 2020, the third edition of the WISCOMP Saahas Awards seeks to expand the canvas of engagement with peacebuilders, building a vocabulary of peace and nonviolence in South Asia. It celebrates stories of resilience and courage in facing adversities in protracted conflict zones across the region, from grassroots to international fora. This year's awards will recognize the work of individuals, organizations, and networks. Saahas in Hindi means courage. Read Here [[link removed]]

PUBLICATION:

Peace Prints, WISCOMP’s South Asian Journal | Being "(Re) Armed”: Women and the Security Sector

Summary: This anniversary volume of WISCOMP’s Peace Prints focuses on the induction of women soldiers and the gender system that sustains the military—an institution whose primary mission is often defined as war-fighting. This volume highlights the social transformation within the Indian armed forces, the military as a sociological institution, and the material reality of women's expansive participation and advancement. The volume continues this meaningful conversation among scholars, policymakers, and feminists.

Other Updates Listen Here [[link removed]]

Check out WIISCOMP’s New Podcast Series - Weaving Peace with WISCOMP

Summary: This podcast series seeks to celebrate stories of peaceful and compassionate coexistence amidst situations of violence and strife. Listen to the curtain-raiser episode with the Late Prof. Betty Reardon, an acclaimed peace educator reflecting on "New Frontiers of Peace Education" delivered to students at the University of Delhi. Her comments intricately chart an agenda for building pedagogies and paradigms of peace. Her exemplary work has had an indelible impact on WISCOMP’s Education for Peace Initiative.

Do you have feedback or suggestions for us?

Don’t hesitate to email [[email protected]] to suggest topics and/or events that you’re interested in so that we can better meet the needs of our community!

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