January 2025 Newsletter

In 2024, your support allowed WIIS to be at the forefront of shaping the global security dialogue, amplifying diverse voices on collective security across key international platforms.

In 2024, as highlighted in our Annual Report, WIIS: 

1. Expanded its impact with the launch of a new chapter in Latvia and a 50% growth in new membership. 

2. Celebrated WIIS member Ajna Jusic at the White House when she received the International Women of Courage Award.

3. Played a pivotal role in creating the new NATO WPS Policy by leading a civil society consultation for Irene Fellin, NATO’s Special Advisor on WPS. 

4. Participated in several international security conferences in Riga, Munich, Warsaw, and Berlin and hosted a Women's Leadership Breakfast at the NATO Summit in Washington, DC.

WIIS Global is proud to introduce Mahathi Ayyagari (she/her) as the new Howard S. Brembeck Women, Peace, and Security Fellow. We are grateful to the Fourth Freedom Forum for their support in making this opportunity possible.

PUBLICATION

“Realizing NATO’s Women, Peace and Security Commitment in Practice” by Dr. Katharine Wright and Diana Morais | WIIS Global

• Summary: In this policy brief, WIIS Global network members Dr. Katharine Wright and Diana Morais look ahead to “the question of what NATO’s commitment to WPS, as outlined in the Strategic Concept and the revised NATO WPS Policy, would look like if it were realized in practice, specifically through the NATO WPS Action Plan due for renewal in 2025.”

PUBLICATION

“From tokenism to true participation: A young woman’s perspective on the Summit of the Future” by Chiara Zucchi | WIIS Italy

• Summary: In this blog, WIIS Italy member and Youth Advocate, Chiara Zucchi, writes about her perspective as a young woman at the UN Summit of the Future, held last September in New York.

EVENT (WIIS GLOBAL MEMBERS-ONLY)

WIISUp Wednesday | WIIS Global 

• Date:  January 29, 12:00 - 1:00 PM EST
• Summary: Kick off the new year by joining WIIS Global for a members-only virtual networking hour. The WIIS Global team will lead a discussion and participants will interact with each other and meet fellow members.
• Visit our events page to pre-register and learn more through the public announcement.

EVENT

Handelsblatt Conference "Security and Defense" | WIIS Germany 

• Date:  February 3 to 5, 2025
• Summary: Questions of security policy and defense capability continue to shape the political debate in Germany and Europe. One thing is clear: the security and geopolitical upheavals affect everyone – the military, the defense industry, politics, society, and the economy. The Handelsblatt “Security and Defense” Conference, taking place from February 3 to 5, 2025, in Berlin and online, contributes to this discourse and provides a high-level platform for assessing the current situation.

EVENT 

“Implementation of the UN Agenda: Women, Peace and Security in Poland - National and International Cooperation Aspect” | WIIS Poland

• Date: December 19, 2024
• Summary: WIIS Poland, in partnership with the Faculty of Political Science and International Studies at the University of Warsaw, held the 2nd Scientific Conference on implementing the WPS Agenda. Speakers included His Excellency Mark Brzezinski, Ambassador of the United States to Poland, His Excellency Étienne de Poncins, Ambassador of France to Poland, Her Excellency Alicia Irene Falkowski, Ambassador of Argentina to Poland, and Ms. Marie-Hélène Côté, Counsellor (Political and Public Affairs) at the Canadian Embassy in Poland.

EVENT

SAAHAS Awards Ceremony 2024 | WISCOMP (WIIS India)

• Date: December 17, 2024
• Summary:  The third edition of the WISCOMP Saahas Awards was held this past December, with a focus on deepening engagement with peacebuilders who are cultivating a language of peace and nonviolence in South Asia. The ceremony honored inspiring stories of resilience and courage in the face of adversity within protracted conflict zones, spanning from grassroots initiatives to international platforms. This year’s awards highlighted the contributions of individuals, organizations, and networks. "Saahas," meaning courage in Hindi, reflects the spirit of these efforts.

EVENT

Launch of the 2024 GEAC Report | WIIS Italy

• Date: December 17, 2024
• Summary: WIIS Italy President Loredana Teodorescu participated in the presentation of the G7 Gender Equality Advisory Council (GEAC) 2024 Report. The launch of this report marks the formal passage of the G7 GEAC presidency from Italy to Canada for 2025.

OPPORTUNITY

Meeting Deputy Minister-President Mona Neubaur | WIIS.de (WIIS Germany)

• Date: December 5, 2024
• Summary:  The Rheinland Regional Group (members of WIIS.de) had the opportunity to meet Mona Neubaur, Minister for Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection, and Energy, as well as Deputy Minister-President of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, in an intimate setting at the Düsseldorf State Parliament. The discussion focused on the intersection of economics and security and was organized by Johanna Wolf de Tafur, the leader of the Regional Group.

OPPORTUNITY

“35 Years After the Fall of the Berlin Wall: The Role of the German-American Partnership for Transatlantic Security” | WIIS.de Regional Group Leipzig

• Date: November 27, 2024
• Summary:  The new WIIS.de Regional Group Leipzig, in collaboration with the U.S. Consulate Leipzig, organized an event on the topic: "35 Years After the Fall of the Berlin Wall: The Role of the German-American Partnership for Transatlantic Security." The event was organized by Regional Group Leader Isabella-Diana Beyler and was moderated by Lisa-Martina Klein.