Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union

In 2010, the international community celebrates the tenth anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. The resolution acknowledged, for the first time, the importance of a gender dimension in the areas of peace building, peace keeping and conflict prevention.

The EU and Belgium are organizing three events, respectively in Brussels, Geneva and New York, structured around the three main pillars of Resolution 1325: participation, protection and prevention.

The European Union Joint team in Geneva is organizing its event structured around the protection pillar of SCR 1325 in collaboration with UN agencies and NGOs. This consultation will bring together representatives from Member States, UN organizations and NGOs, from humanitarian, human rights and security domains.

Resolution 1325 represents a milestone for the entire international community. It opens the way for the development of comprehensive approaches and plans in this area, by recognizing that effective institutional arrangements to guarantee the protection of women and girls can significantly contribute to the maintenance and promotion of international peace and security. It recognizes women’s agency and the fact that their active participation in humanitarian responses and post-conflict reconstruction is critical to ensure protection of civilians. Despite the progress visible gaps still remain today between policies and their effective implementation.

The 10th anniversary of the resolution provides a unique opportunity to discuss at different levels good practices and what has been learned from its implementation. It provides an occasion to assess the shortcomings that still hinder the full execution of the recommendations contained in the resolution 1325 and also 1820, 1888 and 1889. The resolution 1889 specifically encouraged “relevant actors to organize events during 2009 – 2010 at the global, regional and national levels to increase awareness about resolution 1325 (2000), including ministerial events, to renew commitments to “Women, Peace and Security” and to identify ways to address remaining and new challenges in implementing resolution 1325 (2000) in the future”.

As part of resolution 1325 celebrations, a high level Ministerial debate is due to take place at the Security Council in New York in October. The debate will focus on reviewing the implementation of resolution 1325 and subsequent resolutions, as well as examining ways to further enhance their impact.

To ensure input at this ministerial debate the European Union and Belgium have planned the three complementing events, shedding light on issues of implementation of resolution 1325. Various stakeholders such as governments, the United Nations, academia and non-governmental organizations are fully involved. The final outcome of these events will be a set of recommendations that will constitute an EU contribution to the UN high level Ministerial debate organized by the Security Council in New York in October.

The event in Geneva on the 15 and 16 September 2010 will focus on protection and will be organized by the Belgium Permanent Representation and the EU Delegation, in partnership with relevant UN agencies and NGOs. It will be coordinated by the United Nations Population Fund, the United Nations Refugee Agency, with the support of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research and the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom. The event will bring together representatives from Member States, UN organizations and NGOs, from humanitarian, human rights and security domains.

The event will be preceded by high-level consultations, hosted by the Mission of Belgium in collaboration with the Geneva Centre for the Control of Armed Forces (DCAF) and the United Nations Office in Geneva.

Objectives

The objective of the event is to explore progress, outstanding issues and strategies for the implementation of the protection element of resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.

The final outcome will be a set of recommendations that will constitute the EU contribution to the UN high level Ministerial debate organized by the Security Council in New York in October.  A repository of literature and good practice is being compiled on Peacewomen (www.peacewomen.org/pages/1325--10/1325--10-literature-repository) to enrich understanding, share experience and lessons learned on the implementation of resolution 1325.

Panels

• EU Contribution to the Implementation of Security Council Resolution 1325/2000: Lessons Learned from Central Africa and Great Lake Region

This panel will explore the role of the EU in relation to resolution 1325 and what practical measures have been taken or are planned towards its implementation, with particular focus on protection. This panel will particularly discuss developments within various EU external actions policies, including European Commission Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection, the EU Common Security and Defence Policy, Security Sector Reform in DRC and EU's relation with non governmental organizations, in line with the implementation of the 'EU Comprehensive Approach on the Implementation of resolutions 1325 and 1820'.

• Displacement and Protection under the Resolution 1325 Framework

This panel will introduce the issue of protection under resolution 1325 and will discuss the meaning of protection in the framework of resolution 1325, with specific reference to displacement (in pre- and post-conflict).

• Protection – ‘Impact of Conflict on Women and Girls’

This panel will explore the impact of conflict on women, and will discuss the role of resolution 1325’s provisions in mitigating these effects and ensuring women are agents of change.

• Post-conflict recovery – ‘No Peace without Peace for Women and their Communities’

This panel will discuss how participation by women enhances protection for all and reinforces peace building.