Past Events

To see more photos from the symposium, visit this page.

The first annual Symposium of the RN-WPS reflected our commitment to a “Year of Learning” and engaged in a broad and future-oriented discussion of the WPS agenda. It included a discussion on the origins of the WPS agenda - and what we can learn from the early aspirations of those advocating for its creation - as well as sessions focused on identifying and elaborating current challenges to the agenda, including those arising from global and national political dynamics, as well as those emerging from past efforts at implementation. It raised thematic and policy-areas that could and should be at the forefront of the WPS agenda in future years and examine ways to advance those opportunities in research and policy work. The Symposium took place over a two-day period, with the first day focused on sessions showcasing the research of network members and panels dedicated to the three RN-WPS research themes. The second day provided opportunities for professional development (particularly for younger network members), a session devoted to discussing and planning for future activities of the RN-WPS, and engagement with specific policy agendas, including National Action Plans on WPS. The Symposium created plenty of space for networking with fellow researchers, civil society actors, and representatives from government.

Objectives

1. Facilitate dialogue and build relationships between scholars, activists and policy makers;
2. Strengthen thematic areas of research within the RN-WPS;
3. Identify and contribute ideas to reimagine the WPS Agenda and Research;
4. Foster knowledge exchanges on the academic, activist, and policy opportunities, challenges and contexts that our members are confronting;
5. Build capacity in our respective areas of work through informal exchange of experiences;
6. Support conversations between the WPS Agenda and the Youth, Peace and Security Agenda.

In the ‘Year of Learning’, we worked towards deepening our learning from each other and of the limits and opportunities of the WPS agenda, developing new and supportive relationships. In this year's Symposium, we will build on last year’s experience and ask ‘How do we reimagine the agenda of Women, Peace and Security?’ and challenge our participants to collaboratively envision and craft new ways of thinking and doing that contests and transforms established principles and practices. We will work towards new policy, practice and pedagogy that centres anti-colonial, anti-racist, and feminist worldmaking: How do we reimagine peace in relation to gender and security?

Objectives

1. Provide space to deepen relationships and connections
2. Facilitate new ways of engaging in policy, pedagogy and politics related to WPS;
3. Work towards a Declaration on RN-WPS;
4. Learn in relation to the histories and place of our hosts.

To see more photos from the symposium, visit this page.

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