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	Women key to lasting peace solutions by International Women"s Development Agency Ireland / Pacific Islands   Nov 2008   Women key to lasting peace solutions - Mary Robinson. (Irish Times)   If more women were involved in peace negotiations, the chances of arriving at lasting solutions would be greater, former Irish president Mary Robinson told delegates at a major conference on women and conflict in Dublin.   The "Women, Peace and Conflict" conference, is aimed at exploring how implanting UN Security Council resolution 1325 can address the impact of armed conflict on women and ensure that they are central to conflict prevention, peacekeeping, conflict resolution and peace-building.   This resolution, passed eight years ago, points to the importance of involving women in all aspects of conflict prevention; calls for the protection of women, and recognises the adverse impact that conflict can have on women.   The conference has been organised by the Joint Consortium on Gender Based Violence, which includes organisations such as Action Aid Ireland, Amnesty International, Concern, Trocaire and Irish Aid. In addition, women who have lived and worked in areas of conflict will address the conference.   Speakers include Suraya Pakzad from Afghanistan, who won the "Woman of Courage" award this year for her work in educating young girls under the Taliban regime, and Gisela da Cruz de Carvalho, founder and director of an organisation called Young Women Working Together in East Timor.   Delivering the keynote address Mary Robinson, who is a special advisor to the consortium, said that the voices of women are critical in peace negotiation.   “Where women are excluded or are absent from the table, the agreed solutions often fail to recognise the impact of violence on women and children,” she said. “If women were given more opportunities to engage in conflict prevention and peace negotiations, it is likely that solutions would be more holistic and effective,” said Ms Robinson.   Nov 2008   UN Security Council Resolution 1325, on Women, Peace and Security. (IWDA)   The 31st of October marks the 8th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, on Women, Peace and Security. This landmark resolution recognizes the crucial role that women play in peace-building and the prerequisite of women’s full participation in peace-building for sustainable peace.   It also recognizes the need for special measures to protect women and girls from gender-based violence in armed conflict situations.   IWDA’s partner, femLINKPACIFIC, the Coordinator of the Pacific regional women’s media network on UNSCR 1325, is calling on Pacific Forum Leaders to remember that equitable representation by women is what will enable true conflict transformation and sustainable peace.   “Ultimately, without women’s equal participation, sustainable peace, sustainable development and true human security are unattainable. Women must be able to contribute their perspectives, help determine the direction of policy options, and have a greater say over budgetary allocations, including military and defence spending.” Sharon Bhagwan Rolls, Coordinator, femLINKPACIFIC.   Below is the text of Sharon’s email.   Friday, 31/10/2008 is the 8th Anniversary of UN Security Counci Resolution 1325 (Women, Peace and Security). On that day Pacific Peacewomen will launch Policy Responses and Solutions for our Pacific Region - a policy initiative of the regional women’s media network on UN security council resolution 1325 at a Policy and Media roundtable in partnership with the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA).   Seldom does the UN Security Council have a Women’s Peace and Security network that celebrates, advertises and promotes its resolutions. However, when the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security on October 31, 2000 that"s just what it got.   While Women from Bougainville, Fiji and Solomons have been involved in peace building since before the adoption of UNSC resolution 1325, we have taken it up for advocacy as a compliment to international instruments like the Beijing Platform for Action, and CEDAW.   We are using 1325 to link to broader political platforms for women’s participation in making decisions that affect their lives and that particularly prevent conflict or the resurgence of conflict.   Since the 2006 Gender, Conflict, Peace and Security meeting convened by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, femLINKPACIFIC has worked to establish a regional women’s media network to document and promote the work of Pacific Peace women to advance the implementation of UNSCR1325 at national, regional as well as international levels.   This network, has grown from the pilot projects initially supported by the UNIFEM Pacific regional project on Women, Peace and Security, and opportunities to work with international partners such as the NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security and its members including the International Women"s Tribune Centre, the Peace women project of the Women"s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) and the Inclusive Security/Sustainable Peace: Women Waging Peace network.   The regional women’s media network on UNSC resolution 1325 is coordinated byfemLINKPACIFIC (based in Suva, Fiji) and includes Maûa Fafine mo e Famili (Tonga), Leitana Nehan Women’s Development Agency of Bougainville (PNG), Vois Blong MereSolomon (Honiara).   Through our media and policy initiatives including dialogues and Peace Talks with governments, and through our mentoring programme that brings in young women, we are educating a new generation of policy makers and youth about how we can build enduring peace in our societies.   With the launch of our policy document we are adding to the “her story” of Peacewomen in the Pacific, dating back to the early days of the Fiji Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) which provided the early nurturing ground to the Nuclear Free Independent Pacific movement.   After a very broad consultation process that has included engagement with Pacific women, Pacific governments and security sector, the United Nations and international experts contains our specific recommendations seek to breathe life into the ideas and ideals set for the in resolution 1325 and are based on the following foundations.   Resolution 1325 is a framework: It makes women and a gender perspective relevant to all aspects of peace and security, including negotiating peace agreements, planning refugee camps, peacekeeping operations and reconstructing war-torn societies, including mine clearance, elections and security sector reform.   Resolution 1325 is a tool: Women in the Pacific and around the world have been using resolution 1325 as a key to open doors into negotiations, as a loud hailer to have their voices heard, as a pen to inscribe their issues onto the agenda, as a mirror to hold up to governments to remind them of policy and budget commitments, and as a lens to help see security through women’s eyes.   Resolution 1325 has started to change security thinking. This resolution has helped to change how security is discussed, organized and delivered by governments and the United Nations. Recognizing that women have a huge role to play in preventing conflict and building peace, ten governments have generated 1325 National Action Plans to help ensure that their foreign policy, financial contributions and peacekeeping troops advance the principles and actions of resolution 1325.   Resolution 1325 has increased collaboration between governments and civil society: Women"s organisations and advocates have joined forces with governments and UN agencies to translate the words of 1325 into action. In the Pacific there is increasing recognition of both official and unofficial dialogue at the Forum Regional Security Committee meetings and on the national level.   Resolution 1325 is not yet implemented: The resolution has prompted a quantum leap forward in understanding, yet women continue to be marginalized in peace and security decision making, our world continues to make increasing investments in war, weapons and militarism, and women continue to suffer terribly in wars as well as during internal, political conflicts.   “We are tring to build peace and promote good will amongst our fellow women, men and children towards a goal that we will all live in peace".   * Sharon Bhagwan Rolls, femLINKPACIFIC - Coordinator, femLINKPACIFIC, Helen Hakena - Executive Director, Leitana Nehan Women"s Development Agency, Josephine Teakeni - Executive Director, Vois Blong Mere Solomons, Betty Blake - Coordinator, Maua Fafine mo e Famili. Visit the related web page
	Religion can never justify terrorism or killing of innocents by UN News   Nov 2008   A high-level meeting of the United Nations General Assembly today decried the use of religion to justify the killing of innocent people and terrorist acts and voiced concern that serious instances of intolerance, discrimination and harassment persist between people of different faiths and cultures.   The two-day “Culture of Peace” gathering, convened on the initiative of King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, called for mutual understanding through dialogue, and respect for human rights among proponents of various faiths, cultures, and civilizations.   “Concerned about serious instances of intolerance, discrimination, hatred expressions, and harassment of minority religious communities of all faiths, participating States underlined the importance of promoting dialogue, understanding, and tolerance among human beings, as well as respect for all their diverse religions, cultures and beliefs,” according to a declaration read out at a news conference by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as the meeting concluded.   “Participating States affirmed their rejection of the use of religion to justify the killing of innocent people and actions of terrorism, violence and coercion, which directly contradict the commitment of all religions to peace, justice and equality,” it added. Mr. Ban said the challenge now was to move beyond “powerful, positive words” to “dialogue that delivers.”   In the declaration, the General Assembly reiterated its call for “promoting a culture of tolerance and mutual understanding through dialogue, and supporting the initiatives of religious leaders, civil society, and states seeking to entrench the culture of peace, understanding, tolerance, and respect for human rights among the proponents of various faiths, cultures, and civilizations.”   Participating States expressed their commitment to strengthening existing mechanisms within the United Nations for “promoting tolerance and human rights, preserving the institution of the family, protecting the environment, spreading education, eradicating poverty, and fighting drug abuse, crime and terrorism, noting the positive role of religions, beliefs and moral humanitarian principles in tackling these challenges.”   Mr. Ban commended the Saudi leader. “King Abdullah"s initiative has come at a time when the need for dialogue among religions, cultures and civilizations has never been greater. It has brought together people who might not otherwise have a chance to interact. Along with other initiatives, it will contribute to building a more harmonious world.
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