NATO Workshop on Gender perspectives

NATO Workshop on Gender perspectives: Training in the Context of Mainstreaming UNSCR 1325 into NATO-led Operations and Missions

Since 2007, NATO and its Partners have been working to develop new programmes and projects that support and contribute to the implementation of the mission described in United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325. In this framework, the Operations Division at NATO HQ organized a Workshop, hosted at the NATO Defense College from the 2nd to 4th November 2011.

Almost 65 participants, from NATO Member and Partner Countries, gathered on the NDC premises to discuss the operational aspects of UNSCR 1325 and ways of promoting training in this field.

The participants were welcomed by Brigadier General Patrick Desjardins, NDC Director of Academic Operations Division, who underlined in his welcome remarks how a successful working environment is much more influenced by knowledge and personal skills than by gender. Brigadier General Desjardins shared the floor with Ambassador Stephen Evans, Assistant Secretary General Operations at NATO HQ, who invited the attendees to share their experiences, make proposals, and to make the political level of the Alliance more aware of the need to implement the UNSCR 1325 in Operations and Missions.

The Workshop was divided into five stimulating sessions focused respectively on National training, International organizations, NATO and Partners’ international training, Gender awareness in operations, and Field Experts’ feedback.

During the three-day discussion, the participants sought to contribute to the NATO Action Plan on Mainstreaming UNSCR 1325 by sharing their experiences as women, commandants, field experts, and gender advisors. The implementation of UNSCR 1325 at the operational level represents a step forward in the concrete application of the intentions and policies contained in the Resolution, adopted on 31 October 2000, which commits all UN member states, NATO allies included, to integrate gender perspectives into all aspects of the security sector. This includes the active participation and inclusion of women in conflict resolution, peace processes, peacekeeping operations, disarmament, demobilisation, reintegration, security sector reform, protection, and women’s rights.

LtCol. Mario Masdea, Chief Public Affairs and Protocol Officer, ITA-A