For the past 43 years, the International Day of Peace (Sept. 21) has offered the world an opportunity to unite, rise above differences, and focus on building a culture of peace.
A one-day public workshop in honour of Peace Day hosted by Dal鈥檚 Dallaire Institute later this month will spotlight the essential yet often underrecognized role of women in this work, particularly in addressing critical peace and security challenges affecting children.
鈥淭he Dallaire Institute has been working around the world to create women's dialogue networks that have taught us a great deal about localized efforts to create peace and security,鈥� says Dr. Shelly Whitman, executive director of the
鈥淚t is our hope that this workshop and public event will shed light on alternative approaches to building peace and security while at the same time amplifying voices that are often underrepresented.鈥�
, planned for Sept 17 in the Joseph Strug Concert Hall from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., will provide an in-depth exploration of the academic and technical aspects of peace and security through two panel sessions moderated by Dr. Julie Hyde, director of research and knowledge mobilization for the Dallaire Institute.
Assessing impact, breaking cycles
The morning panel, "Intersectionality of Harms: Impact of Armed Conflict & Violence on Children," brings together women dedicated to mitigating the effects of violence on women and children:
- Dr. Kate Swanson, professor and Canada Research Chair in International Peace, Security, and Children at AV俱乐部
- Charu Lata Hogg, founder and executive director of All-Survivors Project
- Dragica Mikavica, programme officer at the Office of the Special Representative to the United Nations Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict
The afternoon panel, "Interdisciplinary Approaches to Breaking Cycles of Violence Against Children," features a diverse group of female experts:
- Esther Omom, executive director of Reach Out Cameroon
- Julia Freedson, independent consultant in child protection, child rights, and organizational strategy
- Dr. Felicity Gray, global head of policy and advocacy at Nonviolent Peaceforce
A special performance by the Nova Scotia Mass Choir kicks off the evening event, which will be held in the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium from 6:30-8:30 pm.
Dr. Whitman will moderate a panel discussion that offers a unique opportunity for the general public to learn about the peace-mediation strategies women and communities are using to prevent armed violence and child trafficking as well as the challenges they face.
Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, will initiate the discussions via live video feed, followed by a dialogue between:
- Her Excellency Dr. Fatou Bensouda, Gambian high commissioner to the United Kingdom and former prosecutor of the International Criminal Court
- Muzna Dureid, Syrian human rights activist and advocacy manager at the Nobel Women鈥檚 Peace Initiative
- Cynthia Chigwenya, former African Union youth ambassador for peace for southern Africa
For more information and to register for the event, visit聽.