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The Post-conference Report 

June 2008 saw Belfast play host to a major international conference focused the contribution of women in building peace in conflict zones around the world. The international 3 day conference was the culmination of the Peace by Piece programme. Funded by the European Union’s Peace and Reconciliation Programme 2000-2006 under Measure 2.4 Pathways to Inclusion, Integration and Reconciliation of Victims and managed for the Special European Union Programmes Body by The Community Foundation for Northern Ireland, this project involved 50 local women participating in a training programme designed to enhance their skills and gain a greater understanding of the role of women in Peacebuilding around the world. Over the course of this unique training programme local women have had the opportunity to examine how the political processes of the UN and EU impact upon local issues and have undertake to improve their own skills in order to cascade their learning back into their own communities.The programme and conference were developed and delivered by Training for Women Network (TWN) in association with Women into Politics, WomensTec, NI Commission for Children and Young People, NI Womens European Platform, UCIT and Footprints Womens Centre. The report based on this unique programme and conference event is available to view online or to download.

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The Conference

Armed conflict disadvantages women. In Northern Ireland, the priorities of conflict were constitutional issues, the question of national identity and equality between the conflicting groups. Issues that impacted more upon women, such as education, health, childcare, gender equality and social welfare, were less important to the conflict priorities. In addition, women were the sustainers of family and community while conflict raged around them. They were left to pick up the pieces and rebuild communities after the violence passed. Dealing with the legacy of conflict, therefore, requires the empowerment of women to make up for years of lost time, to develop and participate where the mechanisms of conflict has excluded them and take their rightful place in the design and development of a post-conflict society.

 

The focus of this three-day conference is to bring women from Northern Ireland, Europe and international arenas together to reflect, share, strengthen and celebrate the positive role of women internationally in times of conflict, stepping into transition and moving towards a future where women participate equally on a political, social, economic and judicial level.

 

After a long legacy of suffering, Northern Ireland is now emerging from 30 years of conflict. 2008 is the 10th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, an all-Ireland Agreement which commits to peace and democracy and building a society based on equality and justice.

 

We are inviting delegates to come to Belfast to share their own experiences and in particular gain an insight into the diversity and strength of the women’s sector in Northern Ireland and the role women have played in strengthening communities and contributing to politics and policy development.

 

Who should attend?

The conference programme has been put together to appeal to grassroots women who’ve grown up in a conflict situation, young women growing up in a post-conflict country, researchers and academics, peacebuilders and organisations involved in peacebuilding.

 

Why should you attend?

  • To share your experience, expertise and knowledge
  • To listen and learn new approaches to peacebuilding
  • To celebrate the positive role of women internationally
  • To acquire fresh ideas
  • To network and develop new contacts