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How Can Canada Best Support Women in the Field of Conflict and Atrocity Prevention?

Ottawa Experts Roundtable Findings: Full Report

March 01, 2018

On March 1, 2018, key actors from civil society, government, local organizations and networks gathered for an Experts Roundtable on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. The objective of the session was to explore strategies for how Canada can best support and protect the capacity of women in the field of conflict and atrocity prevention.

¶¡ÏãÔ°AV’s Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue convened the event in partnership with the Montreal Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies (MIGS) at Concordia University, and the Women, Peace and Security Network – Canada, as part of the proceedings for the 2017/18 Jack P. Blaney Award for Dialogue, awarded to Alice Wairimu Nderitu. It took place under the patronage of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Prevention of Genocide and Other Crimes against Humanity, and the Raoul Wallenberg All-Party Parliamentary Caucus for Human Rights.

Participants engaged in a wide discussion around the following questions:

  • Are there specific capacities that Canada can bring to protect women human rights defenders (WHRDs) working on the front lines, both in the field and in exile?
  • What is Canada’s niche in this space? What can Canada do to build on what it has done in the past while aligning with other experts and actors in the field?
  • What is the most effective support that Canadians, through their governments, civil society organizations and businesses, can offer to protect, support and enhance the impact of women and women’s organizations working for conflict and atrocity prevention?
  • How can the implementation of the 2017- 2022 Canada National Action Plan (C-NAP) take into account the lessons from women who have survived armed conflict?

Participants identified a broad set of recommendations on how Canada can practically support women in the field of conflict and atrocity prevention, then worked in teams to frame where Canada can have the greatest impact for each area of recommendations.

The purpose of this report is to reflect the key themes and ideas that emerged from the dialogue, which was held in camera. This document does not represent a consensus statement. Policy recommendations have not been verified, but are instead the product of breakout groups and may not reflect the views of all participants.

Participants identified a broad set of recommendations on how Canada can practically support women in the field of conflict and atrocity prevention, then worked in teams to frame where Canada can have the greatest impact for each area of recommendations.

The purpose of this report is to reflect the key themes and ideas that emerged from the dialogue, which was held in camera. This document does not represent a consensus statement. Policy recommendations have not been verified, but are instead the product of breakout groups and may not reflect the views of all participants.