A Public Forum on " The Impact of UNSC Resolution 1325 on Peace Processes and their Agreements"

Quezon City – As a part of the Comparative Learning Project, Conciliation Resources, Sulong CARHRIHL, Center for Peace Education and WE ACT 1325 organized a forum on the Impact of UNSC Resolution 1325 on Peace Process and the Agreements at Caritas Room, Miriam College, Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City last April 15, 2011.
The main speaker for the forum was Prof. Christine Bell, Chair in International Law of University of Utleg. Prof. Bell’s research interests lie in the areas of transitional justice, peace agreements and international law, minority rights, discrimination, and gender and law.

The program started with an invocation led by Sr. Arnold Maria Noel, SSps, Co-Chairperson of Sulong CARHRIHL. It was followed by an Opening Message given by Dr. Loretta Castro from the Center for Peace Education. The Forum Rationale was then explained by Ms. Joeven Reyes, Sulong CARHRIHL Executive Director, highlighting the importance and timeliness of the forum as the peace negotiations between the GPH and the NDF just resumed. Mr. Kristian Kristian Herbolzheimer from Conciliation Resources, then introduced the speaker.

Professor Bell’s presentation centered on her research entitled” A Consultative Paper Exploring Issues Relevant to Peace Processes in the Philippines”. She discussed the contemporary form conflict, women and gender issues in conflicts, peace processes, peace agreements and the difficulties of processes for women. She also elaborated on the UN Security Council Resolution 1325.

The Open forum, which was facilitated by Ms. Karen Tañada, followed. Members of the audience were given the chance to ask queries and to clarify certain points with Prof. Bell. Ten, to formally end the day’s activity, Ms. Karen Tañada gave the synthesis of the forum and the closing remarks, emphasizing the need for women to participate in the peace processes.