Thematic Panel 8 - 10th UNAOC Global Forum

Thematic Panel 8: "Enhancing mediation through intercultural and interreligious dialogue and leveraging the role of women peacemakers"

• H.E. Ms. Maria Teresa Fernández de la Vega, President and Founder of Fundación Mujeres por África, First Deputy Prime Minister of Spain (2004-2010)
• H.E. Ms. Suzi Carla Barbosa, Special Adviser of the President of the Republic for Foreign Affairs, Foreign Minister of Guinea Bissau (2019-2023)
• H.E. Ms. Emanuela Claudia Del Re, European Union (EU) Special Representative for the Sahel
• H.E. Mrs. Bouaré Bintou Founé Samaké, President, Women in Law and Development in Africa (WILDAF, Mali); Minister for the Promotion of Women, Children, and the Family of Mali (2020-2021)
• Ms. Irene Guia, ACI, Expert in refugees-related issues in Eastern Congo
• Dr. Malika Hamdi, Lecturer at Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) and Research Fellow at FRS- FNRS in Brussels

Moderator: Ms. Caddy Adzuba, President of the Association of Women in the Media (AFEM), President of Pelagie Muhigirwa Foundation, Democratic Republic of Congo

Women's role in peacemaking and increased participation in international mediation has been encouraged since the adoption of Security Council resolution 1325 in 2000 and the 2009 Report of the Secretary General stressing the need of an adequate representation of women among mediators and their effective participation at all levels of the peace process.

Additionally, General Recommendation No. 30 of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women emphasizes the importance of conflict prevention and violence reduction through early warning systems, diplomacy, mediation, and arms regulation, with a focus on addressing gender-based violence.

For over two decades, the critical role of women peacemakers in interreligious and intercultural conflicts has been recognized, emphasizing the need to amplify their voices and contributions across all levels of society and politics. Despite quantitative progress in women's participation as peace mediators, the UN Secretary-General's latest report underscores the importance of appointing women as expert mediators and integrating gender balance and expertise into mediation teams.

The session will showcase the many contributions of women peacemakers in the mediation of intercultural and interreligious dialogue and based on the direct engagement of its participants, it will identify venues for enhancing and supporting the role of women leaders as conflict mitigators.

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The 10th UNAOC Global Forum in Cascais, Portugal will convene members of the UNAOC Group of Friends, political leaders, representatives of international and regional organizations, religious leaders and faith actors, the private sector, civil society, academia, youth, arts and media, as well as donor agencies and foundations, who will address the global issues pertinent to peace and security and call for restoring trust and for uniting in peace. 

In Cascais, participants will have an opportunity to reflect on the twenty years of the 'Alliance of Civilizations' initiative, announced by Spain at the 59th session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2004, and how UNAOC grew into a vibrant and well-established United Nations entity.

The event will be an occasion to highlight and celebrate UNAOC achievements and map the blueprint for "One Humanity" in the years to come.