Women and Peace Conference

• Date:
• Location: Multiple locations: International Institute of Social StudiesPeace PalaceInner Embassy

About

This two-day international gathering explores how women’s leadership and participation can transform conflict resolution, mediation and sustainable peace. Day 1 focuses on foundational reflections and thematic panels; Day 2 advances into practice-oriented roundtables, commitments and closing dialogues.

Programme

Day 1 – 9 December 2025 (International Institute of Social Sciences)

• Opening Plenary & Welcome Address: Introduction to the conference theme, “In the Footsteps of Bertha von Suttner – What Legacy, What Perspectives?”
• Keynote Presentation: Reflecting on Bertha von Suttner’s legacy and its resonance for women’s leadership in peace-building today.
• Panel 1 – Gender & Security in Contemporary Conflicts: A discussion of how women are both impacted by and respond to modern conflict dynamics, and what “security” means when gender is part of the equation.
• Panel 2 – Women Mediators & Peace Processes: Exploring the roles, challenges and opportunities for women acting as mediators, negotiators or peace-builders in conflict and post-conflict settings.
• Panel 3 – Global Frameworks & Commitments: Examining the principle frameworks (for example UN agendas) for women, peace and security; how far they have been implemented and what remains to be done.
• Networking & informal dialogues among practitioners, academics and civil-society participants.

Day 2 – 10 December 2025 (Peace Palace)

• Workshop Sessions / Interactive Breakouts: Practical, action-oriented sessions where participants will engage with case studies, tools and methods for enhancing women’s participation in peace-building.
• High-level Roundtable / Stakeholders’ Forum: Convening decision-makers, representatives from international organisations, governments and women-led organisations to identify commitments, partnerships and next steps.
• Award Ceremony: Presentation of the Bertha von Suttner Peace Prize 2025 to a distinguished individual or organisation for outstanding contribution to women’s leadership in peace.
• Closing Plenary – From Agenda to Action: Bringing together insights from the two days to define concrete pathways, commitments and collaborative efforts for the future.
• Closing & Networking Reception: Opportunity for participants to connect, reflect and build new alliances for ongoing cooperation.

Who it’s for

• Peace-building practitioners, mediators and humanitarian actors
• Policymakers, diplomats and international-organisation staff focused on gender, peace & security
• Academics and students in international relations, gender studies or political science
• Civil-society actors, women-led organisations and community leaders committed to inclusive peace processes

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