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XV Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement
First Ladies Summit
WOMEN IN CRISIS MANAGEMENT
Perspectives on Current Challenges, Best Practices and
Lessons Learned
Sharm El Sheikh
July 15-16, 2009
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Concept Paper
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XV Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement
First Ladies Summit
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Women in Crisis Management
Perspectives and Challenges, Best Practices and Lessons
Learned
I. Background
The world is living in unprecedented times, witnessing a
global economic and financial crisis, the volatility in
global food prices as well as climate change-related
hazards. These enormous challenges have raised the attention
of the international community to the need for a significant
shift towards an improved globalization based on
sustainability, human dignity, broader social protection and
effective dialogue. In turn this necessitates direct
engagement of women in crisis management related, but not
limited to the said crises.
The NAM First Ladies Summit is scheduled to be held on 15-16
July 2009 in Sharm El Sheikh, in conjunction with the
Non-Aligned Movement Heads of States and Governments Summit,
under the title: Women in Crisis Management: Perspectives
and Challenges " Best Practices and Lessons Learned". This
theme is in line with the Non-Aligned Movement focus on
addressing the global challenges we face today.
The role of women in the development of their societies has
been under focus by NAM countries in the last decade. This
resulted in convening two ministerial meetings on women
issues and concerns, together with the establishment of a
NAM Institute for the Empowerment of Women in Kualalumpur,
Malaysia. Hence, we need more concrete efforts, with action
oriented measures in the areas of advancement of women and
achievement of sustained economic growth and the sustainable
development of our societies.
The NAM First Ladies Summit provides a unique opportunity in
the pursuit of such objectives.
II. Summtit Objectives
The First Ladies Summit aims at making assessment of the
challenges we are facing today. It will further attempt to
convey a strong political message through a viable gender
perspective from NAM countries on the appropriate means to
address these challenges.
The summit will constitute a platform for NAM First Ladies
to identify ways and means through which women can play an
effective role in crisis management. This will take place
through the following:
- Inputs provided through the presentations of key United
Nations Agencies on the current financial, food humanitarian
and health crises focusing on the importance of paying due
consideration to the needs of women, especially in NAM
countries, and to integrate them in the different stages of
the crisis management.
- Insights on the scope of the crises, identifying best
practices and lessons learned at the national, regional and
international levels as well as exploring areas of
cooperation and coordination among NAM members.
- Inputs on the challenges facing the empowerment of women,
the role of women in peace-building, conflict resolution and
natural disasters.
- Exploring ways and means to further develop and share
capacity building initiatives to meet the needs of women in
cooperation with the United Nations system and the civil
society.
III. Overview of the Programme of Work and sub-themes for
discussion
The First Ladies Summit will be divided in two substantive
sessions. The first session will take place in the afternoon
of the 15th of July 2009. The meeting will resume on the
morning of the 16th of July through a second working
session. (Please refer to the attached draft agenda and
draft program of work)
Day One:
The Inaugural Statement by H.E. Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak, First
Lady of Egypt will be followed by presentations seven
minutes each by the heads of FAO and WFP. An interactive
dialogue will follow and discussants will be given five
minutes each to address the meeting. Discussants are
encouraged to focus on the sub-theme of working session one
as follows:
Sub-theme for Working Session One: Expanding Prospects for
Women in the Context of the Global Economic and Food Crises
– Transforming Challenges into Opportunities.
Expanding economic opportunities to women is vital to
overcome negative consequences resulting from Global Crises.
This session will explore ways and means through which our
societies can further harness national and regional
initiatives that enhance the role of women in crises
management. Participants are encouraged to address the
following questions:
How can NAM help women prepare themselves for challenges
ahead? What are the required tools to transform challenges
into opportunities?
This session may also address the following issues:
- Identification and response to specific needs of women in
crises.
- Integration of a gender perspective in policies and
responses.
- Exploration of Global Plans and means of enhancing
cooperation and coordination between relevant stakeholders
and development of more cohesive strategies.
- Identification of best practices and success stories.
Day Two:
Sub-theme for Working Session Two: Enhancing Women's Role in
Addressing Global Humanitarian and Health Crises.
Presentations will be made by the heads of WHO and ITU on
global humanitarian and health crises.
In a world facing increased and recurrent humanitarian and
health crises, the role of women is essential in effective
crisis management and the well being of their societies. The
purpose of this session is to exchange experiences and
lessons learned from the participation of women in various
phases of management of humanitarian and health crises, with
a special focus on integrating a gender perspective into all
crisis management related activities.
The UNSC Resolution 1325 (2000) and also UNSC Resolution
1820 (2008) offer meaningful perspectives in the role of
women on crisis management (attached is an overview of
"Suzanne Mubarak Women's International Peace Movement
(SMWIPM)"). The role that modern information and
communication technologies can play in addressing these
crises will also be discussed. This session may also address
the following questions:
- How are women disproportionately affected during the
various phases of humanitarian and health crises? what are
the best ways of addressing their needs?
- What are the different approaches identified by
international organizations and relevant international
actors to address these crises?
- How can we create synergies and enhance cooperation
between various stakeholders when addressing humanitarian
and health crises?
- What role can modern information and communication
technologies play in confronting these crises?
IV. Outcome and Recommendations:
In conclusion, a Chair's Summary, including main points of
discussion and recommendations, resulting from the debate,
will represent the outcome of the First Ladies Summit. A
follow-up mechanism can be envisaged to mobilize the
engagement of all stakeholders in order to implement the
points of agreement resulting from this summit, among which
a special Web-site designed as a tool of networking,
exchange of views, experiences and best practices.
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