Introductory Meeting of the ED of ASEAN-IPR With Members of the ASEAN Women for Peace Registry (AWPR)

20 January 2021,

Via Videoconference,

This morning saw a gathering of ASEAN sisterhood. Executive Director (ED) of the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (ASEAN-IPR), Mr. I Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja, held a courtesy Introductory Meeting with Members of the ASEAN Women for Peace Registry (AWPR) earlier today (Wednesday, 20 January 2021) through videoconference. A total of 20 out of the 26 AWPR Members from 9 ASEAN Member States (AMS) participated in the Meeting.

The ED, whose tenure started in November 2020, briefed the AWPR Members on his 90-Day Work Plan (priorities of his first three months in office), his overall vision for the Institute, and informed the Meeting that the Institutes Governing Council has endorsed a new Three-Year Work Plan for the Institute for 2021-2023. The ED also briefed the AWPR Members on the Institutes on-going projects ? of which he expressed hope that the Institute could always tap into the Registrys experience and expertise in the implementation of such projects.

Members of the Registry warmly congratulated and welcomed ED Puja on his recent appointment. Registry Members were also given the opportunity to introduce themselves and their respective work to the ED, as well as their peers.

Since it was the first gathering of the Registry since their Videoconference Meeting in June 2020, the ED also sought for the AWPR Members hope and aspiration for the Registry, for the work of the Institute, as well as for ASEAN in general. Some Members expressed hope to be able to meet face-to-face, when the time and situation permits, in order to directly know better each Members line of work, and learn from each other ? possibly through an informal women-to-women talk. Many expressed the endeavour for the Registry to be able to support the implementation and realisation of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda in the region. Others also expressed their view/hope for Members to the Registry to engage more on training/capacity building activities of the Institute (including research and peace education); or empower Members of the Registry to be able to engage/assist/facilitate directly in peace processes, whether at the national or regional level, towards the creation of a culture of peace.

Some Members also took the opportunity to share upcoming events and/or projects, of which they intend to invite the participation of their fellow Registry Members. For information on Members of the ASEAN Women for Peace Registry, visit the ASEAN-IPR Website and follow this link: https://asean-aipr.org/asean-women-peace-registry/