ASEAN-IPR Training Programme on Women, Peace and Security (WPS)
ASEAN-IPR UPDATE
ASEAN-IPR Training Programme on Women, Peace and Security (WPS)
30 September-4 October 2024
Bangkok, Thailand
The ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (ASEAN-IPR) conducted the first in-person training of the Women, Peace & Security (WPS) Training Programme. Since 2021, ASEAN-IPR initiated the development of training modules specifically aimed at equipping government officials of ASEAN Member States (AMS) with the necessary knowledge and skills set on conflict resolution and peacebuilding from a gender perspective, in line with the pillars of WPS Agenda as prescribed by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1325.
The in-person sessions were preceded by Module Zero, a two-day introductory module on the concept of peace, violence and gender, held online on 26-27 September 2024. The following week, participants convened in Bangkok, Thailand, to undergo Module One and Two from 30 September to 4 October 2024. The Training Programme in Bangkok was officiated by the Executive Director (ED) of ASEAN-IPR and representative of the UK Mission to ASEAN.
In his remarks, the ED of ASEAN-IPR, Mr. I Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja, highlighted that following the adoption of ASEAN Leaders’ Joint Statement on WPS (2017), it has become a priority for ASEAN-IPR to mainstream gender perspectives into regional peace and security agendas. The ED further underlined ASEAN-IPR’s dedication to establishing a training programme on WPS to integrate WPS pillars into ASEAN Member States' policymaking and community-building efforts. Building on these insights, Mr. Equilibrium Tampubolon, representative of the UK Mission to ASEAN, highlighted that since becoming an ASEAN Dialogue Partner in 2021, the UK has identified WPS as a key area where their support can make a lasting impact on the stability of the region. Looking ahead to 2025, he emphasised the importance of incorporating WPS into ASEAN’s upcoming vision and strategic documents, while encouraging the continued development of WPS National Action Plans across all ASEAN Member States.
Organised with the support of the UK Mission to ASEAN and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the Training served as a critical component of ASEAN’s ongoing efforts to enhance peace, security, and stability across the region through a gender-inclusive approach. Consisting of three modules, the Training programme targeted government officials from ASEAN Member States and Timor-Leste – mainly from the defense and security sectors – who have previously had little to no prior exposure to WPS Agenda, to contribute towards strengthening regional capacity development in implementing WPS Agenda and mainstreaming gender in the peace and security sector.
Module Zero, titled “Peace, Gender, and the Women, Peace and Security Resolutions: An Introduction,” was spearheaded by Dr. Emma Leslie and Dr. Jasmin Nario-Galace. Module One, focused on “Conflict Analysis,” was conducted by Dr. Arifah Rahmawati and Assoc. Prof. Do Thi Thuy. Lastly, Module Two, which addressed “Conflict Resolution, Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Recovery, and Peacebuilding,” was facilitated by Dr. Jasmin Nario-Galace, Dr. Amporn Marddent, and Dr. Fitriani.
The Training provided highly interactive sessions with information-packed presentations, case studies and simulations on conflict analysis, conflict resolution, post-conflict reconstruction and recovery, as well as peacebuilding from a gender-sensitive lens, all within the four pillars of the WPS Agenda.
As a conclusion to the series of training modules of the WPS Training Programme, Module Three – aimed for senior level officials – is scheduled to take place next year in 2025.
Stay tuned to ASEAN-IPR’s Website and social media platforms for further updates on the Institute’s initiatives/activities relevant to the development of the WPS Agenda in the region