Security Council focuses on women, peace and security.

• Position: NGOWatch

The participation of women is a key variable in achieving sustainable peace and security. Having recognized this principle in its resolution on women, peace and security, the Security Council, during a working roundtable meeting at the Rockefeller Foundation on the 1 July, discussed the concrete implications of resolution 1325 (2000) on their daily activities.

The Permanent Missions of Canada, Chile and the United Kingdom to the United Nations and the NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security co-sponsored this roundtable with Council members. The discussion focus built on the recommendations developed at the first roundtable held in January 2004. In his opening remarks, Ambassador Lauro L. Baja, Jr. of the Philippines stated: "We cannot lose sight of women's concerns in the reconstruction processes. Sustainable and durable peace can only be achieved when women's concerns and contributions are incorporated in every aspect of rebuilding the peace, including social and economic reconstruction."

Using the framework of the "3 Ps"--principles of conflict prevention, participation of women in peace and security, and protection of civilians with consideration to the specific needs of women, men, girls and boys--the roundtable aimed to develop a strategy for advancing the effective implementation of resolution 1325 in the work of the Council (see UN Chronicle, issue 1, 2004).

Ian Martin, Vice-President of the International Center for Transitional Justice and facilitator for the first and second roundtables, drew on his experience in various international peacekeeping missions. Small breakout groups, comprised of Council members, UN officials and civil society representatives, discussed ways in which the principles of resolution 1325 could be more effectively incorporated into the work of the Council, including resolutions, presidential statements and terms of reference for the Permanent Missions. The objectives of the roundtable discussion were to develop a practical tool to facilitate Council members to systematically consider a gender perspective in the drafting of all resolutions, presidential statements and terms of reference, and to launch a forward-looking discussion on expectations, outcomes and strategies for further implementation in advance of the October 2004 anniversary of resolution 1325 and consideration of the Secretary-General's report.

Some of the key outcomes from the discussion included:

* Recognition that all actors and...