Hanna’s House Cork November 2009

1. Hanna’s HouseCork November 2009 UNSCR 1325 Lessons in Peace-building From Ireland Bronagh Hinds DemocraShe

2. UNSCR 1325 Improve the Dynamic and Prospects for Peace • Increase the number of women in decision-making in preventing, managing and resolving conflicts • Increase participation of women at decision-making levels in conflict resolution and peace building • Adopt a gender perspective when negotiating and implementing peace agreements • Ensure women’s needs are taken into account – involve local women’s peace initiatives – protect women’s human rights • Ensure international missions include women • Advance and sustain gender mainstreaming

4. The Challenges of Getting Women into Peace Negotiations • Violence and violent actors get the attention • Actors with political power get the attention • Crowded stage: Multiple factions and players • Crowded agenda: everyone has something they want • Sustaining energy: long war – long peace process • Sustaining action: financial and people resources with dedicated focus • Power brokers block access • It is the battle for the heart and soul of democracy

5. Long War – Long Peace Process • North Ireland Government suspended & Direct Rule 1972 • Sunningdale Declaration 1973 & Power-sharing Executive 1974 • Anglo-Irish Agreement 1985 • Hume Adams Talks 1990s • ‘No selfish or strategic interest’ 1991 • Downing Street Declaration 1993 • Forum for Peace and Reconciliation 1994 • Frameworks Documents 1995 • Multi-Party Talks & NI Forum for Political Dialogue 1996-98 • Good Friday/Belfast Agreement 1998 • Northern Ireland Assembly & Power-sharing Executive 1998-2003 • Northern Ireland Assembly 2003-2007 (Direct Rule) • Leeds Castle Talks 2004 • St. Andrews Agreement 2006 • Northern Ireland Assembly & Power-sharing Executive 2007 • Agreement on Policing & Justice to come

6. Engagement Stages & StrategyExample: Northern Ireland 1970/80s:Relationships: grassroots action learning to work across difference, building common ground & networks 1980/90s:Networking: mobilise on women and decision-making, network across national boundaries/internationally 1990/00s:Capacity building: learn about politics & lobbying, policy engagement Pre-1996:Prepare for Opportunity: connect the civil society women and decision-making agenda with political process March 1996:Create Opportunity: Lobby political parties/ British&Irish govts to gender proof negotiations April 1996: Spot Opportunity: Lobby toinclude women in the election law for peace negotiations May 1996: Seize Opportunity: Run for election, prepare to enter formal power

7. Mental ShiftFrom Informal to Formal “difficulty in joining … sectionalised or sectarian political parties” “audacity of men sitting around a table planning the future of N Ireland without women present”

9. LessonsStrategy of the NIWC • Challenge lack of women in major political parties • Non-partisan image: suffragette colours • Positioning: not middle ground party for middle ground solution – inclusive of all interests and inclusive dialogue • Challenge political culture & style: ‘Say Good-bye to the Dinosaurs’! • Bind women in: Adopted NI NGO delegation policy positions for UN 4th World Conference of Women in Beijing • Work from key principles:inclusion, human rights and equality

10. NIWC Candidates 1997 Councils

11. LessonsNIWC: a different approach • Principles: • Inclusion: • Accommodation: • Process: • Shared Future: • Culture: • Problem solving: • On-the-job learning: • Outreach:

12. LessonsNIWC Model of Negotiation • Assume good faith, honesty and integrity in bargaining • Build trust, confidence and relationships • Listen actively – to verbal and non-verbal • Deal with opposition and resistance • Lead change in behaviour patterns • Cope with the unknown and unpredictable • Think creatively and be innovative • Frame and re-frame

13. LessonsModelling Democracy • Inclusive negotiating process • Willingness to work towards accommodation • Joint problem-solving v adversarial bargaining refusing to move from set positions • Shared effort to search for common ground & advance common interests • Separate positions from interests, identify specific needs and offer solutions that respond to needs • Comprehensive and complex agenda that offers opportunity for win-win rather than zero sum

14. Did women add to 1998 Good Friday Agreement? • Made proposals on constitution, governance, criminal justice, arms decommissioning, policing, prisoners, human rights & equality – in all strands of negotiations • Insisted Good Friday Agreement must ‘speak’ to everyone not just political power-brokers: victims, integrated housing and schooling, women and development of local communities. • 2 unique proposals to extend political participation: electoral reform & citizens’ forum

15. ‘The Constitution’Good Friday Agreement • “the right of women to full and equal political participation” • “the advancement of women in public life” DemocraShe: formed in 2000 to advance these ideals

16. DemocraShe 242 women trained over 3 election cycles 41% female councillors & 50% MLAs

17. DemocraShe: peace & democracy through women in politics “ The cause of women in Northern Ireland is essential to the cause of peace” Senator George Mitchell Chair, NI Peace Talks 1996 - 98 Speaking at a DemocraShe event on January 29, 2003

18. Ireland & UNSCR 1325National Action Plan • Department of Foreign Affairs Anglo-Irish Division – learning lessons Conflict Resolution Unit – sharing lessons • Ireland’s 1325 National Action Plan Evolving & informed National Action Plan NAP Reference Group Civil Society Consultative Group Special Envoy on 1325 • Joint Consortium on Gender-based Violence

19. Ireland’s Special Envoy on 1325Dame Nuala O’Loan

20. Ireland & UNSCR 1325Ireland’s International Contribution • Cross Learning on 1325: N Ireland, Liberia, Timor-Leste Belfast, Dili, Monrovia Lessons, Tools & Models, Recommendations to UN Showcasing Cross Learning Approach • United Nations & International Human Security Network Events: (e.g. Iceland Women Negotiating Peace) Ireland’s Special Envoy 10th Anniversary 1325 in 2010 Rotating SCR Members in 2010 Showcasing Cross Learning Approach

21. 1325 Cross Learning Initiative – Belfast 2009N Ireland – Liberia – Timor-Leste