The MWMN mediator, Magda Zenon, went to South Africa to participate to the 5th Gertrude Shope Annual Dialogue Forum (GSADF) on Conflict Resolution and Peacemaking. The event took place from 6 to 8 August 2019 with the theme of Localising UNSC Resolution 1325.
The GSADF is a partnership programme with the Norwegian Embassy in Pretoria and its two-and-a half day forum brings together women to discuss and share experiences on issues related to peace and security. The GSADF program is designed to consider the Global, Regional and National dimensions of the WPS Agenda. During the GSADF, presenters from Femwise, the Nordic Women’s Mediation Network, the Mediterranean Women Mediators Network and the Commonwealth Mediation Network spoke during a session entitled “Global Trends and Experiences in Women, Peace and Security (WPS).”
The GSADF prides itself on being unique in the world, as it encompasses all Mediation Tracks (government, civil society and local) and is preceded by a five day Capacity Building Programme on Conflict Resolution, Negotiation and Mediation for South African women from local communities. The GSADF has also repositioned and launched itself as the Getrude Shope Peace Mediation Network to enhance South Africa’s coordinated approach to the WPS Agenda and ensure that the GSPMN is not just an annual event, but a structure that supports South African and African women mediators. It will then ensure that it becomes a member of the Global Women Mediators Network and thus be in a position to facilitate seamless collaboration with other international women networks for deployment in both international and domestic peace processes.
