International Program
‘Women in Art for Peace’ 2017-2018
The international art and peace program ‘Women in Art for Peace’ is organised by Europe’s Art in partnership with the International Peace Institute and Artwed. ‘Women in Art for Peace’ will raise awareness about the importance of women’s participation in peacebuilding and peacekeeping through a series of:
- Art exhibitions of the leading contemporary and emerging female artists from countries which are or have been involved in conflicts and countries which promote peace worldwide. Ehibitions will be organised in Manama (Venue - International Peace Institute), Dubai, Vienna (Venue -International Peace Institute), Geneva, Brussels (Venue - European Parliament), Bucharest (Venue - National Museum of Contemporary Art) and New York (Venue - International Peace Institute).
- Panel discussions between regional peace advocates, experts and the artists.
- Outreach campaigns led by the International Peace Institute and regional NGOs.
Background and Rationale :
Between 1992 and 2011, 4% of signatories to peace agreements and less than 10% of negotiators at peace tables were women. As countries in conflict in the MENA and other regions strive to achieve peace and stability, it is essential that women, often excluded from peace and reconciliation processes, are empowered to build and sustain peace in their communities. New evidence from the Geneva Graduate Institute’s Broadening Participation Project shows that when women's groups were able to effectively influence the process, a peace agreement was almost always reached and the agreement was more likely to be implemented. The international community has recognized that women’s participation is vital to achieving and sustaining peace. Women are proven agents of change and should be empowered to do more. In 2000, the UN Security Council passed the historic resolution 1325 on women, peace and security which calls for women to participate in peacebuilding. In order for women to play a more meaningful role in conflict prevention, resolution and in post-war peacebuilding, they need to be empowered as social, cultural and political leaders.
The Women in Art for Peace Initiative is designed to encourage female artists to participate in dialogue and exchange to promote peace and security.
www.womeninartforpeace.org
contact for visiting the Strasbourg exhibition: roxana.chihai@echr.coe.int