International Symposium Democracy, Stability and Peace; is the Future Feminine?

• Date: 02 May
• label.tijd 17:00 - 20:00
• Location: Leiden University

War is raging around our planet, and radical ideologies, both on the far-right and far-left, are spreading at an alarming rate. Autocratic leaders use aggressive, masculine rhetorics and methods to dominate political agendas. Conservative ideas driven by toxic masculinity are (re-)surging, while the solutions proposed to counter these are equally rooted in masculine approaches.
Innovative, bold solutions are called for – now more than ever. In this context, people across the political spectrum have grown increasingly concerned. They are now coming together to strengthen social resilience and cohesion and seek innovative feminine solutions to complement existing strategies. What would happen if democratic movements in autocracies were actively supported instead of being left to struggle on their own? What if women across nation engaged in meaningful dialogue with the aim to bring forward peaceful means that truly work? How would civic communities and militaries transform if they would truly embrace progressive gender policies?
In order to find answers to these questions, a coalition of female-led and/or feminist peace organizations are organizing an international symposium to bring diverse communities and groups together – in order to facilitate and encourage constructive dialogue, non-polarized perspective-taking, and mutual understanding. Participants will engage in insightful panel discussions on the topics of democracy, stability and peace with leading experts in these fields, and an interactive session structured to foster connectivity and unity.
The organizers of the Symposium are honoured to host the following renowned speakers:
Olga Karach (Belarus), Nobel Peace Prize Nominee (2024), Director of NGO Our House
Marharyta Vorykhava (Belarus), Youth Representative and Advisor to Ms Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya (Leader of the Democratic Opposition Forces in Belarus)
LtGen ret. Kees Matthijssen (NL), MINUSMA Force Commander in Mali (2022-2023)
Cdr Caecilia Johanna van Peski (NL), Royal Netherlands Navy, UN Senior Women Talent Pipeline
The Symposium will be moderated by Erik van der Zanden MA, student Master Military Strategic Studies at the Netherlands Defence Academy (NLDA).

Programme
17.00-17.30 Walk-in
17.30-17.45 Opening
17.45-18:45 Panel
18:45-19.00 Break
19.00-19.45 Interactive Programme
19.45-20.00 Closure

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