PRIO invites you to a conference organized in co-operation with The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The conference is part of the Norwegian government’s effort to increase the civilian element of its contribution to stability in Afghanistan: reaching out to the population, increasing security for civilians, and providing basic needs such as health services and education. With this in mind the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has asked PRIO to organize a conference on the particular needs of Afghan women and how best to meet these needs.

Our aim is to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and information on policy, programs and projects among Nordic and Baltic decision makers in the relevant ministries, representatives of international organizations and those Norwegian organizations involved in practical work in Afghanistan. We have also invited a number of Afghan guests as speakers and participants. Our focus will be on peacebuilding as this concept is understood in a variety of national and international documents. The conference program reflects our recognition of the fact that peacebuilding for Afghan women must rest on a comprehensive and inclusive understanding of that term. The conference is also a contribution to the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security and the Norwegian Government’s Action Plan for the Implementation of SCR 1325 of 2006.

Our conference is aimed at those working on Afghanistan in general as well as gender specialists concerned with developments in Afghanistan in particular.

Please direct your registration and/or any inquiries to Ingeborg Haavardsson on ingeborg@prio.no.