Emirates Diplomatic Academy tackles issues of gender, foreign policy
ABU DHABI: The Emirates Diplomatic academy, ed a, on sunday organised the MENA Diplomacy Dialogue, discussing “The Role of Gender in foreign and security policy ”.
The session reviewed the role of women in achieving security and maintaining peace.
Dr Nawal Al-hosany, Deputy Directorgeneral of EDA, said that despite relentless international calls for women to participate in peace and security efforts, “a huge gender gap remains and today, collectively and with our partners, we aim to address some of these gaps.
“The event was organised as part of the academy’s contribution to the important issue of knowledge transfer, by ensuring that the skills our students acquire include critical thinking, creative analyses and natural practical applications.”
Regarding the gathering, Maqsoud Kr use, executive director of he day ah, said, “We participate today in this workshop to highlight the pivotal role of women in addressing the security and foreign affairs challenges we are facing today.”
The interactive workshop was held at the Academy in conjunction with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC), Hedayah - The International Centre of Excellence for Countering Violent Extremism (CVE), and the Washington Dc-based Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS).
Kruse said, “The role women play in countering violent extremism is an understudied but critical contemporary security issue. Women must be engaged at all levels, as they represent an effective medium against intolerance and extremism, and can act as positive agents of change in their families and communities to prevent radicalisation.
“My highest appreciation goes to the Emirates Diplomatic Academy for organising this critical workshop and for being at the forefront of driving the UAE’S commitment to empower youth to generate practical policy recommendations to the international community on issues related to gender inclusion in the domain of international peace and security.”
For her part, Dr Nawal Al-hosany said, “The UAE is an integral global player in women’ s empowerment and the promotion of tolerance and peace. As a firm supporter of the United Nations and its initiatives to promote gender equality, EDA aims to instil these principles in its future diplomats and to equip them with the skills necessary to address future challenges.”
A panel discussion on ‘Gender Perspectives in International Peace and Security’ dominated the morning session. Panellists included Dominique Mineur, Ambassador of belgium to th eu ae, francisca elizabeth Mendez Escobar, Ambassador of Mexico to the UAE, and Sophie Barbey, Head of Mission at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in the UAE.