-Ending sexual violence is not an unrealistic dream
One-hundred forty experts, activists, scientists and decision-makers from 17 different countries gathered for the annual Missing Peace Symposium, February 14-16 at the United States Institute of Peace. This year, sexual violence was the main topic. The participants got to listen to panel debates about sexual violence, survivor’s stories and attackers’ motivation.
Discussions between the panel and the audience were an important part of the program and sometimes led to heated discussions, particularly concerning the motivation behind sexual violence in conflict areas, and the roles of boys and men, both as victims and as perpetrators of violence.
The conference was sponsored by the US Institute of Peace (USIP) and Peace Research Institute Oslo(PRIO). On the opening day, Deputy Chief of Mission Lajla Jakhelln gave opening remarks on behalf of the Norwegian Ambassador. Kristian Harpviken, Inger Skjelsbæk and Gina Torry of PRIO also spoke and participated in several debate panels.
The UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Zainab Hawa Bangura, received very positive feedback when she said that “Ending sexual violence is not an unrealistic dream. This is one of those things really worth fighting for.”
For more information about The Missing Peace Symposium 2013 and to listen to recordings from the debates, visit this website: http://www.usip.org/events/the-missing-peace-symposium-2013