Where is this event taking place?

The event is scheduled to take place in the city of Bergen, NOR.

What is the primary focus of this event?

The event focuses on diverse and divergent approaches to peace and gender, specifically within the Nordic region and globally, from the 1980s to the present.

Who is the event intended for?

The event is designed for scholars and practitioners interested in the intersection of peace and gender studies.

Diverse & Divergent Approaches to Peace and Gender in the Nordics and Beyond, 1980s to Present

Name: Diverse & Divergent Approaches to Peace and Gender in the Nordics and Beyond, 1980s to Present
Start: 2026-08-20T00:00:00Z
End: 2026-08-20T00:00:00Z
Location: Bergen

Aug 20, 2026Bergen, NorwayIn-person

Starts in 12 daysRegistration open

This event, hosted in Bergen, NOR, explores the multifaceted relationship between peace and gender, specifically focusing on developments within the Nordic region and their global implications from the 1980s to the present. It aims to foster a nuanced understanding of how gender perspectives have shaped and continue to influence peace processes, both locally and internationally. The event provides a platform for scholars and practitioners to discuss historical trajectories, contemporary challenges, and future directions in this critical field.

Committees & topics

Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)
Achieving Gender Equality through Access to Education in the Digital Age · Addressing the Gendered Impacts of Climate Change

Why it matters

The intersection of peace and gender is a vital area of study, particularly as global conflicts and humanitarian crises continue to disproportionately affect women and marginalized communities. The Nordic countries, often viewed as leaders in gender equality, offer a unique lens through which to examine the evolution of gender-inclusive peacebuilding. By analyzing their experiences since the 1980s, the event contributes to a broader understanding of effective strategies and persistent obstacles in integrating gender perspectives into peace and security agendas.

Understanding the complexities of gender dynamics in peace processes is crucial for developing sustainable solutions. This event highlights how different approaches to gender and peace have emerged and evolved, reflecting diverse cultural, political, and social contexts. The insights gained can inform policy-making and practical interventions in various regions, moving beyond a one-size-fits-all approach to peacebuilding. It underscores the importance of recognizing women not merely as victims, but as active agents and leaders in conflict resolution and post-conflict recovery.

How to prepare

To prepare for this event, participants should delve into the historical context of gender and peace movements, particularly focusing on the period from the 1980s onwards. Familiarity with key theoretical frameworks in gender studies and peace research will be beneficial. Consider exploring the evolution of gender equality policies in Nordic countries and their impact on foreign policy and international development.

Attendees would benefit from reviewing case studies of peace processes where gender considerations played a significant role, or where their absence led to particular outcomes. An understanding of diverse approaches to peacebuilding, ranging from traditional diplomacy to grassroots activism, will also enrich the discussions. Engaging with the concepts of "gender dynamics across cultures" and "hidden stakeholders" from the Model Diplomat lessons will provide a strong foundation for understanding the event's themes.

Country perspectives

Where the most-relevant 4 countries stand on the core issues in play. Click through for the full country profile.

Norway

A key host and subject of study, showcasing its historical and contemporary approaches to integrating gender into peace efforts.

Role in topic

NOR has been a prominent advocate for gender equality in international relations and peacebuilding. Its experiences, both successes and challenges, in implementing gender-sensitive policies and supporting women's participation in peace processes will be a central focus of discussion. The event itself is hosted in Bergen, NOR.

Sweden

A significant Nordic player in feminist foreign policy, offering comparative insights into gender and peace.

Role in topic

SWE's pioneering role in adopting a feminist foreign policy provides a critical comparative perspective to NOR's experiences. Discussions will likely explore how SWE's explicit gender-focused foreign policy has influenced its engagement in peace and conflict, and how this compares to other Nordic approaches.

Finland

Another Nordic nation with distinct contributions to gender and peace, particularly in mediation and conflict prevention.

Role in topic

FIN's contributions to peace mediation and conflict prevention, often with a focus on inclusive processes, offer valuable insights into the practical application of gender perspectives in peace work. Its experiences will contribute to a broader understanding of Nordic approaches.

Iceland

A Nordic country known for its strong stance on gender equality, providing a unique perspective on gender and peace.

Role in topic

ISL, consistently ranked high in global gender equality indices, provides a unique Nordic perspective. Its domestic achievements in gender equality and its international advocacy for women's rights in peace and security contexts will be relevant for discussions on best practices and challenges.

Topics & background

The background behind each topic and the actors that shape it.

Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)

Achieving Gender Equality through Access to Education in the Digital Age

The right of women and girls to education has been a cornerstone of the international gender equality agenda since the 1979 Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and was reinforced by the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which identified education and training of women as one of twelve critical areas of concern. Decades of progress have narrowed gender gaps in primary enrollment in most regions, yet UNESCO data show that 122 million girls remain out of school globally and that disparities widen at secondary and tertiary levels, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and conflict-affected states. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed and accelerated a parallel divide: when classrooms shifted online, girls were disproportionately left behind by gaps in device access, connectivity, digital literacy, and household expectations around unpaid care work. The digital age has reframed the education question around not only whether girls reach the classroom but whether they acquire the skills to participate in increasingly digital labor markets. ITU figures indicate that roughly 244 million fewer women than men use the internet worldwide, and women remain underrepresented in STEM fields and in the AI workforce. CSW68 in 2024 took 'innovation and technological change, and education in the digital age' as its priority theme, producing Agreed Conclusions that called on states to expand affordable connectivity, combat technology-facilitated gender-based violence, and integrate gender perspectives into national digital and AI strategies. Implementation, however, has been uneven, and debates continue over financing, the role of private-sector platforms, and how to protect girls online without curtailing their access.

Key players

Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)

Addressing the Gendered Impacts of Climate Change

The recognition that climate change affects women and men differently emerged gradually within the UN system, gaining formal traction with the 2001 COP7 decision on improving women's participation in UNFCCC bodies and the 2014 Lima Work Programme on Gender, later succeeded by the Gender Action Plan adopted in 2017 and enhanced in 2019. CSW66 in 2022 took 'achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls in the context of climate change' as its priority theme, producing Agreed Conclusions that linked disaster risk reduction, land rights, and women's leadership in climate decision-making. The underlying evidence base, drawn from UN Women, IPCC, and FAO reporting, documents that women and girls — particularly in rural and Indigenous communities — face higher mortality in climate-driven disasters, bear disproportionate water and fuel collection burdens as resources degrade, and are overrepresented among the displaced. Despite this normative architecture, gender mainstreaming in climate finance remains weak. OECD tracking suggests only a small share of bilateral climate aid has gender equality as a principal objective, and women remain underrepresented in national delegations to COPs and on the boards of the Green Climate Fund and Adaptation Fund. Current debates focus on operationalizing the new Loss and Damage Fund agreed at COP28 with gender-responsive criteria, expanding women's land tenure as an adaptation strategy, scaling support for women-led climate enterprises, and confronting the rise in gender-based violence documented in post-disaster and climate-displacement settings. Nordic states have pushed for explicit feminist climate financing, while many Global South delegations frame the issue through the lens of common but differentiated responsibilities and historical emissions.

Key players