Meeting: Follow Us: Women Promoting Peace and Security
(Organised by OSCE Mission to Serbia)
Background
To support the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, the OSCE Mission to Serbia and the OSCE Mission in Kosovo launched in 2012 the “Follow Us” Initiative to bring together prominent women from the two societies. Reflecting the UN SC Resolution 1325 concepts of women as active players in conflict resolution and peace building, the informal meetings within the Initiative involve women parliamentarians, the academia, civil society and media from Belgrade and Pristina.
The “Follow Us” Initiative aims at widening the dialogue between former conflict parties by actively involving leading women politicians and experts. It is guided by the firm belief that there can be no sustainable peace and security in any society if half of its potential – women – is excluded.
The goal of the process is not to negotiate formal agreements. It is not part of the ongoing Belgrade – Pristina talks. It is about establishing direct communication and confidence building between prominent women from both societies, about creating personal and professional networks. In the past four years, these expectations have been fulfilled and prominent women from both sides started to meet, to exchange views and perspectives.
Their impressions, achievements and expectations of the process are depicted in the “Follow Us” documentary showcasing the importance and strength of such an initiative. The film is a beacon for other parts of both societies to follow the good example set by the women participating in the Initiative.
With the promotion of peace and co-operation at the core of its activities, the OSCE has supported this process from the very beginning, as an important contribution to confidence building between the two societies and to creating of a proper communication channel in everyday life.