Redefining Pathways to Peace at the South East European Peace Summit

Written by Renate Amesbauer, President of WFWP Austria and Tamara Starr

During October 25 to October 27, the South East Europe Summit was held with around 230 participants from over 40 nations, including men and women of all ages. International President of WFWPI Julia Moon and International Vice President, Sun Jin Moon also attended the event. 

Mrs. Carolyn Handschin, Director, United Nations Office, WFWP International gave the opening remarks. She welcomed the full house on behalf of the organizers, thanking the many who contributed to the preparations, especially WFWP Albania. She also reminded the audience that we are here to advance together, saying “the EU has no monopoly on solutions” and referred to the debates during the WFWP events that brought women Parliamentarians and civil society together in the Albanian Parliament and Kosovo Parliament in 2018 and 2119.

The solidarity among women leaders in the Balkans and their concern about how to promote women’s participation while taking consideration of the outgoing men in office was striking- and something European women leaders seem to be less concerned about. Ms. Handschin explained that the organizers tried very hard to include a male voice in the panel, believing that it is important not just to talk among ourselves and not to repeat the same mistakes attributed to historic male dominance in politics. That speaker, an important male representative of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in the Balkans, the was unfortunately called away to mission just before the conference.  

Julia Moon, International President of Women's Federation for World Peace International also shared remarks during the event.

“Women are those that suffer the most in conflicts and wars, losing husbands and sons, with a possibility of being victim of violence themselves. We are here to find new pathways for peace therefore, it is high time that societies are not led by the logic of power, but by the logic of love and reconciliation! It is through love and forgiveness that wounds can be healed,” she said. “These qualifications need to be used for the wider society: What is most needed now is the ability to embrace, have empathy and compassion that can heal the world!”

Hon. Mrs Ardiana Jaku attended and is currently a Member of the Albanian Parliament. She has served previously as a Vice-Minister of Health and Social Protection and as a Regional Director of Social Service in Lezha city. Before being involved in politics, she had experience of leadership in civil society and has qualifications in management and finance. Mrs. Jaku has degree in Finance, is married and has two children.

Ms. Jaku has always been concerned with social wellbeing, to improve equal chances for men and women! Laws had to be adapted to counteract gender-based discrimination. It is believed that women are the main caretakers in the household and are unfortunately often victims of domestic violence. Hon. Ms. Jaku pleaded for the support of victims and the consequent pursuing of the perpetrators, in order that women and girls are better protected. 61% of work is currently being performed by women, but are not making enough of an income- just 26% of what men usually make. Therefore, Ms. Jaku started a plan of action for entrepreneurship of women.

She also developed the system of early diagnosis and treatment of cancer, primarily concerning breast and uteral cancer. She founded new pediatric hospitals. Hon. Ms. Jaku very energetically stroven for a society of justice and well- being for all! She says “Quotas is not enough, it is quality that is so important,” she said. She also mentioned not to forget that “for every women to step in, a man has to step back! How can we help them to keep their dignity?”

Dr. Céline Guérin completed her PhD in Neurosciences in 2008 in the CHUV, the hospital of Lausanne in Switzerland. Her willingness to explore consciousness and human behaviors brought her to work in a Psychiatric Institute and to experience alternative healing techniques such as meditation, EFT and hypnosis.

 Today she specializes in relationship issues, self-esteem, stress management and sexual abuse and she is working in Sophia Health Centre in Lausanne as a certified Peak States® therapist. This therapy is the accomplishment of 30 years of research led by the ISPS- Institute for Study of Peak States (of Consciousness) and is based on a psychobiological model explaining how our emotions and physical sensations are correlated to biology.

During the conference, Dr. Guerin spoke about the links between our story, epigenetic and behaviors and how trauma therapy techniques might be efficient tools to bring peace within ourselves and, by extension, to increase peace in the world. Dr. Guerin shared how she at a young age -watching the news – always was asking herself: “Why does history always repeat itself, why do people continue to make the same mistake over and over again?” She learned that all you can do, like Mahatma Ghandi has been stating, is to change yourself! Ghandi said, “if everyone would transform into a better person, the world would become a better place.” So  for her it is important for us to understand more about ourselves, and figure out  why traumas are so deeply rooted in us.

As a neuroscientist she found, that heavy trauma is changing our epigenetics- it is changing our DNA. This implies that, if not healed, it will be transmitted to the next generation, and we can inherit from the past. Again, what can be done about that? Dr. Guerin explained three dimensions: Consciousness, a relationship issue and meditation. She assisted in bringing meditation into psychiatric institutions.  She belives that since trauma is an experience with strong emotions, like in the case of (sexual) violence, it needs a therapeutic relationship in order to be healed. Meditation can help to heal the inner wounds.

Dr. Gurin says that 70% of healing takes place once a person can speak about the painful experience, is able to share what she or he has gone through! “Healing for peace is finding peace within ourselves” and with influential people, and when there is love between nations.

Ms. Bettina Kircher, International security Sector Advisor; independent conflict consultant and mediator for Germany also attended the summit. Her strong recommendation is an international security team with a mandate to act. She believes that in a war, women are even more affected than man, being prone to multiple acts of violence. But also boys and men are misused - having to wear a gun, being forced to fight, or boys being forcefully recruited as soldiers at an early age.

Her first mission was to go into the jungle to meet the guerrillas to protect civilians from more killing in the Ivory Coast. “First it took months to explain to the authorities that I want to meet them, they are people, someone has to start talking to them,” she said. It then took weeks to get local permission to enter the area before informal negotiation could start. “I wanted to show – they are human beings! It is possible to negotiate,” she said. For one year now unlawful killing did take place and peace negotiations could now start.

In order to reach successful and sustainable peace and reconciliation (and also income), generating projects can be important. Dr. Kirch believes that lasting peace can only be reached with participation from the field, the people themselves, plus a strong involvement of women. “Let the people find the solution and work for it – together, create a common goal and vision,” she said. 

Prof. Zilka Spahić Šiljak attended the events and holds a PhD in gender studies. “I am a Muslim feminist… Peace is not the mere absence of war or violence; we need a positive Peace: This means the rebuilding and healing of broken relationships! We need a culture of trust and overcoming historical barriers,” she said.

She also believes that women are differently affected by war than men. She mentioned how a woman ́s first interest is the wellbeing and socialization of her family. Through motherhood a high potential of the heart is reached. This is why women can reach out the hearts of people. What has been learned in the family can be extended to the wider society. Men are more the negotiators.

She mentioned how during or after wars- it is often the women who are the first to reach out to the “enemy” and are ready to cross the border again. Women have a high desire for peace, and a peaceful surrounding for the sake of their children. She expressed that the fact is that women often lack confidence and it is important for their confidence to be rebuilt.  She also said that often a woman needs one year of intense training in order to feel, “yes, I can do it, I can start up with something.”

“Women need peace and peace needs women! It needs a women and men equality; that men to be the supporters and allies of women, and of course the other way around,” she said.