SEESAC participates in the Diversity and Inclusion in the Security Sector - Key Leadership Conference at RACVIAC

SEESAC participated in the "Diversity and Inclusion in the Security Sector - Key Leadership Conference" organized by RACVIAC - Centre for Security Cooperation and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, held in Zagreb from 13 – 14 March 2017. The purpose of the conference was to support the promotion of diversity and inclusive management concepts in security sector institutions, including the integration of gender perspectives.

“Actions should not focus only on bringing more women in security sector, but we need to recognize that advocacy by men in leadership positions is the most important factor for fostering gender inclusion and gender equality”, RACVIAC Director Ambassador Haydar Berk said in his opening remarks.

Speaking at a panel discussion entitled “Defence Sector Specific Diversity and Inclusion Insights – Gender Perspective Integration”, SEESAC Coordinator Ms. Bojana Balon shared the results achieved by SEESAC in the integration of the gender perspective, including raising gender awareness in the militaries of the Western Balkans and improving the recruitment and retention of women in military institutions. She emphasized that these achievements were made possible thanks to regional cooperation and the sharing of experiences across South East Europe, which has facilitated the development of practical solutions that are being implemented at the local level with SEESAC’s support. She also highlighted the results of the Regional Network of Gender Trainers, which has not only advanced gender awareness in the Western Balkans but promoted the region as an exporter of security through the delivery of gender training for the Armed Forces in the United Kingdom, Georgia and for representatives of Armed Forces from sub-Saharan Africa.

Participants in the conference included senior level executives from the national security sector institutions, national focal points, members of the diplomatic and academic communities, and representatives of civil society organizations.