WPON Executive Committee at the International Association of Women Police Annual Meeting

Within the scope of capacity development and networking activities undertaken under the UNDP/SEESAC project "Support for Gender Mainstreaming in Policing Practice in SEE" project, the Executive Committee of the Women Police Officers Network in South East Europe (WPON) is attending the Annual Conference of the International Association of Women Police (IAWP). The conference is taking place in Lexington, Kentucky from 21 to 25 August 2011. Attendance at the conference will enhance the capacity of WPON Executive Committee through both practical training and global networking opportunities Participation at this imporant event of WPON Chair, Ms. Jelena Vasiljevic (Ministry of Interior of Republic of Serbia), WPON Deputy Chair, Ms. Lidija Pentavec (Ministry of Interior of Republic of Croatia) and WPON Chair Elect, Ms. Sanja Sumonja (BiH -Republika Srpska) is supported by UNDP/SEESAC.

The International Association of Women Police (IAWP) was established in 1915 and currently has a membership in excess of 2400 police officers and other law enforcement professionals from more than 45 countries worldwide. The Mission of the IAWP is to „strengthen, unite and raise the profile of women in criminal justice internationally.” The Annual Conference includes experts from all fields of criminal justice coming together to share their views and disseminate information. Meeting for five days in a formal classroom setting, women and men from around the world assemble to broaden their knowledge through workshops and lectures. The informal exchange of information and ideas is often as enlightening as the formal sessions.