Permanent Mission of Thailand to the United Nations in New York, in cooperation with the International Peace Institute (IPI), will organise a panel discussion on “Gender Equality and Peaceful Societies: From Evidence to Action” on 12 March 2015 during 13.00 – 14.45 hrs (New York time) at the IPI’s Trygve Lie Center for Peace, Security & Development, 12th floor, 777 United Nations Plaza, New York.

                 The panel discussion will consider the empirical linkage between gender equality and peaceful societies.  It is part of many activities that are being organised in 2015 to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the United Nations Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) on Women, Peace and Security (WPS).  H.E. Mr. Virachai Plasai, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Thailand to the United Nations in New York, will deliver the Welcoming Remarks, whereby the panel discussants will include various experts and practitioners as follows: 1) Ms. Bineta Diop, the African Union Special Envoy for Women, Peace and Security, 2) Ms. Irene Santiago, Lead Convener of Women Seriously, 3) Dr. Valerie Hudson, co-author of “Sex and World Peace” and Professor at Texas A&M University, and 4) Dr. Youssef Mahmoud, Senior Adviser at the IPI.  Dr. Saisuree Chutikul, Thailand’s eminent expert on women and children rights, will also be joining the discussion.  

            The panel discussion will be broadcast live via webcast at http://www.ipinst.org/ and via live tweet at the Twitter account of the IPI at @ipinst and of the Permanent Mission of Thailand at @ThailandUN.  It is Thailand’s hope that the panel discussion will provide an opportunity for productive brainstorming and exchange of views, the outcome of which will be valuable inputs for the upcoming High-Level Review of the UNSCR 1325 in October 2015 and facilitate increased participation and enhanced role of women in peace and security.