Harvard Center for International Development 220d ago

“If women are not at the peace table, the agreement will fail. To sustain peace, the population must own it—and women must lead in shaping it.” — Binetta Diop, former African Union Special Envoy on Women, Peace & Security At Harvard CID’s Friday Speaker Series, Binetta Diop traced Africa’s paradox—abundant resources alongside persistent conflict—and argued that durable peace depends on inclusive leadership. Drawing on Burundi’s Arusha talks, she recalled how women organized across divides and, with Nelson Mandela’s support, moved from the margins into the process—ultimately seeing 23 women-driven recommendations integrated into the final accord. From Liberia, Diop highlighted Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s resilience and the grassroots women’s movement that forced negotiations and later helped contain Ebola—proof that when women and youth are decision-makers, agreements become more people-centered and sustainable. Her bottom line: turn the Women, Peace & Security agenda from paper to practice—with budgets, monitoring, and shared ownership—so peace is built by those it serves. Co-Organizers: Carr-Ryan Center for Human Rights and Harvard University Center for African Studies Visit their websites: - https://www.hks.harvard.edu/centers/carr-ryan - https://africa.harvard.edu/ Student Group Partners: Harvard W3D: Women in Defense, Diplomacy, and Development, Harvard Chan Africa Health Students Forum, Harvard Graduate School of Education Africa Student Organization (HGSE ASO), Harvard African Law Associaton Visit our website: https://www.hks.harvard.edu/centers/cid Please follow us @HarvardCID on: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/harvardcid Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/harvardcid/ Soundcloud - https://soundcloud.com/harvard-cid Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/harvardcid.bsky.social Stay up to date with CID Events and jobs/opportunities by signing up for our newsletter: https://www.hks.harvard.edu/centers/cid/subscribe #WomenPeaceSecurity #UNSCR1325 #Peacebuilding #Burundi #Liberia #Ubuntu #WomenInLeadership #GenderEquality #Africa #HarvardCID #GlobalDevelopment