To discuss how to apply a systematic gender equality perspective across the foreign policy agenda, the Permanent Secretariat of the Community of Democracies in cooperation with the Working Group on Women and Democracy is hosting an online event on “Feminist Foreign Policy in 2021.”

The event will feature representatives of the CoD Governing Council Member States presenting the main objectives and priorities of the Feminist Foreign Policy of their countries. The discussion will centre around strategies and mechanisms to promote gender equality, defend human rights and protect fundamental freedoms through a Feminist Foreign Policy, such as considering how each of the country’s geopolitical choices impact young girls and women, and supporting women’s access to positions of responsibility, especially in the country’s diplomatic service and decision-making positions. The conversation will also aim to address a question on why it is important to strengthen coherency between feminist foreign and domestic policies to achieve best results globally.

Tentative Agenda (60 min)

Welcome Remarks by CoD Secretary General Thomas E. Garrett

Opening Remarks by Working Group on Women and Democracy Chair Laima Jureviciene, Ambassador-at-Large, UN, International Organizations and Human Rights Department, MFA of Lithuania

Presentations on Feminist Foreign Policy in 2021 by Governing Council Member States Canada, Mexico and Sweden

• Patricia Pena, Director General, Foreign Policy Bureau, Global Affairs Canada

• Ana Paula Lavalle, Coordinator of International Covenants on Human Rights, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mexico

• Ann Bernes, Ambassador for Gender Equality and Coordinator of Feminist Foreign Policy at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Sweden

Question and Answer session

Closing by the CoD Secretary General

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