The event was co-organized by the Multi-Faith Advisory Council of the United Nations Interagency Task Force on Religion and Sustainable Development, along with the MFAC Working Groups on Gender, and Peace and Security. It was held as part of the commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325.
Jessica Roland, Senior Specialist on Inclusive Peace at the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers (NRTP) – a partner of "Dialogue in Action" – opened the event as Co-Chair of the MFAC Gender Working Group. In her opening remarks, Roland emphasized the critical importance of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda and the Secretary-General's pledge for women's full, equal, and meaningful participation, noting that "women of faith mediators draw upon moral authority, deep community trust, and spiritual wisdom to heal divisions and mediate peace."
At the invitation of the Multi-Faith Advisory Council to the UN Interagency Task Force, Tetiana Kalenychenko, co-founder of "Dialogue in Action," participated in the discussion. She presented the Ukrainian experience in interfaith and intercultural mediation in the context of war.
In her speech, Tetiana spoke about how in Ukraine, women from various religious traditions and communities are gradually creating their own spaces for dialogue, addressing complex and taboo topics, and engaging in peacebuilding processes. This marks a significant shift from 2014, when mediation within religious environments was predominantly a male domain.
Tetiana emphasized the importance of local leadership, collaboration between different mediator groups, and engaging international partners to strengthen the capacity of local initiatives. According to her, the Ukrainian experience can be valuable for other regions of the world, demonstrating how diversity and mutual support contribute to systemic change in peacebuilding.
"Dialogue in Action" expresses its gratitude to the UN Multi-Faith Advisory Council and the event organizers for the opportunity to present the Ukrainian experience and contribute to the global discussion on the role of women in peacebuilding.
