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Women, Peace, and Security Symposium

For many years, the U.S. Navy has emphasized gender equality, and has hosted the women’s symposium as a component of various exercises and programs. Per the Department of Defense, the Women, Peace and Security initiative drives home a point that American military planners instinctively know: empowering women is the key to a more peaceful world.

April 27, 2023 – U.S. Naval War College Hosts Women, Peace, and Security Symposium
NEWPORT, RI – U.S. Naval War College (NWC) hosts its 9th annual Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Symposium, 26 – 28 April 2023. This year’s theme “WPS in a Fragile World: Perspectives on Warfighting, Crisis Management, and Post-Conflict Transitions” brought together U.S. and international scholars, researchers, civilian and military practitioners, and leaders to share their knowledge centered around the gender perspective. Established in 1884, U.S. Naval War College (NWC) informs today’s decision-makers and educates tomorrow’s leaders by providing educational experiences and learning opportunities that develop their ability to anticipate and prepare strategically for the future, strengthen the foundations of peace, and create a decisive warfighting advantage. (Navy photo by Kristopher Burris/Released)

About Women, Peace, and Security Symposium

The Women, Peace and Security brings together U.S. and international scholars, researchers, civilian and military practitioners, and leaders to share their knowledge on warfighting and conflict resolution focusing on the gender perspective. The aim is to better understand our complex and dynamic security environment by examining women’s influence and experience as stakeholders and catalysts of change – alongside men.

Upcoming Event

Upcoming conferences will hold discussions and exchange ideas, philosophies, and practical experience about a variety of subjects related to the 2011 National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security.

Most Recent Events

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Swanee Hunt, the Eleanor Roosevelt lecturer in public policy at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, delivers her lecture “Inclusive Security: Vital or Vacuous?” at the U.S. Naval War College.

Women, Peace, and Security Conference Series: 1st Conference

Friday, March 30, 2012
8:00 a.m.
U.S. Naval War College, 686 Cushing Road, Newport, RI 02841

The purpose of this conference was to hold discussions and exchange ideas, philosophies and practical experience about a variety of subjects related to the December 19, 2011 National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security (NAP).

Retired Ambassador Mary Carlin Yates addresses participants of the Women, Peace and Security conference in Mahan Hall at U.S. Naval War College (NWC) in Newport, R.I.

Women, Peace, and Security Conference Series: 2nd Conference

Thursday, December 12, 2013
8:00 a.m.
U.S. Naval War College, 686 Cushing Road, Newport, RI 02841

The purpose of the 2013 conference was to hold discussions related to the implementation and sustainment of the December 19, 2011 NAP on Women, Peace, and Security.

Adm. Michelle Howard, Vice Chief of Naval Operations, provides keynote speaker remarks during the 2015 Women, Peace and Security conference at U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.

Women, Peace, and Security Conference Series: 3rd Conference

Friday, April 17, 2015
8:00 a.m.
U.S. Naval War College, 686 Cushing Road, Newport, RI 02841

Seven panels convened over a two-day period to address Department of Defense Topics and Updates, Soft Power, security and protection studies, media and communication, international case studies and geographic Combatant Command issues.

Rear Adm. Margaret Grun Kibben, chief of chaplains of the Navy, participates in the 2016 Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Conference at NWC in Newport, Rhode Island.

Women, Peace, and Security Conference Series: 4th Conference

Wednesday, May 18, 2016
8:00 a.m.
U.S. Naval War College, 686 Cushing Road, Newport, RI 02841

The seven panels convened over a two-day period to discuss Women Peace and Security and its ties to several arenas with special emphasis upon food security and religion.

Leymah Gbowee, 2011 Nobel Peace laureate and Liberian peace activist, social worker and women’s right activist, speaks during an evening lecture held at U.S. Naval War College (NWC) as part of the 2017 Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Conference at NWC in Newport, Rhode Island.

Nobel laureate speaks at Naval War College Women, Peace and Security Conference

Friday, August 11, 2017
8:00 a.m.
U.S. Naval War College, 686 Cushing Road, Newport, RI 02841

2011 Nobel Peace Prize recipient Leymah Gbowee, who led a women’s peace movement that helped bring an end to the Second Liberian Civil War in 2003, was the featured speaker at U.S. Naval War College’s Woman, Peace and Security Conference in Newport, Rhode Island last week.