This event organized at UNESCO Headquarters on the initiative of Ms Suzanne Mubarak and Ms Marianna V. Vardinoyannis, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, aims to "highlight the important role that women play in support of peace and the need for them to be recognized as full partners in the processes of decision-making and political negotiations"

For Suzanne Mubarak, who co-chaired the opening ceremony, this seminar has a particular importance, since "Today more than ever, it is necessary to advocate more important roles for women in the promoting the values of peace and tolerance at the heart of our societies. Since the obstacles to peace are the results of human decisions and actions and not of pure coincidence, they can be overcome by the vital efforts of individuals."

In September 2002, Suzanne Mubarak brought together in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, various celebrities, peace advocates and representatives of international non-governmental organizations, the United Nations and UN System organizations, agencies and programmes in order to reflect on and recommend concrete actions that women can undertake to support peace. This conference, entitled "Women For Peace, Dialogue for Action", gave birth to the Women's Movement for Peace.

The Director-General noted that "The consequences of armed conflict affect women and girls, in particular, the most socially vulnerable" while these "women and girls, in conflict zones, often assume the entire responsibility of the family". He stressed that "UNESCO is working actively to promote women's actions in favour of conflict resolution and gender equality", these being priorities that are set out in the Organization's Medium-Term Strategy for 2002-2007. UNESCO has also been designated by the General Assembly of the United Nations as lead agency for coordinating the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence (2001 -2010).

After speeches by Ms Suzanne Mubarak, Ms Marianna V. Vardinoyannis and Mr Ko?chiro Matsuura, Mr Boutros Boutros-Ghali, former Secretary-General of the United Nations, spoke on the theme of "Peace-keeping and the role of women".