VOINews,Canada, through the Military Training and Cooperation Program (MTCP), in collaboration with the Indonesian National Armed Forces' (TNI) Peacekeeping Mission Center (PMPP), held a Gender-Responsive Leadership Symposium in Jakarta on Saturday.
The event marked the conclusion of the Integration of Women and Gender Perspectives in the Armed Forces (IWGPAF) course, which took place from December 9 to 13, 2024. The course involved participants from Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
The symposium featured several prominent figures, including Canada's Ambassador to Indonesia and Timor-Leste, H.E. Jess Dutton, and Canada’s Ambassador to ASEAN, H.E. Vicky Singmin. From the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), Colonel Scott Raesler and Lieutenant Colonel Melanie Lake served as keynote speakers.
Attendees included IWGPAF course participants, Heads of Delegation and Defense Attachés from participating countries, as well as representatives from think tanks and civil society organizations.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Jess Dutton emphasized the symposium as a platform for fostering critical discussions on how leaders at all levels can drive organizational cultural transformation. Participants shared best practices and explored concrete steps to advance the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda in Indonesia and the surrounding region.
Ambassador Dutton highlighted the importance of bilateral cooperation between Canada and Indonesia, stating that over 600 Indonesian military personnel have participated in the MTCP since 2008.
"This partnership reflects our commitment to promoting sustainable peace and security through inclusive training and education," he noted.
A key focus of the symposium was Canada’s efforts to strengthen its Indo-Pacific Strategy, launched on November 27, 2022. The strategy includes a funding commitment of CAD 7.6 million (approximately IDR 85.4 billion) over five years to support training on the Women, Peace, and Security agenda.
“This initiative aims to expand and diversify Canada’s military presence in the Indo-Pacific region,” Dutton added.
Lieutenant Colonel Melanie Lake of the CAF emphasized that gender-responsive leadership is not only about increasing women’s representation but also about creating an inclusive environment for all military personnel.
"We need to ensure that gender perspectives are an integral part of decision-making processes at every level of the organization," she asserted.
The symposium also served as a pivotal moment for strengthening the strategic partnership between Indonesia and Canada in the defense sector. Such initiatives underscore the commitment of both nations to fostering a safer and more stable region.
As the IWGPAF course concluded successfully, Lieutenant Colonel Lake reaffirmed Canada’s role as a key partner in promoting peace and gender equality in Southeast Asia.
"This event is hoped to serve as a stepping stone for closer collaboration in advancing the global Women, Peace, and Security agenda," she concluded./OFRA/LIP
