The Council, in partnership with the Communities of Democracy, will host a panel discussion on the essential role played by women in the democracy-building process. The panel will consist of Council and Communities of Democracies members, representatives from non-governmental organizations, ministers of foreign affairs and other portfolios, and the media.

The goal is to encourage participants to reflect on the essential role women play in the development and support of democratic systems.  Confirmed participants include Dalia Grybauskait?, President, Lithuania; Tarja Halonen, President, Finland; Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President, Liberia; Emily de Jongh-Elhage, Prime Minister, Netherlands Antilles; and Radoslaw Sikorski, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Poland.  The event will be moderated by Margot Wallström, Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, United Nations.