Report from the conference “25 Years of UN Resolution 1325: Women, Peace, and Security—Achievements, Challenges, and Prospects”

On December 4, 2025, a conference was held in the Prof. Jan Baszkiewicz Auditorium at the Faculty of Political Science and International Studies of the University of Warsaw to mark the 25thanniversary of the adoption of the landmark UN Security Council Resolution No. 1325 on the Women, Peace, and Security agenda, which emphasizes the key role of women in conflict prevention, peace processes, and postwar reconstruction. The event brought together representatives from the worlds of diplomacy, law enforcement, academia, and non-governmental organizations. The initiative was spearheaded by Retired Senior Inspector Dr. Kornela Oblińska (Faculty of Political Science and International Studies, University of Warsaw; WIIS Poland).

Main organizer:

• Department of Political Science and International Studies, University of Warsaw,

Co-organizers

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• WIIS Poland (Women in International Security).

Honorary sponsorships:

• Katarzyna Kotula, Secretary of State at the Chancellery of the Prime Minister,
• The Casimir Pulaski Foundation,
• European Academy of Diplomacy (EAD),
• The GROM Strength and Honor Foundation and

Media Sponsorship

• Armed Poland.

The conference was officially opened by the Vice Rector for Student Affairs and Educational Quality, Dr. hab. Maciej Raś, Prof. , the Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences, Philosophy, and Social Sciences, Dr. Katarzyna Kołodziejczyk , Prof. and Dr. Kornela Oblińska (Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Warsaw; WIIS Poland). The opening remarks were delivered by Katarzyna Kotula, Secretary of State, Office of the Prime Minister, and the introductory presentation was given by Agata Duda-Płonka, Director of the Department of Global Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The program consisted of five panel discussions:

Panel I: Women’s Role in Building Social Resilience
Moderator: Prof. Katarzyna Pisarska (SGH).
Participants:

• Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka (Office of the Prime Minister),
• Prof. Jacek Czaputowicz (Faculty of Political Science and Media Studies, University of Warsaw),
• Katarzyna Kotula (Office of the Prime Minister),
• Ambassador Urszula Gacek (Team Europe).

Panel II: Women in Diplomacy for Peace and Security: The UN “Women, Peace, and Security” Agenda in Practice
Moderator: Karolina Krupa (Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
Participants:

• Ambassador Dominika Krois (representative of the UN Secretariat and Director of the UN Office in Belgrade),
• Ambassador Beata Pęksa (EU Ambassador to Turkmenistan),
• Ambassador Piotr Łukasiewicz, Ph.D., Eng. (Chargé d’affaires a.i. in Ukraine).

Panel III: Measures to Support Women—Necessary Organizational and Legal Solutions
Moderator: Joanna Burnos (LEADERIS Institute, Team Europe Direct).
Participants:

• Agnieszka Petelicka (GROM Foundation),
• Irena Dawid-Olczyk (La Strada Foundation),
• Prof. Weronika Jakubczak (Fire Service Academy),
• Mariusz Mandzijewicz (Orlen S.A.).

Panel IV: Implementation of Resolution 1325—Engagement in Peacekeeping Missions to Build Lasting Peace
Moderator: Retired Inspector Dr. Kornela Oblińska (Faculty of Political Science and International Relations, University of Warsaw; WIIS Poland).
Participants:

• Col. Katarzyna Rzadkowska, Ph.D. (Center for Veterans of Overseas Operations),
• Col. (Res.) Andrzej Kruczyński (GROM),
• Dr. Monika Wysocka (Naval Academy),
• Rita Kameduła-Tomaszewska (Office of the Prime Minister).

Panel V: Mentoring Programs—Building Women’s Leadership in Practice
Moderator: Ada Rogalewicz-Żylińska (WIIS Poland).
Participants:

• Wiktoria Barteczko (a graduate of international relations and European studies at
• (University of Warsaw and Jagiellonian University),
• Rita Żuchowska (a graduate of social policy and international economic relations at the Poznań University of Economics, co-founder of the #dziewczynynawybory association, and a member of the Young Diplomats Forum),
• Marharyta Blyzniuk (a graduate of the University of Warsaw’s international relations program and project coordinator in the Political Program of the Zbigniew Pełczyński School of Leadership).

The event at the Faculty of Political Science and International Relations went beyond the scope of a standard academic debate, offering an interdisciplinary overview of the challenges facing the “Women, Peace, and Security” agenda. The presence of practitioners—ranging from leading female diplomats and military commanders to representatives of the government and the third sector—allowed for a comparison of the principles of Resolution 1325 with the realities of contemporary armed conflicts and hybrid challenges. The conference not only summarized the document’s quarter-century in effect but, above all, outlined specific courses of action for the future, emphasizing the need for systemic support for women leaders in the security sector and for building national resilience based on diversity.