RESDAL Opens Registration for International Webinar on Institutional Support and Prevention of Sexual Misconduct in the Defence Sector: The Canadian Experience

The Latin American Security and Defence Network (RESDAL, by its Spanish acronym) has opened registration for the international webinar “Supporting Those Affected by Sexual Misconduct: The Role of the Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre and Lessons Learned. A Practical Experience from Canada”, to be held on March 25 at 9:00 am (EST). Participation is free of charge, with prior registration required. Simultaneous interpretation will be available in Spanish and French. 

The session will focus on Canada’s experience, as the country has undertaken significant institutional review processes within the defence and security sectors in recent years. Supported by public and official reports, these processes have enabled in-depth discussions on practices, structural challenges, and opportunities for reform, as well as the development of specific mechanisms to support affected personnel and strengthen institutional standards of integrity. 

The webinar will feature presentations by Elizabeth Cyr, Director General of Service Delivery at Canada’s Department of National Defence, and Lieutenant-Colonel Kate Pinsent, Senior Military Liaison Officer of the Canadian Armed Forces. The Ambassador of Canada to Uruguay, Carmen Sorger, will also participate in the event. This webinar marks the fourth session in the series “Interregional Conversations from the Global South”, developed within the framework of the project Women in Peace Operations: Supporting Inclusive Environments through Interregional Collaboration and National Engagement. Strong participation in previous editions —with more than 1,000 participants from over 60 countries— underscores the growing demand for horizontal dialogue spaces from the Global South that bring together government representatives, defence and security institutions, international organizations, and civil society. 

The event will also include contributions from Troop and Police Contributing Countries (T/PCCs) from the Global South, which will share national experiences and institutional responses to cases of sexual misconduct. The discussion aims to highlight good practices, strengthen interregional cooperation, and promote safer, more transparent, and inclusive peacekeeping environments. 

Organized by RESDAL, the webinar is supported by Global Affairs Canada through the Elsie Initiative. 

📅 March 25
 🕘 9:00 am (EST)
 🎟️ Free event – registration required
 🔗 Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_PhMd9Cs0SgSHSvcbJDprew#/registration