Standfirst:
Inclusion is not charity—it’s strategy. Diverse Track II rooms see risks earlier, generate better options, and build legitimacy that top-level negotiators eventually need.

The normative baseline

• UN Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda (UNSCR 1325 and successors) calls for meaningful participation of women in peace efforts.

• Good-practice syntheses (Berghof, USIP) link inclusive design to durability of agreements and community acceptance.

Practical inclusion models

1. Core + constellation
   Keep the core group small for efficiency; attach a rotating constellation of women’s groups, youth leaders, faith, business, and local service providers for themed sessions.

2. Issue-specific seats
   Reserve slots tied to agenda items (e.g., detainees, education, health access) and invite those doing the work on the ground.

3. Diaspora bridges
   Use diaspora professionals to connect technical know-how and financing—paired with conflict-sensitivity training to avoid elite capture.

4. Safeguarding & care
   Trauma-informed facilitation, secure travel/logistics, interpreters briefed on confidentiality; establish a safeguarding focal point.

Measuring “meaningful” participation

• Before: co-design agenda items; review the neutral brief for blind spots.

• During: speak-time tracking; ensure all perspectives are heard; document dissent.

• After: check whether inclusive inputs survived into the non-paper and pilot design.

Common pitfalls and fixes

• Tokenism → tie seats to agenda themes and decision-points.

• Security risks → strict confidentiality protocols; informed consent on public exposure.

• Capacity gaps → pre-briefs, mentorship pairs, and micro-grants for participants’ prep time.

Editor’s note (opinion): A Track II that cannot defend its participant choices in public (if ever revealed) is poorly designed. Inclusion is insurance.

References 

• UNSCR 1325 and the WPS agenda;

• Berghof Handbook for Conflict Transformation (inclusion & legitimacy);

• USIP resources on inclusive peace processes;

• Inclusive Peace & Transition Initiative (IPTI) evidence on women’s participation and process quality.