Non-Partisan Campaign School for Women Begins Dec. 2

Despite being more than half the population, women make up less than one-fifth of representatives in any elected body in Nova Scotia.

Opportunities to develop campaign skills are part of the solution, and the Nova Scotia Campaign School for Women will help 30 women to develop those skills.

The Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women and Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU) are co-sponsoring the second non-partisan campaign school, to be held at the MSVU campus from Friday, Dec. 2, to Sunday, Dec. 4.

"Political candidates need knowledge and skills to succeed in achieving their goals," said Status of Women Minister Carolyn Bolivar-Getson. "Last year's participants told us they loved the program we offered and they recommended that we do it again."

Participants will take part in two-and-a-half days of hands-on workshops led by experienced journalists, campaign planners, and politicians.

"At MSVU, we are very interested in increasing women's participation in government," said Sheila Brown, president and vice-chancellor. "The future of women in government will depend, in part, on our efforts to encourage and support women to run for elected office. This campaign school has already proven to be a strong start in achieving this aim."

Participants will learn how to plan a successful campaign, practice working with the media, and learn about raising funds and budgeting. They will pull together a campaign team, deliver a short speech and face a media scrum.

The school will accept 30 registrations from women on a first-come, first-served basis. Organizers are looking for participants from rural and urban communities who reflect the diversity of Nova Scotia women.

There is no tuition fee for the campaign school. Transportation and accommodation are the responsibility of participants.

"We need more women in political life in this province," said Sonja Power, chair of the Advisory Council on the Status of Women. "Women are about one-fifth of members of parliament, 14 per cent of MLAs, and one fifth of municipal councillors in this province."