Campaign School for Women Begins May 25

Women who want to run for elected office at any level of government can gain the skills it takes to win at the Nova Scotia Campaign School for Women from May 25 to 27, at Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax.

Carolyn Bolivar-Getson, Minister responsible for the Advisory Council on the Status of Women Act, and Kathryn Laurin, president and vice-chancellor, Mount Saint Vincent University, announced the opening of the Nova Scotia's third non-partisan campaign school for women today, April 25.

Thirty potential political candidates will learn what it takes to win an election. The program includes sessions on pulling together a winning team, fundraising and budgeting. Women who want to run for municipal, provincial or federal office will also learn how to communicate with voters, deliver a speech and talk to the media. In the last provincial election, six 2006 campaign school graduates were nominated and ran for office.

"We need more women, including women from diverse backgrounds, to be involved in government decision-making at the political level," said Ms. Bolivar-Getson. "All levels of government aim to be representative of the people we serve. Women bring talent, skills and a different viewpoint to the process. This initiative gives women the training they need to be successful."

Hands-on workshops led by experienced journalists, campaign planners and politicians will take place over two and a half days. The campaign school demystifies the political process for future candidates because they learn from women who are already in the system and have years of experience.

"At Mount Saint Vincent University, we wholeheartedly support increasing women's participation in politics at all levels," said Prof. Laurin. "We want women's voices to be heard. The past success of this campaign school has shown education and support is an effective way to provide women the knowledge they need to run for and gain access to political office."

Thirty registrations are available to women on a first-come, first-served basis. The school aims to attract women from rural and urban communities, and diverse backgrounds.

There is no tuition fee for the campaign school. Transportation and accommodation are the responsibility of participants. The university is offering affordable accommodation on campus.

Registration forms are available by clicking on the What's New link on the Status of Women website at www.gov.ns.ca/staw or by calling 1-800-565-8662.