His Excellency Mr John Michell Australian High Commissioner is meeting with the students of the Democratic Institute workshop at the Foundation for National Development at 6:30 pm on Thursday, September 27th. The Democratic Institute consists of a series of workshops conducted by the Department of Gender Affairs to increase the participation of Federation women and youth in the political process. The Australian High Commission in Port of Spain made the Democratic Institute possible by funding through its discretionary aid program. The public is invited to attend this special workshop session.
The Democratic Institute launched on June 14th and will continue for 14 sessions conducted weekly, concluding with graduation on October 11th. The sessions help prepare the 20-25 Democratic Institute participants to run for elected office, manage political campaigns and/or work as political organizers. Local experts present on topics including Transformational Leadership, Communication, Working with the Media, the Federations Constitution, Surmounting Challenges to Leadership, Managing a Campaign, and understanding International Instruments. The Department of Gender Affairs advertised for and sought out participants with leadership potential and an interest in a career in politics.
The Federation currently has no women elected to political office, which places the country at the bottom of the international ratings for United Nations members in gender equality in politics. Other Caribbean countries have increased the numbers of women elected to political office by conducting fora similar to the Democratic Institute model.
