Community Advocate Mentor Program 2000
IWDC, in partnership with the Ulster People's College in
Belfast, Northern Ireland, facilitated the Community Advocate
Mentor Program (CAMP) in September 2000 with 25 Members of
Congress on the Honorary Committee and 25 lobbyists who served
as mentors. CAMP brought women leaders from Northern Ireland
for a two-week, intensive program to learn the lobbying process.
Designed to develop and strengthen their public policy, advocacy
and lobbying skills, the hands-on, innovative training program
combined theoretical learning and practical experience focusing
on how the legislative, judicial and executive branches of
government interact with both the public and private sectors
to create public policy. The diverse group came from both
rural and urban areas, different religious background, and
ranged in age from 25-59. Their organizations work on issues
such as community arts, trade, textiles, education, manufacturing,
domestic violence, labor and technology.
During the first week of the Program, participants had an
overview of the American system of government. Members of
Congress led sessions on "How to Prepare for Floor Debate"
and "How to Work with Lobbyists" providing an insider's
view into the legislative process. After the sessions, the
women then went to the House gallery to observe members engaged
in floor debate. Lobbyists, with educators, led sessions on
"How to Prepare for Committee Hearings" and "How
to Use Technology to Lobby,' then the women attended Senate
and House committee hearings. Informal luncheons and receptions
hosted by trade associations, labor unions and corporations
provided an opportunity to strengthen networks, exchange information
and share personal experiences with professionals from similar
industries.
Maryland Lieutenant Governor Kathleen
Kennedy Townsend meets with a few of the CAMP - Northern Ireland
delegates during their experience at Annapolis.
Building upon the knowledge gained from the first week, the
second week provided the opportunity to experience the legislative
process first hand. Each woman was partnered with a lobbyist
from a corporation, non-profit organization, labor union or
trade association where she was a "shadow" for two
days to experience the roles and responsibilities of the job.
They attended meetings, strategy sessions, fundraisers and
Congressional committee hearings with their lobbyists where
they witnessed the many different facets of lobbying. After
"shadowing" her lobbyist mentor, each woman then
spent a day with a Member of Congress and attended hearings,
fundraisers, luncheons, special events, speeches, media interviews,
and numerous meetings. One woman even helped her Member of
Congress write a speech for a presentation which focused on
the Good Friday Agreement and the equal participation of women
in politics.
The two-week program was both powerful and transforming for
these women leaders because it was the first time that they
had the opportunity to not only witness a two hundred year-old
democracy in action, but to participate in it as well. Bronagh
Hinds, President of the Ulster People's College and Deputy
Commissioner of the Equality Commission said, "This partnership
has signified that IWDC recognizes the importance of women's
leadership and their contribution to the peace process. More
importantly, CAMP represents a major opportunity to strengthen
their capacity to not only engage effectively with politicians
and civil servants, but to realize the promise of the Agreement
to support the advancement of women in public life."
|
