A
woman's voice.
From IRISH NEWS November 1st, 2000
Although it was an 8 a. m. start every morning and an intense schedule,
there were lighter moments and if fighting your corner and knowing the route
is a prerequisite to success in politics, these budding lobbyists passed
first base on the day Bono was rumoured to be at Capitol Hill.
"We knew he was around but we were told there was no way we'd get to see him as he was about to speak at a conference on Third World debt." "In fact we were on our way to do some shopping when we heard there was to be a press conference so we decided to assert ourselves!" Kate McEvoy, Confederation of Community groups in Newry, wasn't joking.
"Sure enough Bono was there so I went over to him . He was charming and we all had a chat and took some photographs, proof that if you don't go for it you don't get it!" The value of the mentoring programme for Kate has been to gain confidence to broaden to work she and her colleagues are doing already.
"We lobbying here on a local level but now I feel equipped to become evenmore proactive and regional." "I have 22 organisation which will support our work by helping get information out to the public; it's setting up strategies like this and gaining access which is so important and now I feel we can do it more effectively thanks to what we learned on the trip."
"The worst thing in the world is for someone to feel they have no voice and no control, I want to make sure that changes." "The programme has assisted women to acquire new skills and exercise them with confidence. Bronagh Hinds feels it has contributed to promoting, in the words of the Agreement, 'the advancement of women in public life'."
"It is important that the elements of the Agreement on 'the full and equal political participation of women and the achievement of women in public life' are fully reflected in the approach of the executive, the assembly and the Civic Forum to their work. The office of the first and the deputy first minister holds responsibility for the equality agenda in government and women look forward to seeing leadership on this matter from them." |
