“Strengthening Democracy and Governance: Women and Political Power.”
Salzburg Seminar
Report by Amanda Sloat
Sharing a cup of coffee with an Iraqi women who said the lack of security prevents her from conducting research on women’s situation throughout the country; listening to an Israeli woman speak about efforts to unite women from different communities; hearing women politicians from Ghana, small town America, and India share campaign strategies; and dancing in a ‘beerstube’ with young people from around the world to music alternating between Abba and bhangra. From 26 April-3 May 2004 I had the pleasure and privilege of participating in a Salzburg Seminar on “Strengthening Democracy and Governance: Women and Political Power.” 67 men and women from 40 countries came together to hold inspiring and informative discussions about challenges facing women around the world, to share strategies to increase women’s participation, and to discuss what men can do to facilitate women’s advancement.
Founded in 1947, the Salzburg Seminar () is the leading forum for promoting global dialogue among future leaders from government, business, academia, and the independent sector on issues of pressing international concern. Weeklong seminars are held in a beautiful 18th century rococo palace, Schloss Leopoldskron, best known as the site where the Sound of Music was filmed. Respites from intensive dialogue came during walks along the lake, a tour of charming Salzburg, an evening concert by musicians from the local Mozarteum, and a special showing of Sound of Music.
General discussions were stimulated by daily presentations from the seminar’s ‘faculty’ members. Kim Campbell, the first and only woman Prime Minister of Canada, encouraged women leaders to overcome gender schemas (or stereotypes). Monica McWilliams, a former MLA in the Northern Ireland Assembly for the Women’s Coalition, addressed the sources of political power. John Mathiason, former head of the UN’s Centre for the Advancement of Women, gave an overview of international norms (e.g., Beijing). Examinations of best practice came from Laura Guzman Stein, Director of the Women’s Studies Center at the University of Costa Rica, who discussed Latin America, and Anne Gahongayire, Secretary General in the Rwandan Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion, who spoke movingly about women’s efforts to rebuild Rwanda following the genocide. Melane Verveer, Chair of the Board of Directors for the Vital Voices Global Partnership, encouraged participants to develop priorities and strategies to increase women’s political participation.
Smaller panel discussions drew from the diverse experience of participants. Topics included “What works and what doesn’t,” “Cross-cultural experiences,” and “Challenges of campaigning.” In these sessions participants discussed the situation of women in Iraq, listened to a young Costa Rican diplomat deliberate about running for office, heard how the Koran has been misinterpreted in Muslim countries like Pakistan, and encouraged the ‘non-women’ to explain how society can become more favourable to active women’s involvement.
The last two days were devoted to developing strategies in working groups on specialist topics, which included “Growing young leaders,” “Role of women in post-conflict societies,” “Using the media effectively,” “Role of NGOs in promoting women,” and “Overcoming institutional barriers.”