PROGRAMME

Women in Politics and the Northern Ireland Assembly
The Long Gallery, Parliament Buildings
Thursday 23 October 2014

10.15 Registration – Tea/Coffee10.45 Welcome – setting the scene Stephen Moutray MLA, AERC Chairperson

10.50 Opening Remarks - Junior Minister’s Jennifer McCann MLA and Jonathan Bell MLA

11.00 Presentation 1
What kind of initiatives, including ‘positive actions’ should the NI Assembly consider?  - Introduced by Evelyn Collins CBE, Equality Commission for Northern Ireland 

11.05 Roundtable Discussions

11.25 Presentation 2
What could Political Parties do to strengthen their policies on women and politics? – introduced by Fidelma Ashe, Senior Lecturer in Politics, University of Ulster 

11.30         Roundtable Discussions

11.50 Presentation 3
What is the Government doing to encourage more women into politics and decision making? – Introduced by Patricia Carey, Gender Unit, OFMdFM 

11.55 Roundtable Discussions

12.15 Presentation 4
What did the Local Government Staff Commission for NI do for women in Local Councils? – Introduced by Diana Stewart, Senior Advisor, Local Government Staff Commission for NI) 

12.20 Roundtable Discussions

12.40 Closing Remarks 

• Judith Cochrane MLA
• Paula Bradley MLA
• Karen McKevitt MLA
• Megan Fearon MLA
• Sandra Overend MLA

13.00 Lunch