Women in Politics

Women in Politics: Acting and Connecting Across Parties

An initiative hosted under the umbrella of Brussels-based

The transatlantic Women in Politics initiative provides a platform for women interested and active in politics to meet – across party lines and nationalities – to share experiences among peers, learn, create systems of support and explore ways to adapt how politics are shaped. The objective is to connect women on what they share – rather than what divides them – and offer a space where women support each other in politics. Every woman interested or active in politics is welcome to join the free virtual coffee/tea time peer-learning events and transatlantic conversations with women in politics.

Background

The Brussels-based initiative was launched in April 2020 and meets bi-monthly. The official kick-off for the transatlantic series took place on September 9, 2020 with Brenda Lawrence, D-Michigan who co-chairs the bi-partisan Women’s Caucus in the U.S. Congress and Susan Brooks, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives and former co-chair of the Women’s Caucus.

This inclusive platform for women – interested in politics or, about to enter politics – wants to offer innovative approaches and new ideas to address some of the policy challenges and how politics are being made. It offers a safe space and supportive network for meaningful conversations within politics. The principles of the platform are fellowship, kindness, generosity and peer-learning.

Informal virtual coffee/tea time events:

    • 15 April 2020: Informal launch of virtual coffee/tea time event series: getting to know each other.
    • 11 June 2020: Informal dialogue on ‘What made you enter politics? What helps you move from crisis and disruption to wellbeing?’
    • 25 September 2020: ‘Running for European Parliament: personal lessons and experiences’ with Lucia Klestincova and Iverna McGowan.
    • 27 November 2020: ‘Running for European Parliament: personal lessons and experiences’ with Federica Sabbati and Alia Papageorgiou
    • 29 January 2021: ‘How the sausage is being made’ with Anna-Kaisa Itkonen
    • 5 March 2021: ‘Mothers in Politics: What does it take?’ with Elvira Kovács, Deniz Agbaba, and Tina De Meeus

Organizers

The German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) strengthens transatlantic cooperation on regional, national, and global challenges and opportunities in the spirit of the Marshall Plan. GMF has a wide transatlantic network that enables exchange, learning and new policy making inputs to ensure a free, prosperous, and peaceful world. At GMF, Corinna Horst is co-leading this initiative, in consultation and coordination with GMF colleagues from the Open European Dialogue, Congressional Relations and the Transatlantic Leadership Program. The platform is being supported by Annika Vollmer, GMF program assistant.

The other founder and co-leader is Daria Nashat, a certified Trauma Awareness and Resilience (STAR) trainer, speaker and facilitator with a focus on resilient leadership for women. Prior to founding her own business, she worked for almost 15 years in international development, peace and community building.

‘Women in Politics’ is currently looking for a new host organisation. We hope to resume our activities in 2022.