Фото: t.me/tsikhanouskaya
The third Women’s Political Leadership Academy was held in Prague from Sept. 13 to 18. It was organized by the Office of Democratic Forces of Belarus in the Czech Republic together with the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, with the support of the Czech branch of the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung.
The program brought together 11 Belarusian women from Poland, Lithuania and Germany. It included classes on political science, conflict studies and community building, as well as practical training in advocacy, public speaking, personal branding and protocol.
The participants met with foreign female diplomats and Czech politicians, including former European Commission Vice-President Věra Jourová and former Slovak presidential candidate Magda Vášáryová. They also visited the Czech Foreign Ministry, the German Embassy, the American Center in Prague and the headquarters of Radio Svaboda.
“The Academy also gave participants practical tools for their future work: an understanding of political processes, media skills and personal branding. Meetings with European and Czech politicians and the diplomatic corps gave participants direct contacts that could serve as a foundation for future international cooperation,” the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said.
The Academy is intended for women with political experience who want to participate more actively in public affairs and represent the Belarusian democratic community at the national and international levels. This year, five people competed for each place.