University College Chevening Scholarship Visit

4.42.34pm GMT Thu 12th Feb 2009

Women Liberal Democrats hosted a lively afternoon's discussion and debate on gender, social justice and citizenship in the boardroom at Cowley Street on Jan 27th with members of the University College Chevening Scholarship Course. This is the fifth year that the visiting scholars, government officials, UN staff, politicians and civil society activists from Africa, Asia, The Middle East and South America, have come to hear how we do things and challenge our preconceptions.

Organised by Vera Head and chaired by Miranda Whitehead the afternoon began with a thought provoking talk by Sarah Ludford, on her experiences as a woman in the European Parliament and The House of Lords, and her views on the challenges faced by women in these institutions. Paul Spellar Head of the International Office, talked on our International links and Kate Heywood, Debbie Enever and Victoria Marson gave clear explanations of the structure of the party, policy making and campaigning.

An excellent afternoon and once again we are reminded that we are not alone in having to fight for fairer representation for women in so many areas of our lives.