About NIWI

Click here to download
NIWI overview

Genesis

The historic peace process laid the foundation for a new future in Northern Ireland. The subsequent passage in June 1998 of the referendum in favor of the Good Friday Agreement demonstrated the broadbased support for peace in Northern Ireland.

NIWI was created to empower women in Northern Ireland. The Good Friday Agreement may have mandated "the advancement of women in public life," however we believe that women can only experience full and equal political participation in Northern Ireland by developing requisite political skills.

NIWI's extensive research revealed a need for an integrated, multifaceted training program to encourage women to enter the political arena. NIWI's training has an issues orientation, focusing on policy, politics and media.

Mission

Strictly non-partisan, NIWI works with all political parties to train women who support the equality agenda as set forth in the Good Friday Agreement. Through international fundraising efforts, women have access to the financial and political resources needed for them to advance creative solutions to the complex social and economic problems facing Northern Ireland today.

NIWI is committed to developing linkages among business, community organizations and political parties. The development of these linkages will help sustain peace and accelerate economic growth.

NIWI's long-term goal is to refine a women's leadership training program that could be introduced to emerging democracies and in other areas of conflict around the world.

The Program

In conjunction with the Institute of Governance at Queen's University, NIWI provides comprehensive training for potential women leaders. The Program is designed to:

encourage critical thinking, analytic skills and the ability to articulate and communicate complex ideas.
equip course participants with the range of knowledge and skills necessary to participate effectively in political life.
encourage women to assume a more prominent role in party leadership and policy development.
encourage cross-party working relationships and cooperation.

NIWI trained 50% of women candidates in the 2005 General Election; 42% of women elected to local Councils in 2005; and 50% of women elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2003.