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MEET THE Team

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TEAMWORK

“Building on the good work that Politics Plus has delivered over the last five years we are delighted to be expanding the team in partnership with Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA) and Irish Rural Link and supported by the European Union’s PEACE IV Programme, managed by the SEUPB,” explained Joanne Jennings, Politics Plus Head of Programmes. “Together we will deliver The Next Chapter, an ambitious civic leadership programme exclusively aimed at women to increase their contribution to community, public and political life."

Joanne Jennings Head of Programmes

“The future success of politics and peace-building here in Northern Ireland and across the island of Ireland relies on increasing the number of women involved in community, public and political life. The Next Chapter includes dedicated training, coaching, mentoring and networking opportunities delivered exclusively to women. Our ultimate aim is to give women of all ages and backgrounds the confidence to enter public and political life and build a society where peace and reconciliation is strengthened and where positive social change is delivered.”
“The future success of politics and peace-building here in Northern Ireland and across the island of Ireland relies on increasing the number of women involved in community, public and political life. The Next Chapter includes dedicated training, coaching, mentoring and networking opportunities delivered exclusively to women. Our ultimate aim is to give women of all ages and backgrounds the confidence to enter public and political life and build a society where peace and reconciliation is strengthened and where positive social change is delivered.”
"I am very excited to be involved in this project, which will improve representation of women in public and political life and lead to a more gender-sensitive society, and in turn create positive working relationships on a cross-community and cross-border basis. Gender inequality in Northern Ireland and border regions is deeply rooted in the conflict of the past. The Next Chapter will provide training, networking opportunities and open access to decision making structures for women of all ages and backgrounds to resolve such issues, contribute to peace and reconciliation and help mobilise social change."

Mirjam Bader Project Manager

"I am very excited to be involved in this project, which will improve representation of women in public and political life and lead to a more gender-sensitive society, and in turn create positive working relationships on a cross-community and cross-border basis. Gender inequality in Northern Ireland and border regions is deeply rooted in the conflict of the past. The Next Chapter will provide training, networking opportunities and open access to decision making structures for women of all ages and backgrounds to resolve such issues, contribute to peace and reconciliation and help mobilise social change."

Liz Beaton Communications Lead

"It's my role to reach out across the region and use different platforms to start a conversation with you about writing the next chapter in our history and making a difference. This website for example is only a one-way conversation ... you can also like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/thenextchaptereu follow us on Twitter @PoliticsPlusNI and sign up to our Newsletter to keep up to date with everything that will be happening in your local Chapter. The Next Chapter is a programme open to women of all ages and backgrounds. There is no 'I can't' or 'They won't want someone like me,' - if you are interested please sign up!"
"It's my role to reach out across the region and use different platforms to start a conversation with you about writing the next chapter in our history and making a difference. This website for example is only a one-way conversation ... you can also like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/thenextchaptereu follow us on Twitter @PoliticsPlusNI and sign up to our Newsletter to keep up to date with everything that will be happening in your local Chapter. The Next Chapter is a programme open to women of all ages and backgrounds. There is no 'I can't' or 'They won't want someone like me,' - if you are interested please sign up!"
"I am very excited to be involved in this project, as The Next Chapter is a unique programme designed to empower women of all ages and backgrounds to address the under-representation of women's participation in public and political life. Join us on this inspiring journey!"

Stephen Coogan Finance Lead

"I am very excited to be involved in this project, as The Next Chapter is a unique programme designed to empower women of all ages and backgrounds to address the under-representation of women's participation in public and political life. Join us on this inspiring journey!"

Adrianne Peltz Project Coordinator

"I am delighted to be joining The Next Chapter project as a Regional Coordinator, working alongside colleagues to promote and extend womens participation in community and public life. A century after women were first able to participate in political life, there are still many obstacles which prevent women from stepping forward and engaging in politics. This project is an exciting opportunity to challenge many of the barriers to womens full participation by supporting grassroots activity and building strong communities in our Chapter Hubs."
"I am delighted to be joining The Next Chapter project as a Regional Coordinator, working alongside colleagues to promote and extend womens participation in community and public life. A century after women were first able to participate in political life, there are still many obstacles which prevent women from stepping forward and engaging in politics. This project is an exciting opportunity to challenge many of the barriers to womens full participation by supporting grassroots activity and building strong communities in our Chapter Hubs."
“I am delighted to be Regional Coordinator for The Next Chapter, an innovative programme aimed at improving the representation of women in community, public and political life while building relationships on a cross border and cross community basis. The Next Chapter will help remove barriers for women who want to participate in political and public life which will ultimately lead to a more gender sensitive society.”

Claire Rushe Project Coordinator

“I am delighted to be Regional Coordinator for The Next Chapter, an innovative programme aimed at improving the representation of women in community, public and political life while building relationships on a cross border and cross community basis. The Next Chapter will help remove barriers for women who want to participate in political and public life which will ultimately lead to a more gender sensitive society.”

Alex De La Torre Project Coordinator

"I am delighted to be part of The Next Chapter, coordinating the activities and development of the women's chapters in Belfast, Castlereagh and Lisburn, Mid Ulster and Mid and East Antrim in the next two years. Since the project started I have met representatives from a number of community groups, women's groups, ethnic minority groups, and individuals committed to gender equality in these areas and I am thrilled to see the appetite and potential for women in these locations to join the Next Chapter project. I am looking forward for the chapter meetings to start and begin such an inspirational journey!"
"I am delighted to be part of The Next Chapter, coordinating the activities and development of the women's chapters in Belfast, Castlereagh and Lisburn, Mid Ulster and Mid and East Antrim in the next two years. Since the project started I have met representatives from a number of community groups, women's groups, ethnic minority groups, and individuals committed to gender equality in these areas and I am thrilled to see the appetite and potential for women in these locations to join the Next Chapter project. I am looking forward for the chapter meetings to start and begin such an inspirational journey!"
"I have recently started working for Politics Plus and have enjoyed finding out about The Next Chapter Programme. It extends the reach of Politics Plus, engaging with a wide range of our existing stakeholders and organisations as well as establishing new networks and relationships."

Gavin Ervine Senior Programme Officer, Politics Plus

"I have recently started working for Politics Plus and have enjoyed finding out about The Next Chapter Programme. It extends the reach of Politics Plus, engaging with a wide range of our existing stakeholders and organisations as well as establishing new networks and relationships."

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In Partnership with

Politics Plus
NICVA
IRL
Peace