Tripoli, 17 May:
The Libyan Women’s Platform for Peace is kicking off a series of local training and networking sessions in three . . .[restrict]Libyan cities to strengthen the link between women and youth groups with political parties, and to train women and youth campaigners in strategic communications skills.
“Libya is at a critical juncture,” said Zahra’ Langhi of the Libyan Women’s Platform for Peace. “We are bringing these women and youth leaders here today so they can be trained, equipped and ready to lobby and advocate on the most pressing and important issues of the times.”
“The absence of effective communication has been responsible for many of the challenges facing Libyan government, the media and civil society,” said Alexis Everington, the lead trainer for strategic communications and expert on Libyan media. “In these sessions, we hope to address this capability so that Libya has the tools for this next critical phase of transition.”
The participants include Libyan human rights activists, media members, female and youth current or potential candidates for office, political analysts, journalists and youth campaigners, and politicians and representatives of political parties. The session in Tripoli will run from May 17-18, Misrata from May 19-20, and Benghazi from May 21-22, and come in the context of a larger project on supporting Libyan civil society and female political participation supported by UN Women.
The Libyan Women’s Platform for Peace was formed in May 2011 to serve as a coordinating body for female and youth civil society leaders throughout Libya. It convenes training, organizes advocacy activities, and serves as an information clearing house for women’s activists and their allies throughout Libya. It comprises members from all regions of Libya, as well as nationals and members of the diaspora. [/restrict]
