Calgary,
17
March
2023
|
14:23
America/Denver

She Governs event appeals to future leaders

ADV-19371 - City Clerks - She Governs Campaign '23-81

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Twenty local students in grades 9 to 12 got a taste of running a City Council meeting today during the She Governs event held at Calgary’s Municipal Building.  

Mayor Jyoti Gondek welcomed the participants and said that the path to local politics needs strong thinkers with a passion for listening, community building, and leading others.

The students assumed the roles of Mayor and Councillors, where they quickly began a lively discussion in Council Chambers on the topic of single use plastics. 

The model Council was followed by a speakers panel, where students asked Council representatives Ward 1 Cllr Sonya Sharp, Ward 2 Cllr Jennifer Wyness, Ward 3 Cllr Jasmine Mian and Ward 11 Cllr Kourtney Penner about their personal experiences and attributes needed for a career as political representatives. 

In partnership with Equal Voice Calgary, the model council gave participants hands-on experience of local governance, Council and committee structure, and the formal voting process.  

“Women are making great strides toward gender equity, political achievements, and contributing to our social culture," said Dhuha Nader, Equal Voice chair. "Today’s event provided first-hand exposure to these opportunities.”

Equal Voice is a national, multi-partisan organization that advocates for the equal representation of women in Canada’s Parliament, provincial legislatures, and municipal and band councils.