Party conference report part 1: Liberal Democrats

Twenty-one voluntary and community organisations have the opportunity to rub shoulders with politicians and opinion formers at this year’s Party Conferences as part of NCVO's Party Conference Bursary scheme. NCVO asked three bursary winners to write a guest blog post about the conferences. Here is the first post.

Chris Green, Director of White Ribbon Campaign with  Cllr Liz Langfield of executive member ofNewcastle upon Tyne City council

I am Chris Green Director of White Ribbon Campaign, UK. WRC is a global campaign to ensure men take more responsibility for reducing the level of violence against women.  Its goals are to encourage men to do educational work in schools, workplaces and communities, support local women’s groups and raise money for the WRC’s international educational efforts. For information about our activities see www.whiteribboncampaign.co.uk

I wanted to attend the party conference so that I could get the chance to put questions to key MPs and senior councillors and to network with Liberal party organisations and other voluntary sector organisations.

With the bursary and the advice of NCVO staff I have arranged meetings with leaders of councils at the conference to introduce the work of the campaign, and the concept of White Ribbon towns. This is likely to lead to an increase in councils being accredited as White Ribbon authorities.  They only achieve accreditation if they demonstrate increased levels of activity in developing work around prevention of violence against women.

Liverpool is a great city for WRC activity so I had high expectations of my visit. Last year the Lord Mayor of Liverpool took part in our "Heels are made for Walking" high heels for men sponsored walk raising money for local womesn groups anti violence activities. The attorney General also attended a Liverpool vs Manchester City game to highlight White Ribbon Day- November 25th, the International Day to eradicate violence against Women.

I have received the support of senior  councillors from Portsmouth and Newcastle on Tyne, as well as being able to arrange additional meetings at future conferences of Young Liberals, and had a useful meeeting with DELGA, the organisation for Lesbian, Gay,Bisexual and Transgeder memebrs of Liberal Democrat party.

It was also great to meet with the other bursary winners and NCVO staff as we had a lot to learn from exchanging views, particularly swapping ideas about how to network more effectively

I hope my other upcoming NCVO experience, the work experience exchange "A Day in the Life of" will be as useful to my organisation.

Chris Green