Applications for PL’s LEAD initiative now open

● Successful applicants will be mentored by PM Joseph Muscat

MEP Miriam Dalli yesterday announced that applications for people to take part in LEAD – a Labour Party programme aimed at increasing female participation in politics – are now open.

Women aged 16 and over can apply. Application forms can be downloaded from lead.org.mt. Applications close on 4 September.

Dalli also explained that successful applicants will be mentored by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat.

The MEP said the main aim of the initiative was to bring more women into the political sphere, the ultimate aim being that they take an active role in the country’s highest political institution – Parliament.

Labour Party president Daniel Micallef said the PL was a leader, even in the issue of increasing female participation in politics.

Several sections of the party will be involve in the initiative, he said, including Nisa Laburisti (Labour Women), Forum Żgħażagħ Laburisti (the party’s youth section) and the PL think tank Fondazzjoni IDEAT.

Micallef and Claudette Abela Baldacchino will be leading the ‘on the ground’ campaign training, which is “essential for the formation and success of every political activity.”

Miriam Dalli explained that applicants will be asked what their political ambitions are and to present three initiatives that they believe can change politics for the better.

Candidates must be at least 16 years old and be interested in entering a political commitment on behalf of the PL.

The selection board will be headed by Lydia Abela, who is the party’s executive secretary. Thirty-five applicants will be chosen after an interview process that will be held between 6 and 13 September.

Mentoring will be led by Paul Dalli, president of the Maltese Mentoring Society. LEAD team member Sarah Haider explained that the development programme will involve visibility on the traditional and social media.