The Right Honourable Kim Campbell » Politics

A Thought from Kyiv

kim — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 21:17:52 +0000

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Does the polarization of American politics undermine arguments for greater cooperation in newer democracies?

A New Kind of Club

kim — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 03:09:20 +0000

Last week I went to Skopje, Macedonia to deliver the opening address for the National Democratic Institute’s conference on the advantages and disadvantages of open vs closed candidate lists in Macedonia’s electoral system.

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While I was there, I met an extraordinary group of women. You see in Macedonia, they have a quota that dictates that 40 out of the 120 parliamentarians must be women and they have subsequently formed a club. The night I arrived in Skopje, I got the chance to meet members of this Macedonian Women Parliamentarians Club. I was interested to learn that they are the only body that is currently working across party lines, and even though they may have serious disagreements, they are determined to continue to work together. Because of their efforts, a committee regarding equal opportunity for men and women has been formed, and it has begun to deal with issues like domestic violence and child welfare. They’ve also had a huge impact on the culture of the parliament… how men feel about these issues. They’ve accomplished a great deal and are a model for working across party lines, which I think is absolutely necessary for the success of democracy in this country. These women really inspired me!

Many people lament the lack women running for and in political office. Have you ever thought of your country enacting a quota? What would you think about it?

Canadian Leaders, Look to John A Macdonald!

kim — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 18:43:47 +0000

Image via CrunchBase

Recently, the Mark News hosted an interesting conversation about the direction of Canada, what it should look like at 150, and how to get there. One theme that emerged was the need for strong leadership at this particular moment in Canada’s history.

Challenges include defining a role for Canada in the rapidly changing global context and reengaging a public that seems increasingly disinterested in the political process. This will require bold leadership. But what does that look like?

The Mark News asked me to further the conversation by identifying one political leader, either past or present, who could serve as a role model for Canadian politicians and what could be learned from that leader today. I suggested that Canadian leaders look to Canada’s first Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald for inspiration.

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See what nine other prominent Canadians had to say about this as well in the Leaders on Leaders series on the Mark News.

Is there a leader from the past that you think would have solutions for the current challenges of your country today? Who would that be and why?

Tangible Transparency

kim — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 23:57:29 +0000

Last month, I was in Switzerland for the annual board meeting of the Forum of Federations, an independent org that was initiated in Canada, but is supported by many countries and governments. There also was a wide-ranging conference, co-sponsored by F of F, on immigrant integration in Switzerland and the impact of federalism.

It was an interesting program, but one of the most striking things during my visit was that I learned that in the Canton of Solothurn ALL jurisdictional business must be conducted in public. Imagine that! An interesting antidote to those who contend that governance conducted in public is merely political theatre.

As the debate over healthcare reform in the US rages, do you think that it would have benefited from more transparency or less?

I say to all women: “Go for it!”

sheila — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 19:42:18 +0000

Oftentimes leadership roles are gendered masculine and women are seen as not belonging in political office, even by other women. For many women and girls, Kim Campbell represented a serious step forward when she became Canada’s first and thus far only, female prime minister.

In this clip from Gretchen Kelbaugh’s independent film, Menocracy, Former Canadian Prime Minister Kim Campbell talks about why women should “Go for it.”

Here’s a challenge for you: If you have been inspired by an extraordinary woman, do something about it! It could be something as simple as thanking them and letting them know how they’ve influenced you, or perhaps there’s some way that you can pass it on by supporting or inspiring someone else.

Let us know who inspired you and what you’re doing about it.

-Sheila