A training course for 30 potential women candidates for District and Commune People Councils of Vung Tau and Ba Ria city was held in three days, from 12 to 14 November 2015.

This is the first training in Vung Tau under the cooperation between the Women Leadership Project between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam and the United Nations Development Programme and the Women Union of Viet Nam.

The training agenda is based on the manual “Ready for Success” and the eLearning site at www.sansangdethanhcong.com developed by the Women Leadership Project and the Women Union of Viet Nam.

The whole class is delivered the content on why women can be good leaders, the political system of Viet Nam, the National Assembly, and the People Councils. Through group discussion, assignment and plenary presentation, participants receive clearer understanding the key role of the Women Union within the political system, particularly in the preparation for the elections 2016 and it is anticipated there will be practical and appropriate actions to increase the women representation rate in as stated in the Law on Elections of delegates to the National Assembly and the People Councils 2015.

After the theory on Candidate Actions Plan and preparation for the Voter Contacting Conference, the class is divided into 5 groups, together preparing the Candidate Actions Plan and presenting in a role play Voter Contacting Conference. Five women potential candidates in the final ballot present their Candidate Actions Plan in a Voter Contacting Conference, answer questions raised by voters and listen to the comments and inputs for improvement. The ballot with the name of five candidates distributed to all participants-voters and the class do the voting to choose the most persuasive candidate. Each trainee-voter shows his own choice, selects 3 delegates at maximum and on the basis of a secret ballot. The commission to check the votes established, count the votes for each candidate and inform the result to Organizer-trainer to write on the wall. Trainer also joins in the vote commission to ensure the objectiveness and transparency. Three successful winners selected from the top of number of votes and being voted by more than 50% of the voters. The Voter Contacting Conference congratulates the successfulness of three delegates.

The student-orientation training methodology with strong participation of students in exercises has increased its effectiveness, trainees have strong understanding on theory and reinforce through the practical exercises and valuable experiences by trainers and other participants.

The Women Leadership Project would like to congratulate all of your enthusiastic participation in the successful training and wish you all the best in the election 2016 and well perform your delegated assignments to be further promoted in your career.