Jump Start Your Campaign for the 2007 Elections

Algeria, July 16 - 21, 2006: In preparation for Algeria’s 2007 legislative elections, the Middle East Partnership Initiative funded a National Democratic Institute-Algeria program called "Jump Start Your Campaign for the 2007 Elections." In the July training, 45 Algerian political activists from six political parties participated in workshops and seminars conducted by international and Algerian experts. The training will help potential candidates build support within their parties and improve grassroots organizing and campaign planning.

Topics covered during the campaign school included: deciding to run for office; the role of a member of Parliament; gaining support from your party for your campaign; advocacy for institutionalizing greater women’s participation; introduction to campaign planning; conducting basic voter surveys (opinion research); voter targeting; message development and delivery; building a campaign team; fundraising; public speaking; and media relations.

Judy Yablonky, a media trainer and one of several international experts at the Algeria program, conducted a workshop on media relations and techniques of effective public speaking.

Throughout the week-long event, participants divided into groups and met with current and former members of  parliament to discuss issues and strategies raised during workshops.

At a closing ceremony, participants celebrated their success in the campaign training program.