The Northern Ireland Women's Coalition aims to have 18 members in the Northern Ireland Assembly by 2003, according to the joint party leader, Ms Jane Morris. Ms Morris described her first five months in the Assembly as a "fascinating learning curve" and described the art of debate as "a bit like fencing".
In an address entitled "The View from the Big House", she said substantial work was being achieved in Assembly committees and plenary sessions. "There are people sitting beside each other and working, talking, listening and even sometimes there is a convivial atmosphere."
However, she said it was "fascinating" to see people's change in demeanour once they stepped outside the doors of the Assembly. "I'm very, very disappointed that there aren't TV cameras in there looking at what's happening and looking at the productive work that is being done. That's something that not enough people in the street are seeing."
At the conference, attended by over 100 people - including four men - Ms Morris commented on how wonderful it was "to be among friends". One speaker, Ms Avila Kilmurray, encouraged the party to formulate specific policy aims. Mrs Linda Walker said the party should adopt a stance in opposition to the privatisation of water in Northern Ireland.
The party co-leader, Mrs Monica McWilliams, said the party would apply itself to a few specialised areas in regard to the formulation of policy, although it would make submissions on all areas. She said she expected the party to address domestic violence, and the care of the elderly, in the form of private member Bills.
Mrs May Blood, a founder of the party, and Mrs Pearl Sagars, a member of the party's talks team, were elected to the new party executive. Ms Vicki Moore (22) was also elected to the seven-member executive. She outlined to delegates how no other party in the North afforded young women opportunities for advancement like the Women's Coalition.
Mr John Hoey, a nominee for a position on the executive, failed to poll enough votes in the ballot. He said that more women entering politics would ultimately produce a "higher calibre of politician".
The party adopted its first constitution at the conference. Key points in the document included provision for job sharing of party executive positions. "The whole idea is to stretch the idea of democracy," said party spokeswoman Ms Kate Fearon.
She also outlined how the party will attempt to tackle the sectarian conflict head-on by allowing for the executive to be expanded if it is felt that one community has a majority. "If the executive contains too many members with a nationalist background, then members with a unionist background can be co-opted on to it and vice-versa. It's a simple recognition that we all have baggage," said Ms Fearon.