EUROPEAN PROJECT OF WOMEN AND JOB MOBILITY INTERNATIONAL CLOSING CONFERENCE

The International Training Centre of the ILO, AFAEMME and SIPTU are pleased to invite you to participate in the European Project of Women and Job Mobility International Closing Conference that will take place in Turin on 21 February 2008.

The conference deals with the mobility of women in the ITC sector. In particular, the purpose is twofold: to discuss the actual role of women in the ITC sector and to outline new job opportunities for women in the ICT sector.

AFAEMME has been working during all last year 2007 in a project focused on two clusters: women and Information and Communication Technologies. The idea was to address the female population in the European labour market in order to produce leverage on workers mobility. At the same time, focusing on women and on a specific subject of economic growth (Lisboan Strategy-Knowledge economy) a multiple effect on job mobility can be obtained.

The project propose refers to the increasing of the job mobility of women in the TICs at large, trying to combine a more dynamic labour market in the TIC sector and the empowerment of high skill component of the female European labour market.

For this project, AFAEMME has been developed a specific section on the website on www.womemobility.org of a promotional and informative type on job opportunities for young women in TIC and what can be done to overcome the obstacles they find.

European statistics on education show that women enter the labour market with higher education levels than men. Since this has been the case for 20 years, a parallel increase in women doing qualified jobs could be expected.

However, women remain a minority in highly qualified, well paid jobs. The statistics show that the situation is different in the ICT sector, where there are increasing numbers of women in management positions (far more than in the industrial sector). This strongly suggests that the ICT sector offers great professional opportunities for women.

The conference intends to deepen this analysis by looking at women’s role in the ICT sector, their mobility within it, and new ICT job opportunities that draw on women’s professionalism.

At the Conference AFAEMME also present the new projects for this year 2008 that will carry out in partnership with the ILO and EUROCHAMBRE. This new project called: “Raising the awareness of companies about combating gender stereotypes” is to help private sector companies, in particular SMEs and in all sectors, to better understand the benefits of combating gender stereotypes, and improve their ability to act.

AFAEMME sets up a Web page on the work opportunities for young women in the ICT sector

Closing Conference of the Project “Women and Job Mobility: Obstacles and Solutions for Women in the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Sector”

On February 21st AFAEMME presented the new section that is being developed in its Web page www.womenmobility.org on work opportunities for young women in the ICT sector.

During the Closing Conference of the Project “Women and Job Mobility: Obstacles and Solutions for Women in the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Sector” that took place in Turin (Italy) in the conference room of the International Training Centre of the ILO in Turin (Italy), AFAEMME presented a new virtual tool that will help increase the number of existing women in the ICT sector.

Mrs. Mª Helena de Felipe Lehtonen, President of AFAEMME, made a brief presentation of AFAEMME’s role as a European project platform on gender equality and Mrs. Elizabeth Villagómez, AFAEMME’s Gender Expert, explained how to use the new section of the www.womenmobility.org Webpage where one can make inquiries on work opportunities for young women in the ICT sector, on the qualities necessary to develop a career in the ICT sector TIC and on the present situation of the sector in Spain, Italy and Ireland.

The event was divided in three blocks. In the first one, the objectives of the conference were exposed as well as analysing the role of women in the ICT sector; in the second block the new labour perspective for women in the ICT sector were presented, perspectives which were reflected in the Web page http://ict.womenmobility.org and in the third and last block the conclusions and recommendations reached in the project were exposed.

Mrs. Monica Rossi and Mr. Enrico Tezza, representatives of the International Training Centre of the ILO, said that the purpose of the project “Women and Job Mobility: Obstacles and Solutions for Women in the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Sector”, which was co-financed by the European Commission, was to rise awareness on institutions and social actors so that they can take measures that favour the professional mobility of women within the information and the communication technologies (ICT) sector.

Between the main objectives of the project it was emphasized the "identification of the obstacles that limit the participation of women in the ICT sector and that prevent the development of a career within the sector and the study of the social abilities necessary to be successful in sector", problems that many women face.

Mr. Eddie Higgins, representative of the Services, Industrial, Professional and Technical Union of Ireland, SIPTU, conclude that "it is a reality that there are few women who work in the ICT sector and it is necessary to foment their presence in this sector". For this reason it is necessary to focus on young women, as the main target, as they are most prone to stuffy engineering careers nowadays and are more familiarized with the ICT sector. He commented that the main obstacle that women face to develop a career in the ICT sector is the same one that in other sectors: the difficulty of conciliating labour and personal life, and more in a sector in which labour mobility is necessary to obtain continuous training in different countries.

For that reason, companies in the ICT sector, more than in any other, have to facilitate labour mobility programs: housing searching services in the new destiny country, the facilitation of information on the cultural customs of the country, schools search services for the children (if there were any), good economic compensation, etc.

Nowadays it is necessary to use the new technologies so it is easier for both men and women to conciliate labour and personal life. Internet offers a handful of options to work from a distance with no need to physically be in the office. This requires a commitment of trust, from the business owner, and of responsibility, from the worker.

The event also counted with the presence of Mrs. Nancy Pascall, Gender Policy Officer of the Directorate of Components and Systems of the European Commission, who said that "the number of women in careers such as engineering continues to be very low". Mrs. Brito-Marie Södenberg, representative of Winnet Europe proposed as a solution to the data facilitated by Mrs. Pascall that children should be educated in equality since primary school "to abolish the gender differences it is necessary to begin to educate well in primary school. It is necessary to educate in equality. And the second step is to eliminate stereotypes in the work place".

On the other hand, Prof. Vittorio Cappecci, professor of the University of Bologna, said that: "it has to be to proposed, in primary schools, mathematics and physics education systems that are applied practical things in order to create interest in students and to foment that in the future they decide to study careers related to the ICT sector ".

The event was also attended by the representative of the Department of Gender of Telecomitalia Media, Mrs. Paola Mastromarino; the representative of APID (Associazione delle Piccole Imprese Donna), Mrs. Giovanna Boschis; Mrs. Clara Collarile, Former General Director of the Office for Intervention in Economic and Social Matters of the Ministry for Equal Opportunities of Italy; Mrs. Marina Larios, representative of Witec and Mrs. Benedetta Magri, Coordinator of the Gender Unit of the ITC-ILO.

AFAEMME concludes with this event the project that has been developing throughout all 2007.

Its new project, that will be develop in partnership with International Training Centre of the ILO and EUROCHAMBRES throughout 2008, is called: "Add Value, Break Stereotypes” tries to help the companies of the private sector, in particular small and medium businesses of all the sectors, to understand the benefits of fighting gender stereotypes in the business market.

You can find more pictures of the event in: http://www.afaemme.org/photo.php

AFAEMME was named member of the Commission of International Relations of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Navigation of Barcelona

AFAEMME was named member of the Commission of International Relations of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Navigation of Barcelona by Mrs. Miquel Valls I Maseda, President of the organization, during the last Plenary of the Corporation.

Mª Helena de Felipe Lehtonen meets in Barcelona with the President of the Association of Businesswomen of Morocco (AFEM)

The President of AFAEMME received last 25th July Mrs. Bouthayna Iraqui Houssaini, President of Afem and one of the Vice-presidents of AFAEMME, and Mrs. Saloua Karkri Belkeziz, Honorary President of AFEM Foundation.

The Presidents of both associations and the Honorary President of Afem met to review the activities of the present projects that they are carrying out together. They also discussed the means to fortify the collaboration bonds that unite AFAEMME with the association of the neighbouring country in order to continue working together to promote the incorporation of women in the Moroccan labour market.

Mrs. de Felipe Lehtonen participated in the “Second Congress of Women’s Business from the Adriatic and Ionio Area”

The President of AFAEMME, Mrs. de Felipe Lehtonen, participated in the “Second Congress of Women’s Business from the Adriatic and Ionio Area” that took place in Ancona (Italy) from May 30th to 31st May.

The event was a good opportunity to exchange ideas about the situation of businesswomen in the European labour market and to analyse the new labour markets that offer the best opportunities for businesswomen.

Mrs. De Felipe spoke about AFAEMME´s past projects on women mobility, gender stereotypes in the European labour market and about the project that AFAEMME is carrying out this year for the European Commission in partnership with the I.L.O. (International Labour Organisation) entitled “ Women and job mobility: obstacles and solutions for women in the Information and Communications Technologies (ITCs)”

This project is focused on women and ITC and addresses the female population in the European labour market in order to produce an increase on worker’s mobility. At the same time, it focuses on women as a specific subject of economic growth, trying to combine the high skill component of the female European labour market.

In the context of this project AFAEMME will develop a specific section on their web side www.womenmobility.org on job opportunities for young women in ITC and what can be done to overcome the obstacles they find.

The President of AFEMME also explained that the main aim to AFAEMME was: “to coordinate the efforts of the various Mediterranean Businesswomen’s entities, promoting common activities and projects in order to increase their rank and effectiveness in the business world; to influence public opinion through presentations, events, campaigns directed at National Authorities and Institutions, to establish the role of women in business and to encourage and assist in the creation of structures such as coalitions and policies, to strengthen the participation of women in economic life, providing better business relations and gender equality”.

Mrs. De Felipe so gave the thanks to Mrs. Gorajski, Director of entrepreneurship and women labour market of the Chamber of Commerce, for had invited her and gave the opportunity to participate in that important event.

The counsellor of Presidency of the Region of Murcia, Mr. Fernando de la Cierva, received the members of AFAEMME

The counsellor of Presidency, Mr.Fernando de la Cierva, received the members of AFAEMME in an act celebrated in Murcia last 22nd  March.

The counsellor expressed his gratitude to the presidents of the Mediterranean Businesswomen Associations present for their work to promote gender equality in the labour market. 

At the same time, Mrs. Mª Helena de Felipe Lehtonen, President of AFAEMME, thanked the Regional Government, the Woman Institute of the Region of Murcia and the local Association of Professional and Businesswomen (OMEP) for the support that AFAEMME received to organize the European Conference “Businesswomen and Labour Mobility in the Mediterranean Arc”.

Mrs. De Felipe presented to the Counsellor a replica of the “Dama de Elche”, a historic symbol of the noble values transmitted by the Mediterranean women.

European Conference “Businesswomen and Labour Mobility in the Mediterranean Arc"

Published: March 21st and 22nd, 2007. Murcia, (Spain). By: L. Acedo

March 20th:  Greeting of AFAEMME´s members

March 21st: 

• 12:00hrs: Reception in the San Esteban Palace with the President of the Autonomous Community of the Region of Murcia
• 14:00hrs: Typical lunch
• 16:00hrs: Guided city tour and assistance to exposition of III Centenary of the sculptor Salzillo
• 21:30hrs: Welcome dinner

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AFAEMME Annual Meeting

Published: March 21st and 22nd, 2007. Murcia, (Spain). By: L. Acedo

AFAEMME Members meet in Murcia, Spain on 22nd March to celebrate their Annual General Meeting.
The Assembly took place after a European Conference framed within the project called: “Women and Job Mobility: obstacles and solutions for women in the ICT sector”, where it was analyzed how the new communication and information technologies (ICT) can help to improve the networking between the members of AFAEMME, as AFAEMME is working in a project co-financed by the European Commission.

European Year of Workers’ Mobility closing conference in Lille (France) - AFAEMME participates in the Closing Conference of European Year of Workers´ Mobility and finalizes its project on mobility and equality

Published: December 11st and 12nd, 2006. Lille, (France).  by L.Acedo

On 11st and 12nd has taken place Closing Conference of European Year of Workers´ Mobility.  In the act, celebrated in Lille (France), page www.womenmobility.org that AFAEMME has developed inside the framework of the project" Mobility and Equality in the European Labour Market" has been one of the most applauded initiatives. 

Closing Conference have consisted on the one hand in an Exposition for 13 stands where some of the 31 Associations and European Organizations, among that is  AFAEMME and the Coalition for Gender Equality  of Latvia, could present the projects developed during that year 2006. 

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AFAEMME BOARD MEETING AT MALLORCA

Published: September 29th 2006. Mallorca, (Spain). By: L. Acedo

AFAEMME Board Meeting took place at Hotel Barceló Albatros at Palma de Mallorca last 29th September. The meeting was attended by representatives of the associations from Mediterranean and EU member countries belonging to AFAEMME’s network. Mrs. Mª Helena de Felipe Lehtonen, president of AFAEMME, presented the new web site of the Association totally renewed and redesigned: www.afaemme.org She also pointed out the need to have a good corporative image and updated tools in order to support networking and make it effective.

Labour Market and Entrepreneurship Overcoming Gender Stereotypes Transnational Action Plan promoted by Geneder Equality and Businesswomen Organisations

Published: February 23rd 2006. Brussels (Belgium) by L.Acedo

On 23rd February 2006, AFAEMME presented in the European Parlament the Project entitled “Labour Market and Entrepreneurship Overcoming Geneder Stereotypes Transnational Action Plan promoted by Geneder Equality and Businesswomen Organisations” carried out with the support of the European Commission and FEMM (The comision of Gender Equality of the European Parliament).
More than a hundred of people from forty countries attended to hear the results of the project and the recommendations which were made to the European Institutions and National Governements.

The Annual General Meeting and Elections of AFAEMME

Published: February 23rd 2006. Brussels (Belgium) by L.Acedo

The Annual General Meeting and Elections of AFAEMME, took place on 23rd February 2006 in Brussels.
We are pleased to announce that we have five new members from Argelia, France (FCE), Lebanon (LAB), Syria (MAWRED) and Turkey (KAGIDER) and we have extended the Board of Directors to incorporate four new Vice-Presidents form Greece (SEGE), Malta (MBWD), Morocco (AFEM) and Spain, Andalucia (FAME).

AFAEMME New Logotype

Published: February 25rd 2006. Barcelona, (Spain) by L.Acedo

Euro-Mediterranean Economic Leaders Summit

Published: November 28th 2005. Barcelona (Spain) by L.Acedo

AFAEMME is one of the twelve members who has subscribed to the conclusions presented in the “ Euro-Mediterranean Economic Leaders Summit” held on 28th November 2005 in Barcelona. We expect that the voice of the business sector of the Mediterranean region will be heard and taken in consideration for the future policies of the Euro- Mediterranean Partnership.

Third National Focal Meeting in Sofia (Bulgaria)

Published: October 14th 2005. Sofia (Bulgaria) by L.Acedo

As part of the gender equality project "Labour market and entrepreneurship overcoming gender stereotypes" , under the coordination of Afaemme, WAD (Women’s Alliance for Development), held the third National Focal Meeting in Sofia (Bulgaria) on 14th to 16th October, where we presented and discussed the conclusion of the twelve national studies.
The meeting was very fruitful and many issues were debated. Everybody is looking forward to the final large shedule meeting in Brussels (Belgium) on 2nd-4th February 2006, where Afaemme with its proyect partners and collaborating Associations will have the opportunity to present the reports and recomendation to members to European Comission and National Governments.

International Focal Point Meeting at Barcelona (Spain)

Published: June 30th 2005. Thessaloniki (Greece) by L.Acedo

AFAEMME celebrated in Barcelona on Friday June 30th and Saturday July 1st 2005, the Third International Focal Point Meeting that forms part of the project “Labour Market and Entrepreneurship Overcoming Gender Stereotypes”, with the presence of Presidents and key representatives of Associations from each country found in the eastern hemisphere of Europe (Estonia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Romania, Lithuania, Latvia, Czech Republic, Slovenia and Poland). The attendees analysed in detail the real obstacles which women have to face in the labour and entrepreneurial market and proposed various ways to improve the access of women to this market. During this International meeting, also took place the launch of the renewed issue of “Fair Play”, published by WAD, Women’s Alliance for Development, Bulgaria.

General Assembly of AFAEMME at Thessaloniki, (Greece)

Published: April, 9th 2005. Thessaloniki, (Greece) by L.Acedo

The past 9th of April 2005 and as part of the second meeting to discuss about the project “Labour Market and Entrepreneurship, Overcoming Gender Stereotypes”, took place the General Assembly of AFAEMME at Thessaloniki, Greece. One of the main activities during the Assembly was the aprobation of the activities done during 2004 and the coming activities during the current year. The members of AFAEMME present at the event were:
Mrs. Maria Helena de Felipe (President); Mrs. Mercedes Delgado (General Secretary); Mrs. Cristina Gorajski (Italy); Mrs. Mina Thanou (Greece); Mrs. María Angeles Ruiz Martínez (Murcia, Spain); Mrs. Marisa Riestra Nicolau (Balearic Islands, Spain); Mrs. Charlotte Gregory (Malta); Betariz Fernandez (legal advisor) and Elisabeth Trallero (International Coordinator).
The celebration of the next General Assembly will take place on January 2006 at Brusselss, Belgium.

Workers Mobility: a right, an option, an opportunity

Published: Febrary 20th 2005. Barcelona (Spain) by L.Acedo

On 20th February 2005, some members of AFAEMME atended the Internacional Conference in the European Comisión in Brussels, entitled “Workers Mobility: a right, an option, an opportunity” which launched the European year of Worker´s Mobility. The inaugural session was presided by Mr. José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission.

Seminar on Civil and Political Right at Barcelona Forum

Published: July  29th 2004. Barcelona (Spain)

The Meeting on Women's Dialogue was held between the 29th and 31st of July, within which AFAEMME took part at a Round Table Debate (chaired by its President Mrs Maria Helena de Felipe).  The topic of this particular discussion was:
    "Civil and Political Rights - New Forms of Democracy"
The three days were marked with success in terms of attendance, enthusiasm and participartion of women relevant to the social, political and economic worlds.
 We will have the conclusions after the closure of the FORUM on the 24th of September and will be carrying the over to the new MONTERREY FOURM in 2007.

President of AFAEMME is invited to Morocco to represent Catalonian 

Published: May 27th 2004. Casablanca (Morocco)

President of AFAEMME, Mª Helena de Felipe, was recently invited by the Head of the Catalan Government, Mr. Pascual Maragall, as part of a delegation, to Morocco. The purpose of the visit, made between 27th - 29th May 2004, was to participate in a series of meetings to promote corporate co-operation between Morocco and Catalonia of Spain.
The invitation was further extended by Mrs.Felipe, to Saloua Kakri, President of AFEM of Morocco, an active member of AFAEMME.