September 18-19, 2008, Valencia, Comunidad Valenciana (E)
VIIIth AER Conference on Equal Opportunities and Committee 2 Plenary Session
Equal Access to the Labor Market
The Dirección general de la Mujer y por la Igualdad of the Comunitat Valenciana, the AER Committee on Social Affairs and Public Health (2) and the AER Observatory on Gender Issues are pleased to welcome you to the beautiful city of Valencia!
The Mercat Central de València (1928) and orange trees are both local landmarks (© Scools)
The Ciutat de les Arts i de les Ciènces de València, designed by world-famous Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava, is a stone's throw away from our conference venue.(© Scools)
Detail of the Mercat de Colom, located in the Eixample de València (© Scools)
AER President Michèle SABBAN, who is also President of the AER Observatory on Gender Issues, with Monica Carlsson (right)(Norrbotten, SE) and Maria Stella Ciarletta (left)(Calabria, IT), respectively 1st and 2nd Vice-President of the AER Observatory on Gender Issues.
VIIIth AER Conference on Equal Opportunities
Equal Access to the Labor Market and how to promote equal opportunities schemes in companies
Despite the significant progress made thanks to the EU equal treatment legislation, there is still a 15% pay gap between women and men which arises from structural inequalities such as segregation in work sectors. Women constitute, on average, only 30% of entrepreneurs in the EU. They often face greater difficulties than men in accessing finance and training. And the risk of poverty is greater for women than for men, as they are more likely to have interrupted careers and, therefore, fewer rights.
Furthermore, flexible working arrangements offer many advantages to both men and women. However, the fact that far more women than men make use of such arrangements has a negative impact on their position in the workplace and their economic independence. Few men take parental leave or work part-time. Measures should be taken to encourage them to take up family responsibilities. Better childcare facilities make it possible to find a new work-life balance...
Equal access to the labor market is not yet a reality! How can regions help to the implementation of a fairer society? How can they help their citizens to live a more balanced life, closer to their abilities, further away from outdated stereotypes? And what can they do to influence private companies to play along the rules?
The Valencia Conference tried to answer these questions and many others. Regions have unanimously adopted the following declaration:
Declaració de València - Valencia Declaration
AER President Michèle SABBAN and Valencian Conseller de Bienestar Juan Gabriel COTINO opened the VIIIth AER Conference on Equal Opportunities
135 participants from 14 countries actively took part to the debates.
AER President Michèle SABBAN met the press twice while in Valencia
AER President Michèle SABBAN discussing with Mrs.Edita-Emöke LOKODI, President of Mures County (RO)
Mrs. Celia ORTEGA RUIZ, General Director of the Dirección general de la Mujer y por la Igualdad (Comunitat valenciana, ES)
Mrs. Sylvie VAUGELADE, Vice-President of Limousin (FR), one of the many active members who took the floor to contribute to the debate.
MORE PICTURES OF THIS EVENT AVAILABLE HERE.
Invitation letter
Preliminary agenda
List of Participants
Institutional Speech - Mrs. Michèle SABBAN, AER President and President of the AER Observatory on Gender Issues
Getting women in top jobs - combating gender discrimination - Mrs. Isabel MAÑAS RODRIGUEZ, President of Business Professional Women Spain
Gender Equality and efficiency in making business: a possible and necessary mix - Mr. Jorge GARCÉS FERRER, Director of the Centro de Investigación Polibienestar of the Universidad de Valencia
Getting young people onto the first step of the employment ladder - Mr. Olov OSKARSSON, Jämtland
Adapting to demographic realities: keeping old persons active for longer - Mrs. Barbro SKOGLUND, European Age Management Network
Feminine leadership. the LIDERA Program in the Comunidad - An example of a regional policy: Madrid (E) - Mrs. Mª José PÉREZ-CEJUELA REVUELTA, General Director of the Instituto de la Mujer de la Comunidad de Madrid (Comunidad autónoma de Madrid, ES)
Gender Equality at work : Training for Chief officers in public authorities - Gunilla SVANTORP, County Commissioner (Värmland, SE) - Speech
Gender Equality at work : Training for Chief officers in public authorities - Gunilla SVANTORP, County Commissioner (Värmland, SE) - Presentation
AER Committee 2 Statement on Equal Access to the Labor Market
2 - Committee 2 : Minutes of the Plenary Session in Umea (June 3, 2008)
4 - Elections 2008 - Candidates
5.a.1. - Observatory on Gender Issues : Minutes of the Brussels meeting (April 28, 2008)
5.a.2. - AER Observatory on Gender Issues : Work Program 2009
5. a.3. - AER supports the European Women's Lobby's Campaign "No modern European Democracy without Gender Equality" - Download and disseminate the EWL kit
7.1. Commission Proposal-Directive on the application of patients' rights in cross-border healthcare
7.2.Green Paper on Territorial Cohesion – Towards a harmonious and balanced development of the EU territory. Turning diversity into strength
8.1. - Committee 2 : Work Plan 2009
8.2. - Committee 2 : Political priorities 2009-2010
Agenda of the alcohol meeting
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Agenda of the Emergency Planning Network meeting
SIRE - Intelligence Response System for Emergencies
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