Conference - Gender equality pays off

Objective of the project is to increase understanding of (un)equal power relations between women and men in order to identify adequate responses to gender imbalances and inequalities, particularly in the areas of economic and political decision-making, and work-life balance.The conference aims to discuss experiences and challenges of gender equality, in particular regarding the distribution of social power and influence between women and men. The debate will evolve around the core question on how to make better use of women's talents and skills. The focus will be on the issues of gender balanced political and economic decision-making and the approaches to tackle austerity, while ensuring economic independence of women and thus a high standard of gender equality.First day of the conference is organised as a plenary session with addresses, contributions and discussions by national and foreign participants. The second day is planned as parallel workshops about gender equality policy and challenges at the national and local level, and a contribution by and to the NGO sector.Interpretation from/to Slovenian and English will be available during the first day, 15.1.2014.Travel and accommodation costs for foreign participants are covered by the organiser from the project budget. Transfers from/to airport and venue will be arranged by the organiser.Agenda: Wednesday, 15 January 2014 10.00 – 11.00 OPENING Addresses:Anja Kopač Mrak, Minister of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities Tove Skarstein, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway Alenka Bratušek, Prime ministerGender equality - experiences and challengesDebate: mag. Alenka Bratušek, Prime minister, Anja Kopač Mrak, Minister of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, Tove Skarstein, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway Moderator: Maruša Gortnar, Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities 11.00 – 11.30 Coffee break 11.30 – 12.45 PANEL 1: Political representation and participation of women and menMajda Potrata, Member of the Parliament Janne Fardal Kristoffersen, Mayoress, Lindesnes municipality Olga Karba, Mayoress, Municipality of Ljutomer 12.45 – 13.00 Discussion 13.00 – 14.00 Lunch break 14.00 – 15.00 PANEL 2: The price of economic crisis and austerity for women, future challengesFrancesca Bettio, Professor, University of Siena, ENEGE Metka Roksandič, President, Women's Lobby of Slovenia Liss Schanke, Special Adviser, KS Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities 15.00 – 15.15 Discussion 15.15 – 16.30 PANEL 3: Economic independence and women on boards Aleksandra Kanjuo Mrčela, Professor, Faculty of Social Sciences Sonja Šmuc, Managing Director, Managers' Association of Slovenia Kristen Dalby, Special Adviser, Norwegian Union of Municipal and General Employees Andreja Poje, Executive Secretary, Association of Free Trade Unions of Slovenia 16.30 – 16.45 Discussion 16.45 – 17.00 CONCLUDING REMARKS Thursday, 16 January 2014 10.00 – 13.00 FUTURE CHALLENGES FOR GENDER EQUALITY Workshops for Slovenian participants: 1. NGO sector and gender equality 2. Gender equality in local communities 3. National gender equality policy Read more about the Norwegian Financial Mechanism Programme for Slovenia here