Brussels, 19/06/2001 (Agence Europe) - The Euromed forum, which should prepare the launch for 2002 of a "women's" action programmes financed by the MEDA programme, will gather on 13 and 14 July in Brussels, under the auspices of the European Commission and the Belgian Presidency of the EU (see EUROPE of 14 and 12 June, p.12) on the theme "The role of women in economic development: men-women equality dimension in Euro-Mediterranean partnership". Its aim is mainly the identification and drafting of the broad guidelines of a regional programme aimed at enhancing the participation of women in the economy and sustainable development, in the framework of the Euro-Mediterranean social programme, which will be established by the European Commission during the year.
The works will be divided into four workshops on: 1) access and participation of women in the labour market; 2) creation of micro-enterprises by women; 3) promotion of companies lead by women; 4) vocational education and training of women. The conclusions will be presented during the Euro-Mediterranean conference that will take place next autumn and will act as a basis for the introduction of a path centred on women in the social section of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership.
Let us note that for the first time since the establishment of cooperation between the two shores of the Mediterranean, credits will be freed on the improvement of the social situation of women and the reinforcement of their participation in the development of their region.