Brussels, 05/03/2007 (Agence Europe) - As each year, European institutions make their contribution to celebrating International Women's Day, on Thursday 8 March. The EU is also preparing to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its gender equality policy in the context of the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All. Activities announced include:
(1) The European Commission (Crown Plaza Hotel, Brussels) is holding a round table at the initiative of Commissioner Vladimir Spidla, on Tuesday 6 March, on the theme of women in the economic decision-making process and on how to facilitate women's access to posts of responsibility. It will be attended by CEOs and female business leaders. There will also be a debate on the theme of women in politics, breakthroughs and challenges, attended by European Commissioners for women: Viviane Reding, Danuta Hübner, Neelie Kroes, Benita Ferrero-Waldner and Meglena Kouneva. On Wednesday 7 March, the Commission will present three reports to the press on questions of gender equality, with regard to: (a) legal and economic aspects of the income gap; (b) the spring report on gender equality; and (c) the result of implementing the roadmap for equality between men and women.
(2) The EP Committee on Women's Rights and Equal Opportunities is holding in Brussels, on Thursday 8 March, a seminar chaired by Anna Zaborska on the theme of the women who are building Europe's future. The seminar will be attended by Hans-Gert Pöttering, EP President, Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul, German Federal Minister for Economic and Development Cooperation, Commissioner Vladimir Spidla and former JHA Commissioner, Anita Gradin. The former president of the EP, Nicole Fontaine, will conclude the work. (gb)