Women uphold the sporting honour of Belgium!

Having produced two magnificent tennis champions, Belgium once again has its women to thank for the only medals it won in China … and they are also the first ever women’s athletics medals won for Belgium. Will our country confirm at last its interest in women’s exploits by giving them the same attention that they give to men’s sports (especially in the media) and giving the same financial rewards?
Sport is the mirror of our society … we need to reinforce the culture of excellence, effort, persistence and meeting challenges if we are to maintain our status as a modern country with a competitive economy. At Beijing it was the women who demonstrated what could be done, even though nobody predicted they would win medals.
When I met Kim Gevaert at the Royal Palace I told her that I admired her because she had been daring enough to come in first. In Belgium it is even more difficult than elsewhere in Europe to be ambitious, pioneering and come out top!
Our country figures in the crowd at the bottom of the Olympic medals table and also has a low ranking for the number of women holding decision-making jobs in the economic and financial world. It is high time to wake up and to take action to give our country the opportunity to benefit from the skills of its women.
Our one and only gold medal has been won by a high jumper … so our name ‘JUMP’ is perhaps not just coincidence!
Welcome back from the summer break to all of you, our true champions!

Source: Cheryl Francis, Directorship 21.03.07 in Forbes.com

The article Leadership : Where are the Women? reveals a new development in the US: "In the boardrooms of many large, public companies across the U.S., we are seeing a disturbing trend. New data show that for the first time in years the representation of women on boards is falling. In February, the nonprofit research firm Catalyst reported that nationwide the number of women on boards of large, public companies declined slightly last year, for the first time since it began collecting the data in 1995. On top of that, the 2006 annual census of Chicago's top 50 companies conducted by the Chicago Network, revealed that, for the first time in nine years, boardroom representation by women declined--despite more board positions coming open.

Source: Dynamisme Wallon : www.uwe.be

De Bruxelles à Bouge. D’une grande entreprise à une petite. De la publicité à la pâtisserie. Telle est la voie empruntée par Florence Fernémont. Avec deux autres repreneurs, elle a bâti depuis quatre ans un véritable projet d’entreprise autour de la Maison Rouard. Avec passion et professionnalisme. « Nous revendiquons une image d’artisan, associée aux règles de gestion d'entreprise et de développement «

Source: fatherhoodinstitute.org

Active mothers need support and inspiration, and so do fathers: "The Fatherhood Institute is the UK's fatherhood think-tank. The Institute (charity reg. no. 1075104) collates and publishes international research on fathers, fatherhood and different approaches to engaging with fathers by public services and employers. It helps shape national and local policies to ensure a father-inclusive approach to family policy, injects research evidence on fathers and fatherhood into national debates about parenting and parental roles. It  lobbies for changes in law, policy and practice to dismantle barriers to fathers’ care of infants and children. The Institute is the UK’s leading provider of training, consultancy and publications on father-inclusive practice, for public and third sector agencies and employers.

Source: Claude Ansermoz, 5 août 2008 dans Tribune de Genève

Dans son article Claude Ansermoz présente Martine Rahie, une professeure belge, qui dirige depuis le 4 août  l'Université de Neuchâtel. "Une première dans le monde académique romand. Elle n'aime pas le son de ce mot. Mais, en bonne biologiste, Martine Rahier se souvient parfaitement de ce que sont des «rectrices»: «Les grandes plumes de la queue des oiseaux qui permettent de diriger leur vol.» Depuis hier, cette Belge de 54 ans est une espèce en voie d'apparition. La première «Madame le recteur» d'une université romande est entrée en fonction. Au niveau suisse, seul Zurich avait connu, entre 1982 et 1984, une académicienne en chef."

Source: E-quality.nl

In dit spel staat onderhandelen voor een betere positie op het werk centraal. Het spel is bedoeld voor vrouwen die aan hun carrière willen werken en voor organisaties die meer vrouwen aan de top willen. Het spel bestaat uit kennisvragen, cases en reflectievragen, en wordt gespeeld onder deskundige begeleiding van een beleidsmedewerker van E-Quality. E-Quality is hét Nederlandse kenniscentrum voor emancipatie, gezin en diversiteit. Het geeft betrouwbare informatie en objectieve adviezen aan de overheid en maatschappelijke organisaties.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is currently seeking a Gender Action Plan Coordinator (1 year contract with potential to extend) for its headquarters in London. EBRD wishes to engage a Co-ordinator at a senior level who will assist the Bank, and particularly its Gender Steering Group in implementing its Gender Action Plan (GAP). The Bank’s Gender Action Plan seeks to increase the economic participation of women, particularly in business and in decision making roles in its countries of operation.The vacancy description can be found via the following link, which will also allow interested candidates to apply directly: ebrdjobs.com. Closing date is 12 September 2008.

Source: Susan Aaron, 31 July 2008 in WomanCo

Trying to find a company that will meet your changing needs as a woman? According to experts, you need to investigate how the organization supports its workers, particularly its female workforce. Jan Shubert, associate director for Babson College’s Center for Women in Leadership, suggests you investigate “anything that helps you get a picture of how they look at and value women.” Shubert and other experts say the clearest picture will emerge as you research corporate culture, company leadership, and policies and programs aimed at promoting women, respecting workers and their individual rights, and providing family support. So how do you obtain the information you need to evaluate these areas? Start your detective work with these 11 strategies...

Job Day Europe is an information and recruitment event. Everybody is warmly welcome and the access is totally free.There are lots of jobs on offer (more than 50 employers present!), jobs that give the opportunity of travelling to work in another country in Europe or even further away. You may also choose to stay in Brussels to work for a multi-cultural company or within an organisation directly linked to the European institutions. Advice : DO SOME RESEARCH TO GET THE BEST OUT OF THE DAY by looking up regularly what job vacancies and workshops are available from September on www.jobdays.eu. Join us on: Saturday 27 September, from 10:00 to 17:00, Berlaymont Building – European Commission, Schuman Square - Brussels.