Taking Stock Seminar (29 May)

The aim of the Taking Stock Seminar of 29 May (NL) is to engage in a dialogue with experts as well as those who take an interest in gender, but for whom gender is maybe indirectly part of their work, and not necessarily their main expertise. The seminar builds on insights from the five papers that are being prepared right now. These papers address the practice of gender mainstreaming policies in Dutch development organisations as well as development studies within universities. They also reflect in a more theoretical sense on the concept of gender mainstreaming. Finally, attention is paid to gender in the Paris Declaration and Accra Agenda for Action.

Women's empowerment and gender equality came centre stage at the Beijing Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995. Almost fifteen years later, the strategy of gender mainstreaming seems to have brought mixed results. The On Track with Gender trajectory seeks to look into what has been achieved and what can be learned.
Where has the strategy of gender mainstreaming taken us? In what ways has this strategy been successful in addressing women's empowerment and gender equality? What difficulties have been encountered in the formulation of policies, and especially in their implementation? What lessons can be learned, and what is the way forward? We hope to identify critical issues for the future of gender policy and mainstreaming. In order to be able to learn these lessons, it is necessary to take stock of contemporary and recent experiences and practices. You are invited to take part in this Taking Stock exercise at a SEMINAR at May 29th 2009.

The aim of the Open Seminar is to engage in a dialogue with experts as well as those who take an interest in gender, but for whom gender is maybe indirectly part of their work, and not necessarily their main expertise. We hope to bring a broad audience together: policymakers, practitioners, researchers, consultants and women's activists, and others. The Taking Stock SEMINAR builds on insights from the five papers that are being prepared right now. For more information on the content of the papers, click here.

The Taking Stock SEMINAR is the closing event of the first phase of the On Track with Gender trajectory. The insights and lessons from this Expert Meeting will also be shared at the Taking Stock seminar on Friday afternoon.

During the Seminar, two key note speakers will reflect on where we are with respect to gender mainstreaming in international cooperation. The main insights from the papers will be shared, and so are the plans for the future. Participants will be invited to take part in future initiatives of the On Track with Gender trajectory. There will be ample space for debate with the speakers and other participants.

Do you want to know more about the current state and the future of gender mainstreaming? You are most welcome to join at 29th of May! For registration, click here.