On February 23-26, 2009, the second study trip „EU and gender” to Brussels was organized. Its aim was to present the results and outcomes of the national reports on gender sensitive education which were developed in 2008 by HBF partner organizations from Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia and Ukraine (publication “Gender Issues 2008”); gain knowledge about the last developments in the field of gender equality policies at the EU level, as well as explore how the EU structures and institutions function (e.g. Women’s Rights and Equal Opportunities Committee in the EP) and how they can be used to strengthen implementation of EU gender equality strategy at the national level.

The representatives of HBF partner organizations (Feminoteka (PL), Aspekt (SK), Gender Studies (Cz), Liberal Society Institute (UA), Krona (UA)), Polish and Czech Greens, as well as the HBF itself took part in the event.

According to the trip participants, the meetings with representatives of the European Women’s Lobby, EQUINET and the Green/ EFA Group in the European Parliament were particularly useful. During the event all participants had chance to broaden their knowledge about the structure of European Parliament and its mechanisms through which promotion of gender equality issues is possible at the EU level; got information about the women’s lobbying and cooperation; as well as became aware of the latest achievements in the field of gender equality (i.e. the new anti-discriminatory directive). The trip participants emphasized that both knowledge gained and new contacts made with representatives of the EU institutions and the European organizations will surely be used in their future activity aimed at implementing gender equality politics in the region of Central and Eastern Europe.

Find more in the trip agenda.