Commission advances women and science
The European Commission, Directorate-General XII, has set up a new sector and a new working group to coordinate action to promote women in European research, as envisaged in the Communication from the Commission on 17 February 1999 (COM(1999) 76 final). The Communication indicated that the measures to be implemented by the Commission will aim to: - Stimulate discussions and exchanges of experience in this field among the Member States; - Develop a coherent approach towards promoting women in research financed by the European Union in the Fifth Framework Programme (FP5) for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration (RTD), to achieve at least 40% representation for women on various bodies while meeting the fundamental criterion of scientific excellence. For the first of these objectives, the Commission has set up a Group of Experts, comprising 12 women scientists, who will produce a final report by the end of October 1999. This is to be submitted for discussion to a group of national civil servants involved in promoting women in scientific research. The Commission is also establishing links with Europe's existing networks of women scientists. It will hold an initial meeting in July 1999 to assess the need for the development of a Europe-wide structure to provide women scientists with the information they need to take part in FP5 and to voice any specific concerns. For FP5, the Commission is aiming to promote research by, for and about women. Major objectives are to have at least 40% participation of women at all levels in implementing and managing FP5 research programmes and to ensure that women obtain at least 40% of Marie Curie Fellowships.