15th Experts’ Forum Meeting Minutes
15th Meeting of the Experts' Forum
EVENT
PLACE
DATE
STATUS
Draft
Members / Alternates
Jeroen Decuyper (BE), Petia Moeva (BG), Pavla Spondrova (CZ), Stten
Baagoe Nielsen (DK), Waltraud Dahs (DE), Vasiliki Saini (GR), Michele
Palma (IT), Dace Kavasa (LV), Virginija Sidlauskiene (LT), Zsuzsanna
Gerber (HU), Giovanni Xuereb (MT), Catherine Bij de Vaate (NL),
Genevieve Zdrojewski (FR), Ewa Ruminska-Zimny (PL), Albano Manuel
(PT), Maria Ulican (RO), Tanja Salecl (SI), Silvia Porubanova (SK), Minna
Kelhä (FI), Kerstin Alnebratt (SE), Giovani Razzu (UK), Tamara Sterk (HR),
Brigitte Triems (EWL), Willemien Ruygrok (EP).
Absent Countries
Estonia, Cyprus, Spain, Austria, Ireland, Luxembourg.
Observer
Erica Schulze (EP), Katarzyna Ptak (European Commission)
Guests/speakers
Violeta Neubauer
EIGE Staff
Virginija Langbakk (Director), Therese Murphy (Head of Operations),
Barbara Limanowska, Vera Fonseca (Stakeholders and Networking
Coordinator), Christian Veske (Stakeholders and Networking Assistant),
Alexndrina Satnoianu (Operations’ Assistant), Dimitrios Tsoutsias
(Online Communications Officer), Ruta Zvykaite (Administrative Agent).
Topics Discussed:
Welcome by the Director (V. Langbakk)
Adoption of the Minutes of the 14th Experts’ Forum Meeting (V. Langbakk)
Recent developments (V. Langbakk)
Quality Assurance Policy (V.Langbakk)
Managing Internal and External Knowledge (D. Tsoutsias, A. Satnoianu)
Gender Equality Index – 2015 update (A.L. Humbert, Viginta Ivaškaitė-Tamošiūnė, J. Hansen)
White Ribbon Campaign (C. Veske)
Gender Mainstreaming Platform (B. Limanowska)
Gender Equality Glossary and Thesaurus (V. Fonseca)
Presentation of the first draft of a gender equality glossary and thesaurus and methodology
(Violeta Neubauer)
I.
Welcome by the Director
The Director welcomed the participants to the meeting and introduced new members/alternates, namely
Maria Ulican from Romania (alternate) and Ewa Ruminska-Zimny from Poland (alternate).
Apologies were received from Estonia, Cyprus, Spain, Austria, Ireland, Luxembourg
Adoption of the Minutes of the 14th Experts’ Forum Meeting
II.
The draft minutes of the 14th meeting were adopted without changes. The action points from the 14th
meeting were provided before the meeting.
III.
Recent developments (V. Langbakk)
V. Langbakk presented the recent developments in EIGE concerning administrative and operational work.
Closer cooperation with the MB was highlighted as one of the areas of future improvement in EIGE’s work.
The Director informed the EF that she will be regularly reporting to the MB about the issues addressed by
the EF in the recent meetings and asked the members/alternates of the Forum to establish a system of
regular feedback and information exchange with the MB members. V. Langbakk informed about the high
interest of social attaches of all the permanent representations of MS to the EU in EIGE’s work and future
plans to engage them in more structured cooperation.
The Director also presented the results of the competence mapping among the EF members, explaining
how EIGE intends to utilise this in its work. She presented the approach of EIGE in improving internal
cooperation and engagement of staff by creating across-team tasks, which would enable learning from
each other, ensure back-up of scarce personnel resources, and break the silo culture and isolation of some
members of staff who work in very small teams. She invited EF members to consider becoming virtual
members of such new task forces and support the activities with their competence in between the
meetings.
The Director briefed the EF on the re-organisation of EIGE and the establishment of a third unit (Knowledge
Management and Communications).
Action points for EIGE:
-
-
Increase the social attaches’ knowledge of EIGE’s work and the role of its EF through a networking
event, combined with the EP events in October. Develop a proposal and share it with EF by July
2015.
EIGE to send a list of described activities to the EF inviting them to (virtually) join the task forces
according to the area of their competence, and relevant to the Work Programme 2016-2018.
Action point for EF:
-
IV.
EF members are encouraged to commence cooperation with the members of EIGE’s Management
Board from their Member State.
EF members to select and indicate to EIGE the activities they are willing to join based on their
competence, and/or based on an interest to increase their competence, by 15 of May.
Quality assurance policy (V. Langbakk)
V. Langbakk informed about EIGE’s current Quality Assurance Policy which foresees the establishment of a
Quality Assurance Committee, comprised of both external experts and EIGE staff, to check the quality of
studies of above EUR 200 000 in value. EF members are invited to select the areas of EIGE’s work they
would be willing and capable to contribute to in order to have an effective consultation process.
Main suggestions from the Experts’ Forum:
- EF members in general agree to support EIGE in quality assurance process; nevertheless, the scope
of engagement needs further discussion.
- The role for EF members in QA process should be limited to consultation.
- Issues of conflict of interest and transparency to be considered while involving EF members in QA
process, as some members are independent experts working in consultancy field.
- Seeking to improve overall results and quality, it is advisable to involve EF in consultation process at
an early stage before the final deliverables are presented (engagement into the process before the
study is launched would be also very helpful).
Action points for EIGE:
Send out a list of future studies and invite EF to indicate particular areas of EIGE’s work they are
willing to contribute to for QA process.
Clarify the role of EF members in developing the ToR and in the final products.
Prepare and share with the EF a detailed plan of work by September.
Test a mixed group (civil servants + experts)
Involve the EF in improved structure/approach of future research questions.
Acknowledge the contribution of the EF members as members of the task force or as peer review
group.
Action points for EF:
Members of EF are invited to express interest in contributing to the QA of future studies.
V.
Managing internal and external knowledge. Results of evaluation and internal proposals
for the future approach and scope of work of RDC and Eurogender
(Dimitrios Tsoutsias and Alexandrina Satnoianu, EIGE)
D. Tsoutsias presented the status quo and main events in RDC through 2015. Main challenges related to
strengthening partnerships, effective use the physical library in Vilnius, increase usage of online library,
collection of Grey literature were addressed.
A. Satnoianu presented the plan for EuroGender for 2015. Main features and characteristics of the
platform were explained. Future goals and issues related to better use and promotion of EuroGender were
addressed.
Parallel working groups
5.1 Resource and Documentation Centre/D. Tsoutsias
i. Improvement of the partnerships strategy: how to have sustainable RDC partnerships?
ii. Which activities are the best for communicating the physical library?
iii. Which activities are the best for communicating the online library of EIGE?
iv. What should be the future of the grey literature collection in EIGE? What specificactivities should EIGE
perform in 2016–2018 regarding the update and the communication
of the Grey literature collection?
Feedback from the group
-
To prioritize collection of policy documents.
To present the resources of the e-library grouped according to the European Commission’s priorities.
Focus the RDC partnerships on EU-wide bodies not the Member States.
Improve benefits for the users and benefits for the partners.
Focus the collection of the RDC resources on policies, especially at the EU level (e.g. collect and do the
follow-up of all Presidency conclusions).
Continue to serve as Institutional Memory also at the national level.
Collect one area per year.
Engage Experts’ Forum members in establishing partnerships with grey literature and national libraries.
Guide contractors to focus on deeper information collection e.g. contact Universities for collecting
Master’s Theses.
Emphasis on online resources collection.
Expand the range of resources (beyond the years covered so far).
Search results to be presented in a more user-friendly way.
Narrow current scope of collection.
Distribute newsletters more often.
5.2 EuroGender/A. Satnoianu
i. How could EuroGender become more beneficial to EIGE’s teams/projects?
ii. How to promote EuroGender among EU institutions and national gender equality
mechanisms?
iii. What is the best way to engage you more in EuroGender?
iv. What support would you need to regularly post on EuroGender and organise online
discussions in your language?
v. Which are the EuroGender features to be improved and how?
vi. Which of the EuroGender features to be eliminated and why?
Feedback from the group
-
The mission of EuroGender’s Network needs to be more clearly communicated, as do its features
(possibility of uploading files, creating events, etc.).
The platform should become more user-friendly and specific, with an improved search functionality.
Registration form to be shortened.
Possibility of color-tagging various types of events in EuroGender to be considered.
Stronger connection between EIGE web site and EuroGender should be sought (EuroGender should be
streamlined into the website).
Importance of targeted automatic notifications was highlighted.
Experts’ Forum members are committed to engage in EuroGender activities if they receive concrete
requests in advance.
Look into the possibility of creating a block on the homepage highlighting funding availability for NGOs
active in the field of gender equality.
Action points for EIGE regarding RDC:
-
Slow down on collection of data from MS and focus on one area per year.
Collect EU-level grey literature to monitor political development process.
Include Presidency conclusions and other documentation related to Presidency work into RDC
collection.
Put in place Quality Assurance procedure for assessing already collected data.
If possible, collect and process grey literature for the future Presidencies.
Action points related to EuroGender:
-
VI.
Adjustment of interface for a more user-friendly approach.
Plan the contribution of EF members in good time.
Increase the connection between EIGE’s web site and EuroGender.
Analyse the feasibility of using EuroGender for webinars.
Gender equality index 2015 – update (Anne Laure Humbert, Viginta Ivaškaitė-Tamošiūnė EIGE)
Anne Laure Humbert and Viginta Ivaškaitė-Tamošiūnė gave a presentation about the updates of the Gender
Equality Index 2015. Methodological overview was presented and main changes in comparison to Index
(2013) explained. Moreover, updates in several domains as well as satellite domain of violence introduced.
Main suggestions from the Experts’ Forum:
EIGE could add comment about the use of Eurostat data in country profiles in case there are data
discrepancies in national statistics and Eurostat data (Poland’s case).
For the development of Index more indicators could be added: link between people’s perception of
their quality of life and GE could be developed, correlation between specific policies and GE Index
could be looked at (for example, men’s leave arrangements, men’s participation in childcare, etc.).
EIGE should not only focus on comparison of the two Indices: more focus on financial and economic
crisis should be presented.
It is advisable to make analysis of how the first Index was used among Members States.
Jasper Hansen presented communication and dissemination plan for the Index 2015.
Main suggestions from the Experts’ Forum:
The idea to have national events related to the Index launch is supported by the EF, nevertheless more
clear guidance and support from EIGE would be needed to do so. Some EF members suggested approaching
their MEPs with a proposal to host an event on the Index and disseminate such information through the EP
media channels, supported by the engaged MEPs.
Action points for EIGE:
-
Share with EF members the communication strategy for the launch of Index.
Check the possibility of getting the EC representations in the MS cooperate in national Index
launch events.
To prepare press packages for promotion of new Index for the members of the EF. This should
include country specific information as well as explanation of methodology.
Support EF members in arrangement of local events (if any).
Action points for EF:
Send to EIGE media contacts of people who would be interested in communicating about the new Index.
VII.
White ribbon campaign (C. Veske)
C. Veske outlined the basic objectives, activities and partnerships of the White Ribbon Campaign run by
EIGE.
Main suggestions from the Experts’ Forum:
- Merging of national initiatives and EIGE’s campaign might be beneficial and increase awareness.
- EF members and White Ribbon national initiatives could invite EIGE and/or its White Ribbon
ambassadors to their events.
- Employing social media is a cost-effective way to spread the message.
- It would be beneficial to develop unified selection criteria for the ambassadors in particular areas.
- EIGE could develop a specific message for Member States to be clear about expectations from the
EF.
- To be a successful campaign, communities and NGOs need to have a bigger role. Moreover, it
should be initiated by people who are affected by GBV and not have a top-down bureaucratic
approach. EIGE to work on connecting various stakeholders and making overall message stronger.
- WRC should not only be concerned with physical violence: other forms of violence such as
psychological violence and violence in virtual space should be taken into consideration.
- Tailor information and research to particular country needs.
Action points for EIGE:
-
Develop selection criteria for ambassadors of White Ribbon Campaign.
Come with concrete requests to EF members regarding who we want for the campaign from the
Member States.
Action points for EF:
Send EIGE information about recent national campaigns that EIGE could support/get involved in
Connect national WRC ambassadors with EIGE.
VIII.
Gender mainstreaming platform (Barbara Limanowska)
Barbara Limanowska introduced gender mainstreaming online platform to the EF; explained main features
and characteristics of the ongoing project. It was explained that EIGE is focusing on two gender
mainstreaming aspects: integrating gender into policy areas, and integration of gender into institutional
structures (including representation of women in the work force and decision making positions in
institutions) . EF was informed that the platform is to be launched it in autumn this year.
Main suggestions from the Experts’ Forum:
-
EF expressed support to EIGE’s work in the field of gender mainstreaming and advocated for more
developments in the area.
Gender trainers list to be updated indicating specific areas of interest.
Platform should include specific and not only traditional sectors. Economic sectors would be of
particular interest.
It is recommended to give more attention and provide more data in priority sectors.
Action points for EIGE:
-
Send online platform’s validation request to the EF.
Engage EF in the gender mainstreaming platform launch event, if any.
Provide EF with template used to indicate good practices.
Action points for EF:
Cooperate with Management Board members in validation of information provided for online
platform.
Gender equality glossary and thesaurus V. Fonseca, V. Neubauer)
IX.
V. Fonseca briefly presented EIGE’s work on developing a Europe-wide gender equality thesaurus and
glossary in order to update and reinforce commonly used terms in the area of gender equality policy in
Europe.
V. Neubauer gave presentation of the first draft of a gender equality glossary and thesaurus and
methodology. She also presented objectives of the project and the information sources to be used.
The EF discussion was focused on these questions:
i. What steps are needed to finalise the EN version and translations?
ii. How can EIGE ensure de facto acceptance by EU and Member States?
iii. What can be the role of the EF members in promoting this process?
iv. What can be the role of the EF members in presenting the Glossary and Thesaurus at the national level?
Main suggestions from the Experts’ Forum:
-
The need and importance of the project was acknowledged by many members of the EF.
It is recommended to analyse political documents more than five years back.
It was advised to involve Member States in consultation process at regional and national levels.
To add new terms for the glossary.
To establish the project in all languages of the EU.
Action points for EIGE and EF:
- Engage EF in providing other terms to be included into the thesaurus and glossary.
- Provide draft glossary and thesaurus for EF validation.
- Develop a strategy facilitating the introduction of the thesaurus and glossary with the EC and the
EP.
X.
Conclusions and AOB
Action points for EIGE:
Adjust EF sitting arrangement to enable closer seating to the screen and avoid the pillars.
Provide with EIGE’s business cards four members of the EF who expressed interest to have them.