1. The Concept of the European Platform of Women Scientists An instrument of support and a way to become active in the policy debate Isabel Beuter, M.A. Center of Excellence Women and Science CEWS University of Bonn Poppelsdorfer Allee 15 Fon:+49 - 228 - 73 48 35 DE - 53115 BonnFax: +49 - 228 - 73 48 40 http://www.cews.org

2. CEWS  The Center of Excellence Women and Science CEWS represents what is often referred to as a national node  CEWS is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research  Managing Director of CEWS is Dr. Brigitte Mühlenbruch

3. CEWS Main objectives  increasing the proportion of women in executive positions in science and research significantly  providing an internet platform and information service  increasing the efficiency of measures for equal opportunities at universities, research institutions and in industry

4. CEWS Main objectives  implementing gender mainstreaming as a basic principle and method for all concepts, processes and measures in science and research  developing a national centre for co-operation with the European Commission and the partner countries in the European Union  networking

5. Establishing the European Platform of Women Scientists is part of the European Commission‘s Action Plan on Science and Society (2002)  based on the Study on Networks of Women Scientists  project within FP6, funded by the European Commission  CEWS submitted a proposal for approximately € 2 million and a duration of 28 months The European Platform of Women Scientists

6. The European Platform of Women Scientists acts as a structural link between women scientists and policy makers. It is:  democratic  inclusive  permanent  sustainable  politically active  a non-profit making association with an administrative seat in Brussels The Concept of the European Platform

7. Dual purpose of the Platform  promoting women scientists  engaging women scientists in the policy debate The Concept of the European Platform reflected in the management and decision-making structure comprising three parts  Secretariat of the Platform  Association of Member Networks  Electronic Platform

8. The Concept of the European Platform Organisation Chart of the Secretariat

9. The Concept of the European Platform Secretariat Association Policy Debate Information Promotion of Scientists Structural Reinforcement C o m i tt ee s General Secretary Research Policy Networking Fund Raising Information Management StaffStaff General Assembly Electronic Platform Executive Committee Board of Administration

10. The Electronic Platform  basis for integration and networking  information by and for members (possibility to upload and download documents)  closed spaces for preparation of meetings, for discussions and for virtual meetings  links to other sources of information  presenting the work to the general public The Concept of the European Platform

11. „networking the networks“  pool the experience and expertise existing regionally and nationally  facilitate bench-marking among networks and the exchange of good practice  provide advice for structural reinforcement  extend networking concepts into regions and areas as yet not (sufficiently) covered Promoting Women Scientists

12. Individual Women Scientists  provide targeted information  establish and support contact  facilitate research projects for, by and about women  give a voice to women scientists  provide a database of women scientists  work out means to support measures to promote women scientists Promoting Women Scientists

13.  make women scientists better understand the role they can play in the policy debate  harness the needs, concerns, aspirations and interests of women scientists to develop a coordinated position on specific issues  monitor, evaluate and comment the policy debate  promote the integration of the gender dimension in all areas of European and national research policies Engaging Women Scientists in the Policy Debate

14.  establish and maintain links with other political players, groups, science organisations and women organisations  take an inventory of expert knowledge on questions of women, gender and science  provide experts to boards and panels  contribute to raise general awareness of the women in science issue Engaging Women Scientists in the Policy Debate

15.  CEWS has the support of a Founding Board for the Formative Stage of the European Platform of Women Scientists  all staff positions for the Secretariat will be publicly advertised Let us make the European Platform of Women Scientists a success by working together ! Building the European Platform

16. Thank you! For more information: Center of Excellence Women and Science CEWS http://www.cews.org ibeuter@cews.uni-bonn.de University of Bonn Poppelsdorfer Allee 15Fon: + 49 - 228 - 73 48 35 DE - 53115 BonnFax: + 49 - 228 - 73 48 40