Upcoming activity

Women in contemporary society
The ladder of inequalities
01 - 07 April 2007

This seminar will raise the ground for development of the new approach to the current situation related to gender that we have developed following up the existing work in the past. The “ladder of inequality” is following the progress of the women in the society from home, school (education), work, decision making (politics, business, schooling) and public life. In Eastern Europe woman is traditionally placed in a narrow circle of her home and family; choosing to follow her ambitions she is often considered with a negative connotation.

New Projects

Finally, on Friday afternoon, we faced the last challenge of the seminar (if you do not take into consideration the alcohol that had to be broken down during the following night): the conception of new projects.

There was an instant agreement on the location in the plenary: Prague or some place at the Mediterranean, during the summer, of course. Concerning the topics, however, a wide range of ideas was presented: from direct action and campaigning in the streets to a youth exchange and from crime and punishment models to feminist theory. In the end the different suggestions became established by developing our new projects:

1. A 10 days exchange between the Turkish and the Armenian community taking place at locations related to the issue. With lectures and workshops the participants should come to terms with history and contemporary problems such an overexaggerated nationalism should be tackled.

2. A seminar “Express yourself-gender equality in communication” which enhances the rhetorical and communicative skills adopting the gender perspective

3. Another seminar focusing on feminist research and promoting “Feminism as a global issue”

4. A five days exchange on the issue of active civil participation.This exchange should take place preferably in Bulgaria and might involve local people in a street campaign.

So let us hope that these concepts will become reality – see you there!

History of women

The life history of women was one of the more informal and individual parts of the seminar. We had been asked to explore the life of a woman of our choice taking into consideration her generation, class, religion, geographical situation, education and social background in general. Divided into two groups we shared this information in a relaxed atmosphere on the terrace and in the park.

Amongst the women chosen there were famous ones as well as ordinary women: a politician, a professor, a case from the Turkish media on the one side, close relatives, mothers and friends on the other. All of them had to face different obstacles dependent on their education, financial conditions, their societies' traditions and their social and geographical context. Yet, nearly all of these women had made sacrifices for their families or children to a smaller or larger extent and if they had achieved some of their goals it had taken them some effort.

During the following discussion it became clear that a woman's situation is also influenced by the fact whether she is living in Western or Eastern Europe – even if there is no general picture discernible. The arguments even related to more controversy issues such as the role of the welfare state and the economical system and how they affect gender inequality.

I personally think that this session showed us once again how various and complex the problems and discriminations are and how privileged er are in comparison to most other women.

The Arandelovac Menu

As a starter we recommend:
Cabbage salad. Or lettuce. Or cabbage salad.
Alternatively: cabbage salad.
(secret recommendation: There might be some vinegar left if Hanna hasn't taken it all)

When it comes to the main course you have two options:
Either you are a vegetarian. Well, bad luck. But you can be sure to find some variation of soya on your plate. By adding different quantities of pepper and salt you may even vary the taste. If you are lucky it might even be surrounded by some vegetables.
(secret recommendation: From time to time there is an onion hidden in your meal. Ask Anna how to find it.)

If you eat meat you have a variety of options: Steak, Vienna Schnitzel, Fish, Goulasch, Sauce Bolognese, Meat Balls or Hot Dogs (don't worry, they just LOOK like plastic). Usually you will be served something yellow with it. This may either be fries, rice or potatoes. In case you can't identify it at all it will probably be pasta.
(secret recommendation: Do not try to avoid greasy and oily liquids floating on your meal. It is impossible anyways.)

As a desert you will receive some fruit or cake.
(secret recommendation: If you still haven't found anything edible do not forget the staples of bread on your table.)

This is usually the point of time where you will be asked what to drink. So, go for jedno pivo!

Some general advice:
• If you do not speak Serbian, look for a person who does. Quickly. Otherwise, communication may prove to be difficult.
• If there are no spoons just have your cornflakes with a fork, it's possible! (For further advice, ask Hector.)
• If you feel bad because you covered everything in stains, look to Nikola. He may look worse.
• If you feel bored during your meal just listen to Horia's laughter or look at Omar's face. His horrified look when seeing his chicken will cheer you up.

You are finished???
Congratulations!!!
You have survived the GULAG !!!

10 different ways of saying I'M COLD

1. It was SO cold!
2. It was freeeeeeezing!
3. I thought this morning that it would be warmer – I felt cheated!
4. * coughing....coughing.....coughing *
5. I didn't know I was going to die in Serbia...
6. I onIy had three blankets!
7. I thought this place was Serbia, not Siberia!
8. I don't want to be a casualty!
9. I have a heating for decoration in my room.
10. Was it warmer last night? - No, for those who felt it, no.

Quotes

• Hector (talking about Spanish Green Youth): We were born two years ago.
• Anna (talking about the Finnish Young Greens): It is an umbrella organisation.
Teo (quietly and surprised): What???
• Mirjana: We've got good relations with the libraries – we are getting children from them.
• Marie: Who is for violence against women?
• Teo: I don't trust women!
• (Omar is carrying two big bottles of beer through Belgrade) “Omar, you look like an alcoholic!” - “Well, I've got two Finnish people next to me...”
• Hanna: This is why we had a patriarchal system: because women had the brains and men had the swords!

CHECK out the PHOTOS from the EVENT here

Call for the PARTICIPANTS

Dear friends,
CDN - Cooperation and Development Network Eastern Europe (www.cdnee.org) is announcing a call for participants of the seminar "Women in contemporary society - the ladder of inequalities". This project will take place from 1st to 7th of April 2007 in Belgrade, Serbia and is part of the European Youth Campaign for Diversity, Human Rights and Participation "All Different, All Equal" (www.alldifferent-allequal.info).

This event has been, so far, financially supported by the Council of Europe, European Youth Foundation and the Green Forum, Sweden.

Please find bellow the call for the participants and the application form.

DEADLINE for submitting the application to info@gender.cdnee.org is 20th of January 2007 at 14.00 CET.

With best regards,

Stevan Petrovic
Network Coordinator

CDN-Cooperation and Development Network Eastern Europe
Address: Ljubinke Bobic 21, 11070 Novi Beograd, Serbia and Montenegro
Telephone: +381 11 323 9486, Mob: +381 63 34 68 54, Fax: 381 11 323 9486 E
mail: office@cdnee.org, web site: www.cdnee.org

Call for the PREP TEAM 2

Dear friends,
CDN - Cooperation and Development Network Eastern Europe (www.cdnee.org) is announcing a second call for members of the international preparatory group (prep team) of the seminar "Women in contemporary society - the ladder of inequalities". This project will take place from 1st to 7th of April 2007 in Belgrade, Serbia and is part of the European Youth Campaign for Diversity, Human Rights and Participation "All Different, All Equal" (www.alldifferent-allequal.info).

The call with complete information about the event, role of the prep team as well as the application form can be found attached. It is also available at CDN Gender Group web site: www.gender.cdnee.org.

DEADLINE for submitting the application (filled in form attached to the call) to info@gender.cdnee.org is 4th of December 2006 at 12AM CET.

With kind regards,

Stevan Petrovic
Network Coordinator

CDN-Cooperation and Development Network Eastern Europe
Address: Ljubinke Bobic 21, 11070 Novi Beograd, Serbia and Montenegro
Telephone: +381 11 323 9486, Mob: +381 63 34 68 54, Fax: 381 11 323 9486 E
mail: office@cdnee.org, web site: www.cdnee.org

Call for the PREP TEAM

Dear friends,

CDN Gender Group is organizing a seminar called” Women in Contemporary Society – the ladder of inequalities” from 1st – 7t of April in Belgrade, Serbia. This seminar is a pilot project organized in the frame of the European Youth Campaign for Diversity, Human Rights and Participation “All Different, All Equal”.

This seminar is the follow up of the work Gender Group has done over the last two years.

If you are interested in giving your contribution and being a part of the preparatory team for this event, please fill in the application form and send it to the info@gender.cdnee.org .
The deadline for the applications for the prep-team is the 27th of November 2006.

All additional information related to this event you can find on the following addresses:

www.cdnee.org and www.gender.cdnee.org

Only fully filled application forms will be considered!

The results of the selection will be announced by the 4th of December 2006.

Looking forward to receiving many applications!!!

CDN Gender Group