The Women Entrepreneurs Association of Turkey (KAGIDER) organized a 2-day-conference with the topic of KAGIDER EU Days on 18 and 19 June 2009 in Istanbul, Turkey. TAGES CEO, Leyla Arsan, has participated to the conference to make a speech on the Best Practices and Lessons Learned in 7th Framework Programme.
The conference specifically focused on the 7th Framework Programme and opportunities for woman participants in the first day, while the second day is more focused on EU policy and civil society support. The conference was supported by the European Union in order to foster the development of civil society dialogue between Turkey and the European Union.
KAGIDER EU Days hosted specifically the women researchers, academicians, business woman and women entrepreneurs. The experts in the field both from Turkeyand Europe have provided valuable information and shared experiences with the participants. TAGES CEO Leyla Arsan has participated to the 1st day session to share her experiences on 7th Framework Programme projects, women participation in the programme comparing Turkey with EU members, the problems faced in the projects and lessons learned from her experiences in projects. She pointed out that although science seemed to be an area dominated by man, there are many women researchers participating in the Framework Programme projects. She specifically emphasized the attributes of women in the Framework Programme projects and how they are more enthusiastic in EU projects and why they generally become more successful. She came to a conclusion that it is because of the fact that women are more willing to devote themselves to long lasting issues and detailed work and they can think and act within a long term and provide sustainability which are the vital points in EU projects while men generally choose short term works where they can immediately see the results in the end.
Moreover, TUBITAK representatives of FP7 Science in Society Theme presented the opportunities for participation in projects and to get funded by the European Union. Francesca Crippa from the European Commission, Research DG, Scientific Culture and Gender Issues Unit, presented the latest She Figures which is a publication on women in science in Europe taking account of proportion of women in total employment, academic career, business, proportion of female researchers, annual growth rate for researchers by sex etc.
The event raised the awareness and deepened the knowledge of the participants on FP7, Europe wide research, women participation in research and coordination, women and civil society within the frame of EU policies.
