WOMEN EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGIES:
INCREASING AWARENESS AND PARTICIPATION THROUGH ICT

WEEST is a European project approved in the framework of the CONNECT Program managed by DG Culture and Education. WEEST aims to increase, through an extensive use of ICT and in particular of the WEB, women's participation in scientific and technological careers, establishing a link between the world of education and employment.

In this way the project will contribute to give a new gender perspective exchanging experiences on Equal Opportunities in scientific education as well as in vocational training and employment.

The project will realise a WEB SITE with an exhibition on line regarding the role of women in the history of science and in scientific research today; a basic framework for teachers in order to exchange pilot experiences in education and vocational training addressed to improve girls participation in science; a dissemination scheme addressed to inform women on the job opportunities existing in the field of science and technology, both in the private and public sectors.

The WEB SITE will also offers the opportunity to create a dialogue on line through women scientists, students, teachers and people involved in the field of equal opportunities, education and employment.

The value of WEEST is mainly linked to its commitment: - to disseminate best practices on equal opportunities in science and technology; - to exchange experiences and innovative approaches in scientific education and training which take into account the gender different styles of learning and the ways of relating to scientific subjects; - to compare different European situations, important issues and challenges of the women's policies (at the European level as well as in different member States); - to encourage women to undertake scientific studies and thereafter to facilitate their access in scientific careers.

The WEEST Project coordinator is: Fondazione IDIS-Città della Scienza (Italy)
The WEEST Project partners are: · ARENOTECH (France/Spain) · Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie (France) · CNDIFF-Centre de Documentation et d'Information des Femmes et de la Famille (France) · IPSIA Bernini (Italy) · IRENE (Italy) · GEA21 (Spain) · Pax Mediterranea (Spain)