March 23, 2021

The following is a press release:

26 March, 9.30 a.m. - 1.30 p.m.

with the Mayor of the Metropolitan City of Bologna Virginio Merola

the President of the European Parliament David Sassoli

the European Commissioner for Equality Helena Dalli

This event, organised by the Metropolitan City of Bologna in cooperation with the Capo D network and with the support of the European Committee of the Regions, aims to provide an opportunity for dialogue between institutions, businesses, schools and associations that is open to all. It is an opportunity to discuss practicable positive action for fostering equal opportunities between women and men and to exchange good practices.

This "local dialogue" will see experts from the academic and institutional world provide an overview of the actions and measures that are being adopted at European and national levels to address the developments and changes currently affecting the world of work – especially for women in the workplace – which the pandemic has made even more fragile and vulnerable.

By examining studies and research undertaken in various disciplinary fields, such as those that will be presented by speakers at the event, a holistic view of the current situation can be formed and work can be done to introduce measures that improve areas where gender inequalities and stereotypes still need to be tackled. In showcasing these best practices, the aim is to spur on other public and private bodies wishing to cooperate to strengthen their systems and to contribute to a common strategy of social responsibility from a gender perspective.

"Together let us build a European space for citizenship rights and the right to work for all, giving due consideration to the role of women who, more than others, are paying the price of the pandemic", said Virginio Merola (IT/PES), Mayor of the Metropolitan City of Bologna and member of the European Committee of the Regions.

"I am happy to take part in this event organised by the Metropolitan City of Bologna together with the European Committee of the Regions. We need to reaffirm and promote the gender dimension in social responsibility in the workplace starting from the application of the principle of equality and pay transparency in both the public and private sectors. The pursuit of equality requires a collective commitment and this approach is important both at EU level and in each of the national and regional contexts", said Helena Dalli, European Commissioner for Equality.

"This crisis gives us a great opportunity to support people's dignity, achieve justice for women, and build a European space that will be a benchmark in a world where equality does not find citizenship. And as we have already seen in the response to the crisis, this Europe has the values and resources to do this," said David Sassoli, President of the European Parliament.

The programme is divided into three sessions, and runs from 9.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. At the end of each session, there will be an opportunity for questions from the public who will be able to interact with the speakers. In order to attend the event, please register at this link.

The event is part of a series of "local dialogues" (#localdialogues) on European issues organised and supported by the European Committee of the Regions across the EU which will constitute one of the Committee's contributions to the Conference on the Future of Europe.

The event will be in Italian.

When:

Friday 26 March 2021 | 9.30 a.m. – 1.30 p.m.

Webstreaming:

To register and participate in the debate please complete the form here. A link will be sent to people who have registered a few days before the event.

Further links to follow the live event will be published here.

Guests:

Virginio Merola, Mayor of the Metropolitan City of Bologna and CoR member

Elly Schlein, Vice-president of the Emilia-Romagna Region

Elena Bonetti, Italian Minister for Equal Opportunities and Family

Helena Dalli, European Commissioner for Equality

David Sassoli, President of the European Parliament

Linda Laura Sabbadini, Director of ISTAT (Italian National Institute of Statistic) and chair of Women 20

Simona Robotti, President of the CAPO D network

Vera Gheno, sociolinguist at the University of Florence

Giovanna Cosenza, Professor of Semiotics and Theory of Language at the University of Bologna

Roberto Poli, UNESCO Chair in Anticipatory Systems and coordinator of the Master's programme in Social Foresight at the University of Trento

Programme:

Full agenda here

Contact:

Matteo Miglietta – European Committee of the Regions

Tel. +32 (0)470 895 382

matteo.miglietta@cor.europa.eu

Davide Bergamini – Metropolitan City of Bologna

Tel. +39 051 6598340

stampa@cittametropolitana.bo.it