Lisbeth Reed Vest-Agder County Council Department of Regional Development Adviser

1
Lisbeth Reed Vest-Agder County
CouncilDepartment of Regional DevelopmentAdviser

Partnerships, Planning and Projects of Gender
Equality in Agder
Previous occupation woman pioneer telecom
technician (1976-93)
Today advising on regional development/equal
opportunities
2
Vest-Agder One of the 19 counties of Norway

• County responsibilities
• Regional development and planning(including
  gender equality)
• Responsible for upper secondary education
• Functions concerning culture, transport, roads
  communications, support for business activities
  and public health in the region.

3
Agder Two cooperating counties at the southern
tip of Norway
4
Agder and Gender Equality
National statistics shows Agder has special
challenges concering equality status Increasing
focus on gender balance in regional development
and planning. Recognizing that the communities
need the full participation of everybody!
Camilla Collett 1813-95 author and
feminist pioneer, from Kristiansand, Agder.
5
Two Primary Goals for Equality Work in Agder

• The gender equality work is outcome oriented,
  evidence based and coordinated
• There is gender balance in working life in Agder

Uwe Wenk Wolfs sculpture Three fit girls
(Lindesnes municipality)
6
Developing Frameworks for Equal Opportunities

• Changing attitudes from the top down
• Gender perspective in public planning
• Partnerships for gender equality
• Research on gender topics
• Joint funding for research and
• measures (from state and regional
• authorities)

Minister of Children and Equality, Anniken
Huitfeldt, at the opening of Center for Gender
and Equality. September 2008
7
Agder Gender Equality Council

• Participants
• The two counties
• Municipalities
• KS
• Regional state departments
• University of Agder
• Employers association
• Association of trade unions.

Toril Runden, vice mayor of Vest-Agder and
leader of Agder Gender Equality Council
8
Center for Gender and Equality,University of
Agder
The center aims to collect and develop research
results and competency concerning gender and
equality, and to be a driving force for equality
in Agder. The center is a cooperative project
between the University of Agder, Agder research
Foundation and the Agder region.

9
Developing frameworks for equal opportunities

• Changing attitudes from the bottom up
• Mobilizing boys and girls as agents for change
• Focusing on content/pedagogy in kindergartens
  and schools
• Focusing on content/pedagogy in the teachers
  education

Hokus Pokus kindergarten, at the University of
Agder The male employees 30 of the staff!
10
Free Choice the 10 year commitment for gender
equality
Focusing on boys and girls all the way from
kindergarten to university. Building
self-esteem, courage and competency to choose
education and career regardless of gender
11
Thank you for your attention!
Participation in two EEA-projects on
Reconciliation