“Women’s Career for a Lifetime”Project of the AWCDH

to empower Older Women in Decision Making and the Media

by Andrea Ferenczi,President

of the Association for Women’s Career Development in Hungary

 Roundtable titled “Women and Ageing – Older Women Count”

4 November 2014Palais des Nations Geneva

Geneva NGO FORUM – Beijing +20 UNECE Regional Review 

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THE ASSOCIATION FOR WOMEN'S CAREER DEVELOPMENT IN HUNGARY (AWCDH)FOUNDED IN 2003

OUR GOALS

- to help promote women’s equality • by working with and fostering the cooperation between organizations dealing with women’s issues• by taking an active role in the formulation of a common platform• and helping to promote equal opportunities for women• active in all major sectors of life - to advance the dialogue• between legislation, government, the profit and non-profit spheres, higher education,

and all potential stakeholders of AWCDH • in order to meet economic, social, cultural and educational challenges. - Representation of the interest of special women’s groups as employees such as:• integration of fresh graduates into the labour market• inclusion and/or continued employment of women returning from maternity leave• support of the careers of women above 50• improving employment chances of women with disabilities• women’s employment in the ICT sector

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WE ADOPTall positive foreign best practices within a Hungarian framework WE ARE GOING TO PRESENTexemplary Hungarian practices abroad by utilizing our networkwithin the European Union and the United Nations WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITYto cooperate in the work of UN/ECOSOC as the first Hungarian NGO with “Special consultative status withUN-ECOSOC”, gained in 2009.This circumstance makes our cooperation in the fields of European relations and global issues like gender equality, women’s rights and women’s employment more effective.

THINK TANK

The dedicated members of AWCDH, well trained professionals in their respective fields, are putting their knowledge and expertise in the service of the goals set by the Association.

A Forum of knowledge transfer with the participation of organizations interested in an increase in employment and the realization of gender equality (EU, government, economic and non-profit sector, scientific sphere, media) as a basis for an increase in women’s employment and a more characteristic representation of gender equality, thus contributing to the expansion of the labour market, its greater effectiveness, and the strengthening of economic competitiveness.

The AWCDH formulates and publicizes its views regarding women’s employment on Hungarian, EU and UN levels.

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OUR STRATEGIC PROJECTS

I. EU Project

The Association for Women’s Career Development in Hungary has been implementing the „TRAME-Transferring Competencies through Self-Narration and Mentoring Process” Project

(hereinafter called „the TRAME Project”) based on its winning proposal for the Lifelong Learning Program – the Grundtvig Adult Education Program of the European Union

with German, Turkish, Irish and Maltese partner organizations between August 2013 and June 2015.

II. Foundation of Awards 

“Women’s Career Lifetime Achievement Award” founded in 2013 for the 10th Anniversary of the AWCDHBest Workplace for Women Award” founded in 2007

“Award for Women’s Equality” founded in 2007“Local Governments for Equality Award” 2005/2006

 III. Organization of Conferences

The AWCDH has organized over 30 international conferences as well asmany meetings and workshops since its foundation.

IV. Websites in Hungarian and English

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OUR ORGANIZATION 

90 members(yearly max. 5 candidates are awarded membership)

7 board members

Articles Association: www.womenscareer.org

Representation in all regions of Hungary

International representations: EU, UNUSA, Belgium, Ireland, Netherlands, UK, Germany, Italy, Slovakia, Spain, Turkey, Israel.

Chapters: Local governments and Regional Development, Youths, Ageing, Disabled, Education,

Corporate, Media, Sport, Culture, Health, Tourism, International Relations. 

Tom Lantos Memorial Committee

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THE “WOMEN’S CAREER FOR A LIFETIME” PROJECT OF THE AWCDHSINCE 2009

RATIONALE FOR THE PROJECT

The issue of demographic ageing in Hungary The proportion of older people is growing, and the state of their health is poor.Life expectancy of women outstrips that of men by 6-7 years. (72-78,8)It is of paramount importance that we draw the awareness of women to the need to continue living active and healthy lives.

Older Women in Decision making Compared to their number and their potential older women’s participation in economic and social decision-making is not significant yet. The main reason might be that most of them consider themselves as losers of the change of regime of 1989-1990, their self-esteem has diminished.The stakeholders have not paid attention to this group yet, who represent large reserves and potential in the long run.Their skills and competence need to be updated in order for older women to become a pull factor in society.

Where do Older Women take an active role?

In rural development:cementing rural communities, in boosting local economies, in helping to sustain development and in the preservation and proliferation of culture and traditional family values

In small local governments they have a chance to take up (non-lucrative) positions

In the family businesses and family decision making:In the field of business in Hungary, in a large number of small and family businesses, these women can survive as active entrepreneurs or provide the background for the members of their families.

In the family:They have an important role in the family. They care for their families, for their children, their parents and grandchildren.The play an active role in family decision making,especially in terms of family consumption, use of services, and household management. Compared to average Hungarians, they are stable consumers.

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Older Women in the Media 

Older women are strongly underrepresented in the media.

 Perception and Reality

• We get older, older men are more charming …

• As a labor force our competitiveness is declining

• As consumer we are not in the focus, the ads do not call to us

Typical Appearance of Older Women in the Media

• as pensioner

• as grandma

• as caring housewife

• as possible consumer:

of senior homes

of food and goodies for the family

of medicines and health products for older people (like “Corega”)

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THE AIM OF OUR WOMEN’S CAREER FOR A LIFETIME PROJECT To give older women, the baby-boomers generation and tomorrow's older women the opportunity to:•stay in the workforce and share their experience •keep playing an active role in society, participation in volunteering •to prepare consciously for a longer, healthier and more meaningful life.

Those societies where knowledge and life experience are valued assets, the older people are more involved in the decision making process.  To learn best practices, exchange of experiences:The AWCDH has relevant domestic as well as international experience. We have ongoing cooperation with Older Women Europe and AGE Platform Europe, as well as Slovakian, Polish and US NGOs in order to help ensure equal opportunities and to help expand the activity opportunities of elderly women. To strengthen the general understanding, approach, acceptance and inclusion between participants coming from different countries, who will subsequently popularize and make use of the information gained at the conferences in their respective countries and closer communities through both formal and informal channels.

To establish good media relations• The media has an important role in presenting older women as a valuable but discriminated group and in calling attention to the need to support their participation in the labor market as well as their vital role in the family and all fields of society. • We need to introduce interesting, valuable issues and role models and we have to identify those media which find our activities worthy of dealing with. We also have to find those women in the media who are interested or even personally involved in the issue.

Our Tasks: To raise awareness of the need to support participation of women above 50 in the labor market and to call attention to the importance of the role of older women in the family as well, because these women, popularly called the “sandwich generation”, must continue to care for their children on the one hand, and their parents and grandchildren on the other.  Activate, motivateIt is of vital importance that older women should not write themselves off, but recognize that they have an indispensable role in the labor market, society as a whole, and in the lives of their families.But the feeling of being needed, the "feeling of usefulness” calls for lifelong learning, self-improvement, and motivation.

Honor and involvement, as long as possibleThere exists in Hungary a highly skilled professional and competitive group of 50-60 + women and men especially in the fields of science, economy, culture, etc. who are willing and able to continue their contribution to their fields of knowledge and competence. Their recognition, appreciation, proper remuneration and inclusion in economic and social development should be of first priority!

To raise awareness of the shortage of labor to be expected in the labor market in the long run

Due to the demographic problems and the migration of young people to the West:• Qualified and experienced people will be needed especially in the fields of engineering, healthcare, IT and other fields requiring special skills.• Due to a lack of skilled labor, lower-skilled older women will also be needed in the labor market, mainly in the social care system (hospitals, elderly care, schools, family support, etc.) where volunteering will have to be much better organized.

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OUR BEST PRACTICES WITHIN THE FRAMEWORKOF OUR WOMEN’S CAREER FOR A LIFETIME PROJECT

Extensive Cooperation and Task Force:Our Team of Experts:Mrs. Andrea Ferenczi: employment, active aging, UN and EU relationsDr. Valéria Farkasné Molnár: legislations, parliamentary relationsMrs. Gyöngyi Fazekas: self-care, insurance, safetyMrs. Katalin Hajós: mediaMrs. Ildikó Mária Haraszti: aging, andragogy, gerontologyMs. Ildikó Modláné Görgényi: education, training, researchJudit Szöllősy: culture, US relations

We involve:  - women and men of all ages who wish to prepare consciously for a longer, healthier, and more meaningful life. - following stakeholders and sectors: Government, Parliament, local governments, NGOs, media, universities and colleges, commercial and agricultural chambers, corporations, trade unions, employees, rural and regional organizations, professional and tourist organizations, researchers, experts, farmers, producers, diplomats, doctors, artists, social workers and institutions, employment experts, EU and UN experts, as well as other interested in these topics from Hungary and abroad. Our Best Workplace for Women Award (since 2007) ensuring direct corporate network

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EventsWhere 5 generations came together

We have so far organized the following international conferences in the frame of the “Women’s Career for a Lifetime” ProjectThe Themes:Employment, lifelong learning, the situation of rural women, cooperation between generations and communities, the importance of preserving women’s wellbeing, health, women’s self-care, sustainable lifestyles, life values, family models, the role of the media.

In 2014“International Cooperation for Women Above 50” Conference organized in cooperation with Older Women’s Network (OWN),Europe within the frame of the “Women’s Career for s Lifetime” Project of the AWCDH on 31 May 2014 in the Rubin Wellness & Conference Hotel, Budapest.

in 2013• European Cooperation for Women Above 50 – Lessons learnt during the “EU-2012 Year of Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations” on 7 March 2013 in the Rubin Wellness & Conference Hotel, Budapest in 2012 – organized in honor of the European Year of Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations:• Indian Summer Gathering, Consultation on Progress: Older Women’s Issues in the UN and the EU Women’s Career Club Meeting in the Rubin Wellness & Conference Hotel, Budapest on 22 September 2012;• “Health, Beauty, Security” international conference held on 28 June 2012 in the Rubin Wellness & Conference Hotel, Budapest;• “Women’s Careers for a Lifetime”, a joint conference of the AWCDH and the Figyelő (Observer- Business weekly) as well as the Családi Lap (Family Magazine) held on 28 March, 2012 in the Budapest Hilton Castle Hill.

in 2009-2010• “Women’s Careers above 40 and 50” International Conference held on 20 November, 2010 in the Gerbeaud House, Budapest;• “Women’s Career for a Lifetime” International Conference held on 21 May, 2009 in the Hungarian Parliament.  Workshops, trainings, consultations – ongoing

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Our Media Relations We realized that the media has an important role in presenting older women as a valuable but discriminated group and in calling attention to the need to support their participation in the labor market as well as their vital role in the family and all fields of society. Due to our international background and expertise we have started to deal with older women as active participants in society with an eye on international perspectives and within the framework of our Women’s Career for a Lifetime project.Thanks to our contacts with organizations, major among them OWN, AGE, UN organizations, as well as professional relations and an active network of involved friends we have organized international conferences and invited foreign experts and role models from home as well as abroad enabling us to call the attention of the media to our activities.  What can we do?• We need to introduce interesting, valuable issues and role models and we have to identify those media which find our activities worthy of dealing with. • We also have to find those women in the media who are interested or even personally involved in the issue.• We can create our representation on the Internet. What can women do?• We have to emphasize that women above 50 and 60 must also do their share in creating the desired positive image:• They have to train themselves constantly, keep themselves up-to-date, and appear in active roles. • They must also be on good terms with themselves, with the younger generation and the world at large. Our best practiceWe have established a network of journalists specializing on economic and women’s issues:We are keen to keep the media informed and educated, especially our selected contacts. We are calling their attention to trends in the world and deliver them first hand news which could indirectly affect domestic politics and the economy, such as the aging population, employment, sustainability, cooperation of generations, and….first of all: the plight older women…

  

 

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Our accomplishments: 

About 700 participants in our international conferences 

Hungarian and International Expert, Trainer and Speaker database  

Acknowledgments, invitations(E.g. A.F.: Member of the National Level Steering Board of the National Smart Specialization (S3) Strategy)

Videos, presentations, research and surveys 

Operation and Development of Internet networking 

Stronger presence in the media

Introduction of AGE Platform Europe and OWN Europe in the Hungarian media 

Our professional network: 

UN: ILO, WHO, FAO, UNECE, UNESCO 

EU: EP: Committee on Women's Rights and Gender EqualityAGE Platform Europe, OWN Europe, Polish, Slovakian and US NGOs 

In Hungary:National Assembly Committee on Employment and Labour, National Council on Ageing, Ministries, Local Governments, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Hungarian Labor Inspectorate, EBH - Equal Treatment Authority, National Institute for Food and Nutrition Science, Hungarian Central Statistical Office (HCSO) Demographic Research Institute, Gerontology Science Coordination Center, Faculty of Health, University of Debrecen, Hungarian Scientific Association of Rural Health, Crime Prevention Department of the Hungarian National Police, Magyar Vöröskereszt (Hungarian Red Cross), MGYOSZ (Confederation of Hungarian Employers and Industrialists) 

Embassies

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Corporate Partners: Bakonyi Erőmű (Bakony Power Plant), BP European Business Service Centre, ELMŰ (Budapest Electric Works), FŐGÁZ (Budapest Gas Works)CISCO, Citi Bank, GE, Microsoft, Procter&Gamble, SAP, Vodafone Non-profit Partner:

Szépkorúak Idősek Otthona (Nursing Home, Süttő) Media Partners: Axel Springer Magyarország,MediaCity Magyarország Ringier Publishing HungarySanoma Media BudapestHungarian Public MR1 Kossuth RádióHungarian Public TV Channel M1 TV2 commercial TV

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As a result of our efforts of the past 10 years,by long term strategic thinking and hard work

we have ensured that our stakeholders, including the mediashould appreciate our cooperation and working relation and consider us

as a reliable and credible professional source of informationon women’s and older women’s employment issues.

   

GET IN TOUCH WITH: 

Mrs. Andrea FerencziPresident of the Association for Women's Career Development in Hungary

Board member of OWN EuropeUgron Gábor u. 28.

H-1118 Budapest, HungaryPhone: +36 1 319 5245 • Mobile: +36 30 982 7093 • Fax: +36 1 319 2017

E-mail: ferenczi@t-online.huwww.womenscareer.org.

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AWCDH in the MediaThe Hungarian and international media regularly publishes reports about our activities,

while our members are often interviewed as experts in the national media.Coverage in 2013: 13 Radio interviews, 4 Presence on TV, 100 Presence on Internet

Our regular media partners:

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