Support gender action in HORIZON 2020

Throughout the 2012 policy makers will negotiate the EC proposed framework for HORIZON 2020, leading to its approval by the EU Council and Parliament. The proposed framework makes explicit reference to the importance of the gender dimension.  It states that Horizon 2020 "....should aim at promoting equality between men and women in research and innovation, by addressing in particular the underlying causes of gender imbalance, by exploiting the full potential of both female and male researchers, and by integrating the gender dimension into the content of projects in order to improve the quality of research and stimulate innovation”. A specific gender equality article has been included as part of the proposed structure, Article 15, which states that:  “Horizon 2020 shall ensure the effective promotion of gender equality and the gender dimension in research and innovation content”.  
At the end of last year, genSET presented the Manifesto for Integrated Action on the Gender Dimension in Science and Innovation to the Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science, Maire Geoghegan-Quinn. This Manifesto is the result of the public consultation run in conjunction with the Gender Summit.  We invite you to sign it by going to http://bit.ly/rLS7cn as an expression of your support and to ensure that the gender dimension remains firmly integrated within HORIZON 2020 framework and programme.

Letting Go

When you care about something or someone letting go is a difficult thing to do.  Stepping back and letting a loved one make their own mistakes is never easy.  At times we feel frustrated because no matter how much we talk to them and provide our wisdom, they continue down the same path that we might feel is the wrong one.  This creates tension in the relationship and sometimes a breakdown in communication.

At times you might even feel angry and as women we might feel the urge to protect and guide, but will find that the object of our concern is not willing to be guided.  This reminds me of that song ¨Wide Open Spaces¨ which talks about having wide open spaces where she can make big mistakes and just like her mother once left her parents to make her own life, she is now leaving.  Human beings have free will not given by men, but a higher power and no man or woman has the right to take that away.  It´s difficult at times to sit on the sidelines and see our young loved ones make choices that we in our wisdom would not make, but they can´t learn from our mistakes, they can´t, just like we couldn´t learn from other people´s lives. If we don´t sit on the sidelines and let them excercise their free will, we run the risk of stifling them or breaking down the connection to them.

I think a lot, I examine my life and others, my mistakes and others and I come up with conclusions, with my own wisdom and this makes it even harder to accept that I don´t have all the answers that I need to just listen and back away.

Positive Thinking

"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve." ~Napoleon Hill

Of all the authors about positive thinking one of the first ones I read and I still love his wisdom is Napoleon Hill the author of "Think and Grow Rich."  He is widely recognized as the founder of modern personal success literature. His book to me is not only about acquiring financial success, but living a wealthy life.  A life full of hope and getting you want.  I read Napoleon Hill when I was living in Miami at a time when I need it direction.  I have read it many times over my life.  I just can't get over all the wisdom in the book and when ever I feel I need a pick me up I read it and it does just that lift my spirits.

In his book "Keys to Success" he outlines the 17 principles of success.  Here is the first one Definiteness of Purpose: "Don't be like a ship at sea without a rudder, powerless and directionless.  Decide what you want, find out how to get it, and then take daily action toward achieving your goal.  You will get exactly and only what you ask and work for."  You can find the 17 principles in beautiful scrolls at the Napoleon Hill Foundation website.  I downloaded them to my screen saver that way I can have daily reminders.

I also signed up for his Daily Inspiration, so that I can receive his quotes in my email.  One of my favorite quotes of his is: "

Hold On to Hope

Today I had lunch with a friend who is having way too many problems, financial, marriage, children, but they are not from today, they are continuous.  The more I would try to guide her toward a solution the more she assured me there was none.  After I was with my friend I felt depleted of energy and a little more negative than I had started the day. At times I wondered am I like that with my own life. You know what helps me, reading positive quotes, books, affirmations, listening to positive speeches.  I can literally get myself out of a slump by filling myself with positive feedback.

There is a crisis, it's hard to ignore that there is, but do we need to hear how much the unemployment is rising, how much big corporations are not paying their share of taxes, how much unrest there is in the world day in and  day out.  I am not proposing that we ignore what is going on around us, I am just saying what if we all began to see the glass half full and continued trying to improve our lives.  Wouldn't that help make things better.  How does it help that we listen to the media with their dooms day story until we can't see straight and we get depressed.

It sure doesn't help me.  So lately I have surrounded myself with positive quotes all over my house, in my purse in my nightstand.  I listen to Suze Orman on my ride on the Metro.  I listen to Stephen Covey when I get insomnia and I can't sleep.  Hold on to hope, it will help Weaweather the storm.

International Women's Day 2012

This March 8th is International Women's Day 2012.  There are various events taking place all over the world.  At their website International Women's Day you can search for events that are being held in your area.

I liked this event in particular.  Join me on the Bridge - This is the third year that women from congo and Rwanda joined together on the bridge connecting their two countries, showing that they could build bridges of peace and hope for their countries.  This action became a worldwide movement and this International Women's Day thousands of people will show that they are with the women of Afghanistan, Iraq, Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan and other war-torn countries.

Go to their website and look for an event in your area and stand with these women to give them strength and to show we support their demands for peace and equality. Women are peace builders and with equality at the peace negotiation tables and governing bodies of their countries they will build a more peaceful world.  Stronger women are building the bridges of peace for our future. With your support we will be even stronger.

If you are interested in watching some videos about the International Women's Day celebrations you can find them on Youtube Intenational Women's Day