Since its foundation the European Community follows the principle of equal treatment of men and women, having the elimination of inequalities and encouragement to treat everybody equally throughout the whole European Community in mind. In addition to provisions of law gender equality policy of the European Union covers specific support measures in the form of action programs.

 

In this context the administrative district Löbau-Zittau initiated in collaboration with the co-operation partners the administrative district Luban (Poland) and Kraj Liberec (Czech Republic) the project "Equal opportunities for men and women in the Euroregion Neisse-Nisa-Nysa: counteracting migration and encouraging immigration" under the patronage of Jürgen Schröder, Member of the European Parliament. The project’s implementation was carried out in the period from December 2006 till March 2008 by the PONTES agency, located in the International Meeting Centre in St. Marienthal.

 

Purpose of the project, funded by the European Commission, was fixing equal opportunities for men and women in the Euroregion Neisse-Nisa-Nysa as integrated guiding principle by:

 

• raising the public’s awareness
• qualifying of disseminators
• linking stakeholders across national boundaries
• initiating an Euroregional group of experts "equal opportunities"
• certifying genders for educational institutions

Four trinational target-group-oriented networks were constituted in this project. They discussed about possible measures to be taken and also recommendations for action for an equal regional development.

 

• women and economy
• women and politics
• women and education
• men and family
• equal opportunity commissioner

The within the framework of the project developed results and approaches have been summed up in the „Marienthal declaration“, which was handed over to the Euroregion’s presidents when the project came to a close. The "Marienthal declaration" forms the foundation for further lasting trinational cooperation. The therefor required structure was created by the Euroregion’s council with the decision to form EUREX „equal opportunities".

 

Marienthal declaration in German, Polish and Czech:

Marienthaler Erklärung            Deklaracja Marienthalska             Marienthalské prohláseni

 

The project was finalised in March 2008, yet the started process for equal opportunites in the Euroregion Neisse-Nisa-Nysa continues. We look forward to you partaking in shaping the work in our networks and contributing to the success of a lasting process.

 

 

For questions and information we remain at your disposal. Do not hesitate to contact us.

 

Funded by the European Community – action program of the Community concerning Community strategy for equal treatment of men and women (2001-2006). The information contained in this publication does not necessarily reflect the opinion or position of the European Commission.