Date 27th January 2012
NOTE to the file
Subject:Presentation of Ms Madi Sharma, Henri Malosse and Beatrice Ouin
It is always an honour to represent the EESC as a speaker, but it is a double honour to speak at the Jean Monet Association and understand why Women are crucial to securing a strong European Union.….even though there are many, including members in the Committee who disagree!!!
Mr Malosse and Mrs Ouin both representing their French organisations gave presentations on the value of women in society and in the workplace, giving the relevance of EU policies and historical timelines, and the role of the Committee.
As I was the last speaker of the day and speaking alongside the Parliament and the Commission who did an excellent presentation on EU policies and instruments to support gender equality, I chose to speak from a personal perspective and on gender discrimination. I brought in the context of several EESC opinions and why it was essential to have the female voice around the table and in the decision making process. I specifically raised the issues of participatory governance, the year of the citizen, the protection of children from sexual abuse, domestic violence and the impact of austerity measures on society.
Surprisingly Jean Monnet did not have any women on his team when he founded the European Union with his colleagues ….but apparently he did have a good woman behind him! Fortunately times have changed and women now have a voice, although we often still have to shout to be heard !
The chair of the debate, Isabella Benoliel from the European Commission and President of the Jean Monnet Association said she knew the Committee well and that it did some brilliant work and that she hoped that women would focus much more prominently in the Committee in the near future as it represented civil society !
As an entrepreneur however, my greatest learning of the day - and for me probably the best example of the value of entrepreneurship to society – was that Jean Monnet was an entrepreneur ……no skills, no qualifications, no training ……but an ability to build a strong union of countries to bring peace and security to a region. ….He is truly one of the fathers of Europe
……but now I think now there is an opportunity for another entrepreneur to take up the new challenges ….perhaps it’s time for a Mother of Europe!!
I am an entrepreneur, I have no skill, no qualifications, no training ……..Ummmmm ….an opportunity???
Madi x
Copies: Henri Malosse
Group 1 Secretariat
SOCSection president
SOC Secretariat
Mr Westlake
Mr Nilsson
Isabella Benoliel
Beatrice Ouin