2. ATHENA - Association for Education and Development of Women, Ostrava, Czech Republic1 ATHENA – Association for Education and Development of Women Aims and activities

3. ATHENA - Association for Education and Development of Women, Ostrava, Czech Republic2 WHO ? ATHENA is a non- governmental organisation for adult education of women.

4. ATHENA - Association for Education and Development of Women, Ostrava, Czech Republic3 WHY ? Women have to overcome various barriers for the achievement of their wishes and aims – both at the labour market and in the family life. The empowerment of women to have equal opportunities is possible only through their education and personal and social development.

5. ATHENA - Association for Education and Development of Women, Ostrava, Czech Republic4 WHERE ? ATHENA is situated in Ostrava, Czech Republic, in the region Moravia-Silesia. The restructuralisation of this region is connected with a high rate of unemployment.

6. ATHENA - Association for Education and Development of Women, Ostrava, Czech Republic5 WHAT ? ATHENA brings various activities for women who would like to improve their professional career and/or find an optimal balance between a family life and a career. Most important are : adult education, consultancies, guidance and individual tutoring.

7. ATHENA - Association for Education and Development of Women, Ostrava, Czech Republic6 Exchange of experience It is very useful to exchange of experience among partners from other countries – projects of European cooperation. Participation in projects : -Socrates/Grundtvig -Leonardo da Vinci -Equal

8. ATHENA - Association for Education and Development of Women, Ostrava, Czech Republic7 Dissemination Dissemination and implementation of examples of good practices : Empowerment of self-confidence and self- esteem Development of new competencies Improvement of long-term skills

9. ATHENA - Association for Education and Development of Women, Ostrava, Czech Republic8 Local network Local partners are very important for the achievement of ATHENA´s aims and for a better impact of transfer of European know- how Personal involvement of decision-makers of the regional and national policy in adult education.