1. CREATING SYNERGIES FOR BENCHMARKING GENDER NATIONAL POLICIES: ROLE OF THE HELSINKI GROUP AS A STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK AND ITS FEEDBACK Mioara Florica Tripsa, ENWISE expert, Romania

2. European Commission instruments of creating synergies for producing gender equality in European Research Gender Watch System Collect information from independent experts & ordering reports (ETAN, WIR, ENWISE) Support for forum of discussions, sharing experience, networks, conferences (HELSINKI GROUP) Collecting statistical data ASSESSMENT Process of evaluation of incoming data

3. Results Gender requirements in FP6 actions of mainstreaming  To improve the equal opportunities  To improve the quality of European policies National Policies recommendations Monitoring the progress Committed the regulations

4. HELSINKI GROUP Set up in 1999 BY European Commission Made by national civil servants and gender experts from EU member states and candidate countries Purpose: to exchange views, experiences and best practices on policies encouraging the participation of women in science at local, regional and European level Meetings: twice a year Activities: provide forum of dialogue about the national policies, share experience and explore the way in which the skills and expertise of women scientists could be best secure and improved; national statistical correspondents Production: national reports; European reports

5. ENWISE sources :  Commission papers, reports  Helsinki Group reports  Existing national data  Identified national data  International reports, papers  Internet sources  Personal communications

6. HELSINKI GROUP ROLE IN BENCHMARKING THE GENDER NATIONAL POLICIES  Planning strategies  Implementation of strategies  Support actions

7. BENCHMARKING THE GENDER NATIONAL POLICIES Planning strategies  Define a strategy  Define the gender information components  Define the Management of the gender information related to the research skills  Communicate the Management to the Universities and Research Centers  Define the management of Human resources  Ensure the Compliance with EU Requirements (HG !!!)  Assess the risks (SWOT Analysis)  Define the Management of the projects  Define the Management of the Quality

8. BENCHMARKING THE GENDER NATIONAL POLICIES Implementation of strategies  Identify the solutions  Acquire and maintain an adequate infrastructure  Develop and maintain the procedures  Introduce the system of Assessment and Accreditation

9. BENCHMARKING THE GENDER NATIONAL POLICIES Support actions  Define and develop the Service/consultancy levels  Monitor the performance capacity  Compare results at national level with EU level or others  Evaluate the feedback effects and correct the action plans

10. Is it recognized the real value of the Helsinki Group delegates and their important role in benchmarking the gender national policies?

11. ENWISE recommendations Clustered around different partners to ensure the improvement of the situation facing women scientists in ENWISE countries European Commission: The Commission should continue to support the Helsinki Group, the Helsinki Group delegates being asked to submit regular reports with up-to-date information on the situation of women scientists in their respective countries R&D National Policy Makers: The representation of the ENWISE countries in the Helsinki Group should be revisited in order to maximize the added value of the Helsinki Group activities in the national context.