In direct compliance with the European policy of gender impact in the working environment, the Sub-Committee "Gender and Equality" of the EVGN will perform and develop the following measurable activities. This will primarily be a 'gender awareness' programme designed to educate all members of the EVGN on the unspoken societal rules that dictate the role of the different genders in the work place. At the level of early researchers (graduate and less than 4 years after) the participation of women is equal to that of men, however, there is a slight disproportion of gender within the EVGN for the experienced researchers (minimum 4 years after graduate or having a PhD; 34% women), which we will address and remedy. To achieve this aim five solid actions will be performed.
         1) We will distribute to all members a summary of the FP5 Helsinki report on gender issues, which they will be required to read and sign. To supplement this, the full documents along with references to other pertinent websites and documents will be included within the intranet knowledge management system.
         2) We will continue to collect statistics on women's participation in the EVGN research laboratories and provide this information to the EVGN partners.
         3) 'Gender sensitisation' programmes will be performed by gender and society specialists contracted to give seminars on the role of gender in our society and how it subconsciously affects our decisions and actions towards both genders. In each participating Institute such a seminar will be organized. After this 'gender monitors' will be recruited locally for each partner to ensure continued development and increased awareness of gender issues in the workplace. In addition, we will organize seminars on Gender and Equality issues at the yearly Governing Board meetings.
         4) As gender discrimination traditionally results in less women having an active role in the professional environment, special attention will be paid to ensure that extra effort will be performed to recruit more women into the EVGN, specifically in senior and training/ dissemination positions. Gender-balanced participation in the educational program of the EVGN comprising Summer schools and fellowships will allow also young female scientists to profit optimal from the scientific network within the EVGN. We will encourage young women to develop their scientific careers and the female teachers/group leaders will be made aware that they have a responsibility as role model.
         5) We will ensure that there is no gender discrimination in the dissemination of information and documents within the EVGN and that both women's and men's rights are equally respected.

These above activities will be co-ordinated and managed by the project management team to ensure adherence.