The final conference on the FRO (Family Responsible Organizations) Curriculum project took place on the 21st of September 2009 at the European Economic and Social Committee in Brussels.

The project is co-financed by the European Commission Leonardo da Vinci Life Long Learning programme and is carried out by seven partners from different countries: ANJAF (PT), European Movement International (BE), Centro di Iniziativa Europea (IT), European Association of Women Resource Centres (SV), Regional Association of Veneto Chambers of Commerce (IT), Business and Development Center (PL), Encounter AB (SV).

The FRO Curriculum aims to provide teachers and trainers in Vocational Education and Training (VET) with key competencies essential for reinforcing the implementation of management systems for gender equality in European enterprises, especially in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SEMs). These enterprises usually face tough global competition requiring new knowledge, skills and policies. Recent studies have found a strong correlation between gender equality, family friendly policies and profitability in enterprises. Gender equality has also been acknowledged in the Lisbon strategy as a “necessary condition for the achievement of the EU objectives of growth, employment and social cohesion”. It is thus highly important to train and inform teachers and trainers in VET about the opportunities within the field of gender equality and reconciliation policies in Europe.

After in-depth analyses of professional profiles and training needs, a FRO Curriculum and training manual were designed and a series of national and transnational training was organized. Now, in the final stage of the project, the FRO Curriculum is to be disseminated, mainstreamed and implemented into VET systems and practices.

After a welcome speech by EESC President Mario Sepi, the FRO project was introduced by Isidro de Brito, the President of ANJAF, and João Delgado from the DG Education and Culture of the European Commission at the conference on the 21st of September. This was followed by two panel debates on issues of Corporate Social Responsibility, FRO and the question of sustainability in times of economic crisis.

The first debate centered on Corporate Responsibility and included Iva Laňová from the European Commission, who presented the EC’s views and policies on gender equality. Pia Engstrom Lindgren, Deputy Equality Ombudsman, made a case for the Swedish model in achieving gender equality and family-friendly policies at work. This was followed by a short introduction into the historical development of family-friendly, socially responsible policies in France by Stéphane Buffetaut, the President of the EESC Sustainable Development Observatory. The debate was chaired by Diogo Pinto, Secretary-General of the EMI.

The second panel was moderated by Ana Vincente from the CITE (Commission for Equality in Labour and Employment), focusing on sustainability. Here, Deisi Kusztra, the President of the World Family Organisation, gave an optimistic account on the role of family and civil society in times of crisis and beyond. Gian Angelo Bellati, Director of Unioncamere Veneto, reflected on the industry’s interest in the FRO project. Joël Decaillon, Confederal Secretary of ETUC- European Trade Unions Confederation, critically assessed the chances of reaching a consensus over family-friendly policies and highlighted the need for sustainability. Finally, Luc Hendrickx from the UEAPME explained the position of small and medium-sized enterprises towards the FRO curriculum.

The conference ended with a cocktail.