Photo: (Left to Right) Prof. Ewa Jarosz, Pro Rector University of Silesia and project coordinator, , , and at the closing meeting of the Erasmus+ GEPARD project in Katowice, Poland
Prof. Carmen Sammut, Pro Rector, Prof. JosAnn Cutajar, Head of Department of Gender and Sexualities, Mr Roderick Vassallo, Vice-Principal , Prof. Janet Mifsud, Head of (respectively Chair, Deputy Chair and member of ), were invited to attend and participate at the concluding conference of the Erasmus+ project (Gender Equality Programme in Academia – Raising Diversity) entitled: from 21 – 22 of March 2024.
The aim of the GEPARD project, which included higher education institutions from Poland, Austria, Hungary, Cyprus and Malta and Italy, was to create equal opportunities for women and men in the academic environment by preparing a series of actions which would help to increase diversity in the academic environment.
This concluding conference was held at the University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland and attended by over 200 participants. It addressed the implementation of formulated DEI policies, as well as other aspects of developing well-being of different groups in the environment, with a particular focus on gender.
The conference was a multi-faceted discussion involving representatives of various academic disciplines and those responsible for the implementation of equality and well-being in universities and local communities. During the debates and workshops, conclusions and recommendations on the ways were developed with regards to the development and implementation of equality policies, as well as methods for their monitoring and evaluation. The discussions also included issues on education and the promotion of equality and diversity as values and principles of a society, as well as issues relating to interventions in the face of their violation and personal safety in the context of diversity.
The international character of the conference and the participation of experts and practitioners in the implementation of equality policies from different socio-cultural backgrounds allowed a comparative perspective and an exchange of perspectives and experiences.
Prof. Sammut was invited to address the participants on Diversity Equality and Inclusion policy development and implementation in academia while Prof. JosAnn Cutajar was involved in the discussion on diversity and wellbeing in the workplace.
Mr Roderick Vassallo had the opportunity to present some of the results from GEPARD through a speech entitled: Intersecting Diversity – Unveiling Value and Methodologies in Academia and Beyond. A GEPARD Approach.
