Hosts of the Conference-H.E.Mr. Valdas Adamkus, President of Lithuania and Mrs. Alma Adamkiene. H.E. Ms. V.Vike-Freiberge, President of Latvia. Minister of Gender Equality of Sweden Ms. Margareta Winberg, Minister of Health and Social Services of Finland Mr. Osmo Soinivaara. It is expected that the Conference would facilitate more active cooperation among the participating countries in dealing with issues of equal opportunities for men and women, initiate new international projects, promote closer cooperation among nongovernmental organizations and attract more attention to equal opportunities for men and women in contemporary democratic society.
Equal opportunities are an inseparable part of the democratic process.
Equal participation of genders in state structures, various professional areas or business is one of the most important conditions for the creation of open democratic society. Minister for Social Security and Labour Mr. Workshop will be concentrated on development of legislation, development of national institutional mechanisms, implementation of gender mainstreaming strategy, gender equality programs, covering all critical areas, cooperation with non-governmental organizations and as a result will initiate bilateral and multilateral projects related to these issues. Lithuania is also invited to co-chair workshop Crossing borders against trafficking in women . Sweden Ms. Margareta Winberg will be chairing person.