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Introduce yourself and meet other IFUW members from around the world.

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Young Members are encouraged to introduce themselves: from which country do you come? what are your interests?

Is the context of increased emphasis on research in universities a chance or an obstacle for women in academia? In this context what strategies might be useful to assist women to advance to senior academic positions?

Equality between men and women studying and working in science, engineering and technology is still far from being a reality. What measures would you suggest to break barriers discouraging women from making a career in these disciplines?

Is the climate of competitiveness described by UNESCO a reality in your country? Does it impact on family friendly policies – e.g. by expecting staff to be able to be mobile between inter-city and inter-country campuses? What would be useful to advance such policies – for example parental leave, part-time work and other strategies such as on-site childcare?

A strong emphasis on developing a research culture in universities is dependent on having a high proportion of postgraduate students, post-doctoral fellows and research staff together with state-of-the-art research facilities. How does this research ‘culture’ impact on women progressing to postgraduate and post-doctoral levels, including full tenure positions? Are quotas necessary in order to achieve equality for women in academia?

Is access to affordable primary education the same in the rural and urban areas of your country?

What general problems and/or prospects does access to primary education present in your country/community?

How affordable is universal primary education in your country?

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How adequate is public knowledge about AIDS prognosis, means of infection, treatment and prevention

How is AIDS knowledge disseminated in your country? Isinformation transmitted largely through government, medical profession or specific education programmes? Are community awareness programmes that are innovative or very effective?

Is HIV/AIDS treated as a lifestyle or morality issue, or one only relevant to men?

Are there any HIV/AIDS issues specific to women in your country (health, economic, family? Are these acknowledged in education and/or public health programmes?

Is there discrimination against victims of HIV/AIDS, including children, in your country?How does it impact access to education, employment, sport and social activities?

What actions has your national federation or association undertaken in the areas of HIV/AIDS education and adovcacy? What would you like to see done? How, and by whom, might programmes to achieve these ends be developed?

Is your national federation or association interested in HIV/AIDS as an international issue? What internatonal actions have you taken?