Towards gender symmetry ______________________________________ Gender Mainstreaming Gender equality Active promotion of women Parity Promotion of women's politica cultural discourge Networking centre for women's culture Evaluation In the agreement to establish a European Community (Amsterdam Agreement) "gender mainstreaming" is laid down as the basis for policies of equal opportunities. This defines as a standardized goal the progressive abolishment of inequalities and the promotion of equal status for men and women. The requirement of equality of the sexes in the politico-cultural arena also derives from this agreement. Gender Mainstreaming The City of Linz is committed to gender equality and to the abolishment of discrimination against women, and undertakes to fulfill the aims of this European Union agreement in all politico-cultural concepts as laid down in the Upper Austrian Local Authority Equality Regulations. Gender equality To guarantee the participation of women in all decision-making processes the City of Linz is aiming for gender symmetry on all cultural committees and in all cultural institutions. In advertising jobs of all kinds we adhere to the principle that a woman will be preferred in the case of equally well-qualified candidates. We also request that the city's cultural institutions (including the decentralized cultural facilities) actively seek qualified women when posts are to be filled. Active promotion of women All panels of experts, boards of trustees and other committees set up by the city's cultural authorities are wherever possible to consist of equal numbers of men and women. Concepts are being developed and proposals considered to achieve financial parity between men and women in the awarding of project commissions, prizes, subsidies and scholarships. Parity The City of Linz proposes additional scholarships and awards in order to promote discourse in the field of culture and women's politics. These should be set up jointly with the province of U.A. and the universities, educational institutions and women's organizations. Promotion of women's politica cultural discourge In order to promote artistic and cultural activities and projects for women the City of Linz proposes to set up an independent networking centre offering the following services: networking activities, information services, co-ordination and realization of scientific projects, promotional work, cultural events etc.. It would be more efficient and effective to seek joint action with the province of U.A. in setting up this networking centre for women. To this end discussions are being held with the provincial authorities over a joint solution in this matter. Networking centre for women's culture The achievement of objectives in the matter of the equality of women should be evaluated at regular intervals and new initiatives undertaken by means of participation concepts. This should be carried out on the one hand by the city's cultural institutions and facilities (the cultural committee among others), and on the other by the existing or yet to be established institutions within the jurisdiction of the City of Linz, for example equal opportunities representatives (in accordance with Upper Austrian Local Authority Equality Regulations), women's committee, women's representatives and in association with the City Culture Advisory Board. Evaluation Cultural Development Plan CONTACT Culture Director Mag. Siegbert Janko Cultural Office of the City of Linz A-4041 Linz, Hauptstraße 1 - 5 Phone: +43 (0)70/7070-2930 Fax: +43 (0)70/7070-2955 mail: info@mag.linz.at