Q.: Are women the main carers? Does this limit access to education?
A.: Women are the main carers in our learning partnership countries. The choice to stay at home or return to work depends on the income (if there is one!) and on the governement policy of the country.
	Denmark: can have a career break for one year.
	Spain: can take up to 10 years break in government job. Grandmothers are frequently the carers.
	Poland: have 3 months paid maternity leave, up to 5 months without pay but then must choose to be a worker in employment or at home. Part-time jobs are rare, so women do not have many opportunities to do both.
	Germany: can take a career break for up to 9 years (unpaid!). Women often work part-time.
	Ireland: can take a career break for up to 2 years. Many work part-time for personal or financial reasons.

Q.: Is learning integrated? (disabled and able-bodied people)
A.:
	Spain: Heura integrates both
	Ireland: Policy of integration, but not necessarily the financial support.
	Denmark: Policy of integration, but not everyone is willing.
	Poland: Officially unspoken, but there is discrimination and lack of acceptance. People with a disability are not visible in public life. Any integration takes place with only young children.
	Germany: only the physically disabled are integrated.

Q.: Why do women want to study?
A.:
	Denmark: To be free, equal with partners
	Spain: Women must work harder to get equal pay/ jobs as men with similar education. Personal growth, to relate to children, to keep up with technology.
	Ireland: Personal developement, social contact
	Poland: Need to study to improve employement prospects. Personal development.
	Germany: For employement. Opportunity for personal and political development.

Q.: Is retirement perceived as a liberation or limitation?
A.:
	Spain: 65 official retirement age for all. If you work for 35 years for the governement you can retire, regardless of age. Greater flexibility and more part-time jobs are important.
	Germany: Liberation! Depends on financial factors.
	Poland: Women retire at 60, men at 65. Retirement brings hardship, possibility of part-time work is small.
	Ireland: As a woman, pension is not sufficient to have a good lifestyle. Having no partner in retirement made me want to work longer to fill the gap.
	Denmark: Pension is sufficient if topped up by private pension. (no old people in this group!)

A TURNING POINT IN MY PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
Group 2

Main Points
1.	First we asked: What is a turning point? We concluded: A turning point is a crisis or change in your life. It can be sudden or gradual. It can be external or internal. It can be invited or come uninvited. It can be denied or accepted. But whatever the turning point may be, it never leaves you in the same place. It moves you on in your journey.
2.	We gave examples of turning points in our lives. Here are a sample:
		Retirement – a natural point, and going on to try new classes.
		Returning to education after 30 years to join this project.
		Learning a new language or improving your language skills through this project.
		Coping with the loss of a partner or the breakdown of a relationship.
		Overcoming/ facing fears (this could be sudden or gradual)
		Coping with illness – your own or another’s.
		Learning to let go of your children and move into your own space.
		Seeing how others live (esp. in poverty) and comparing it with your own lifestyle.
		Achieving things through the support of a group. Eg. coming here to Barcelona when you could not have imagined doing so on your own!
		Gradually discovering your own leading part and taking centre stage.
3.	A turning point affects both the individual and society in a positive way. We felt that, as women, we need to listen to ourselves and learn from ourselves. We also learn from each other. Through this process we can grow in confidence and awareness. We can realise our own potential and play a creative part in our own and others lives.
4.	Points we felt were very important: When a terrible thing happens in our lives, we might say „Why me?“. Say instead, „Why not me?“. A turning point is like a difficult gift. It may take a long time for you to realise that it is a gift and not a punishment! It is not that easy. But it is worthwihle, like most learning.

WHAT ARE THE IMPORTANT SKILLS FOR WOMEN NOW?
Group 3

At home:
	To organize work in teams (team work)
	To solve conflicts and acknowledge myself in order to say STOP when I decide (try to choose what I want to do)
Labour market and society:
	Know and learn PC-internet (ICT), languages
	To face new challenges and solve them
	More education
In general:
	There is needed more skills outside and inside our homes: study, manage our houses, work .... We have to learn how to organize our personal moments because if not we won’t have them. We have to say till where we would like to arrive.
	We have to break with our sense of culpability in order to go on (eg. be able to do something at home, ......
	We have to learn along our lives.
Claims:
1.	To the EU with more money to foster a European network of women.
2.	Research and projects focus on solidarity among women.
3.	A better dissemination in mass media and in centers in order that more women know what is being done.

THE IMPORTANCE OF WOMEN`S EDUCATION –
AIMS AND CONDITIONS
Group 4

1. The aim of women’s education is the independance of women on all levels:
		Personal level
		Social level
		Financial level
2.	The problem of childcare – in terms of costs and availability – has to be adressed in order to enable women with children to access further education.
3.	Women’s education promotes personal development:
		raises selfesteem
		empowers to overcome physical and mental barriers
4.	Women role models can be an act of encouragment and inspiration. Womens history should be a subject on all levels of education for girls and boys, women and men.
5.	Women’s education promotes the idea of gender equality and is raising awareness of gender mainstreaming at all levels of public and political discussions and decisions.

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