The international network Let Her In holds its assembly in Reus to share projects

Inclusion is not a unique, isolated, or particular challenge of a single individual, nor even of a city like Reus. Instead, it requires the involvement of everyone worldwide to ensure that nobody is left behind. With this in mind, the Let Her In network, an NGO that seeks integration, diversity, and gender equality in all areas of society, as well as an end to discrimination, convened its annual assembly.

Bulgaria, the Netherlands, Ireland, Greece, Italy, Romania, Portugal, Belgium, North Macedonia, Germany, Turkey, Poland, Hungary, Slovenia… Representatives from over twenty countries have been gathering since yesterday at the Espai Boule facilities to learn, share projects and generate synergies. Olena Korzhykova, CEO of DomSpain, emphasizes that working with international partners allows for sharing “experience and expertise” and “transferring innovation to different regions.” « There is no need to work or fight alone; let’s build teams, connect territories, and showcase the potential we have, » she added. Pilar López, the City Councilor for Education and Citizenship in Reus, also pointed in this direction: « People like you, with so much talent and energy, help us improve and create new opportunities for the future. »

Francesca Dadomo, from the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Spain, points out that sharing space with professionals from such diverse backgrounds allows “networking, generating new ideas, and forming new consortia,” enabling them to present themselves jointly when seeking funding. « The main objective is gender equality in all areas of life, and especially in the workplace, » she notes. Throughout the day, Dadomo had noticed an initiative focused on achieving a better distribution of caregiving tasks among the various family members. It’s an approach aimed at reaching companies’ human resources departments to help them show “a little more sensitivity.” The goal is to facilitate work-life balance.

Enrico Dolza is part of Istituto di Sordi di Torino, (the Institute for the Deaf of Turin), a non-profit foundation in Italy. It concentrates its efforts on ensuring lifelong inclusion and global accessibility. The Let Her In assembly, which brought together people from Europe, Asia, and Africa, was « a unique opportunity. »

Sandra Fuentes is the Director General of UNAVE, the Association for Professional Training and Research at the University of Aveiro (Portugal). « The network has allowed us to meet and integrate into a large group, which has created opportunities for us to share knowledge, » she reflected. It is an experience « that enriches us all » and enables us to combine efforts to reach the next level and secure European funding — goals that, individually, “would be very difficult to achieve.”

International

Representatives from around twenty countries met to discuss equality

The international meeting also helped position Reus on the international stage. Councilor López invited attendees to enjoy the city and its Modernist heritage, as well as to savor its elixir. « Don’t forget to have a glass of Reus vermouth!” she exclaimed. The message was well received by the audience. Korzhykova said that the meetings help promote the regions. « Everyone already knows the words vermouth, Gaudí, Modernism, » she said. The first day was dedicated to the network’s strategic vision, with the general assembly and session focused on the presentation and development of projects. There were also networking sessions, and collaborators were offered an optional tour of Reus and a dinner. Today, the meeting will continue to focus on co-creation and innovation, sharing ideas and proposals for centralized European-level calls. Before concluding, impactful initiatives will be developed, and the results of Let Her In’s partners will be shared.

Image caption: Held over two days, the assembly is taking place between yesterday and today at the Espai Boule facilities. Gerard Martí

👉 Read the article: https://www.diarimes.com/ca/reus/260123/inclusio-repte-compartit_206154.html