Conference Follow-Up

Will the meeting held under the theme "The Future is Now" have contributed to fulfilling the wish expressed by the Montreal network, that in the future, women will have an impact on microtechnology? The future will tell, but one thing is certain: the participants of the conference have not remained passive. Many have upgraded their training; some have taken courses in computer literacy, others, in advanced management. A few have bought a home computer, while others have undertaken research. The conference has convinced at least one participant to modify the subject of her doctoral thesis: Betty Collis, of the University of Victoria, is focusing on the high-school age group in an attempt to identify the various components that make up "attitude to computers" and to learn if there is a sex difference in response to any of these components.

All in all, conference results are not yet revolutionary, but, as we say. . . step by step! Here is an overview of the activities which, according to last January's survey, have been influenced by the conference.

1. Task Force on Microelectronics and Employment, Labour Canada

• As she had promised, Michelle Swernachuk, President of the NAC committee on employment, submitted a brief to the task force in the name of her organization.

• The Canadian Home Economics Association also submitted a brief, as did the Canadian Congress for Learning Opportunities for Women, and the Committee for Women and Technology responsible for setting up our conference.

• K. Jean Cottam, Ph.D., who is particularly concerned with the combined negative effects of radiation emanating from VDTs and cigarette smoke, submitted a brief as well.

• The President of the task force, E. Margaret Fulton, has informed us that after the conference, she made every effort to include in the final report a good number of recommendations dealing with the feminine condition.

• Finally, the CCLOW has also addressed its brief to the Canadian Employment and Immigration Advisory Council's task force on the effects of microtechnology.