Conclusion

Some conferences are considered a success because events have matched the predetermined program and schedule - a rare commodity. Others are appreciated simply because in their course, something happened, something clicked which was worthwhile to the participant. For many, the conference described in the preceding pages falls into the latter category.

"It was a total learning experience, an environment such as we had never experienced:" say some participants. "The learning process was indissociably linked to the caring and sharing attitudes of the persons involved."

This holistic quality was further obvious in the conceptual frameworks of the guest speakers and workshop resources. Without exception, emphasis was placed on the need for comprehensive approaches to planning, for systemic re-organization and global implementation strategies that take into account all aspects of the environment and persons to be affected by technological innovations.

It may be that the events and mood of the conference emerged from an effective conjuncture of feminist paradigm and subject matter. Viewed by holistically minded and equality-conscious persons, micro technology does appear to have the potential to positively transform society. In a sense, the conference became the living proof that, when handled with care, technology does provoke the emergence of new and creative modes of learning and interacting.

Women of diverse, and sometimes conflicting views interfaced, respectful of each other's methods and beliefs, and motivated to identify areas for possible joint action. Despite their apprehensions about the negative impact of microtechnology, they were able to distinguish between the technology itself and the methods for its implementation. Finally, they committed themselves to personal action - a dynamic manifestation of autonomy and responsibility .

Without a doubt, the future needs many more women in microtechnology. Now.