Models for Raising Women's Awareness of Technology

Moderator:
Susan McCrae Vander Voet,
CCLOW

Panelists:
Leiba Aranoff; Coordinator of
Staff Development in Service
Training, Ville Marie Social
Service Centre

Susan Smee, Director, CCLOW;
Saskatchewan

Marianne Williams, Adult
Education, O.l.S.E.

A report was presented by women who were involved in the organization of a seminar, a one-day conference, and a series of three mini-conferences dealing with women and micro technology, on the development of content and format with specific concern for the adult learning process, particularly in women. The workshop consisted of an open discussion on the best means to raise the awareness of women, with respect of the impact of micro- technology and the need to pursue one's education and involvement to deal with it. In preparing conferences, seminars, or other such activities, it was suggested that the following principles should serve as guidelines:

• Participants should enjoy the event and have a good time. Learning can be fun!

• There should be ample opportunity for the sharing of experiences.

• Problems must be put into context, rather than be presented piecemeal.

• Participants should be thoroughly aware of the purpose of the event and the reasons for taking time to increase their knowledge. Why are they here? What will it bring them?

• Male participation must always be defined clearly so that the event remains an opportunity for women to exchange with women.

• Participants must not be left with a despair that can be averted by planning strategies for change, based on what they would like to take place in the areas of concern.

• Coalitions should be encouraged between and among similar interest groups (unions, etc.).

• The media must be used extensively to reach as many women as possible, and to present them with facts, rather than the fictions too frequently served by the press.

• Where workers are non-unionized, lunch-hour conferences can be arranged to inform women of upcoming events, or to share the results of recent events.