next meeting -17 Dec 2009 - WIIS cocktail 18H

WIIS (pronounced 'wise') is dedicated to increase the influence of women in the field of foreign and defence policy by raising their participation, numbers and visibility.

WIIS has thousands of members — women and men — in 47 countries from academia, think tanks, the diplomatic corps, the intelligence community, the military, government, non-governmental organisations, international organisations, the media, and the private sector. Members work on and are interested in diverse issues affecting international security, ranging from non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), to terrorism, human rights, sustainable development, environmental security, and conflict resolution. More information on the WIIS international site....

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WIIS Brussels - over 1500 members and growing - holds monthly evening meetings to bring women from a wide range of institutional settings together to discuss issues of common concern in an informal setting.

WIIS-teamwiis Brussels team 2006

WIIS International This Week and JobsHotline are now available on the WIIS-Ning network: http://wiisnetwork.ning.com/

  • Current WIIS members are invited to join this new interactive platform to connect with members, groups, chapters, and affiliates within the WIIS global network.

ISIS Europe actively supports WIIS in Brussels and increases its visibility by promoting WIIS meetings on its website and hosting occasional joint meetings.

Women for top jobs - enter the Lisbon treaty

WIIS Brussels congratulations Baroness Catherine Ashton as the new EU Vice-President/High Representative in Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

However, there is still some concern over the low number of nominated female Commissioners (9 of 26) but WIIS congratulates those countries that have put female candidates forward:

Bulgaria - Rumiana Jeleva
Cyprus - Androulla Vassiliou
Denmark -Connie Hedegaard
Greece - Maria Damanaki
Ireland - Máire Geoghegan Quinn
Luxembourg - Viviane Reding
The Netherlands -Neelie Kroes
Sweden - Cecilia Malmström
UK - Catherine Ashton

Also, still, of the eleven Special Representatives of the EU, not one is a woman.

Women are equal candidates for top posts: statistically, women have more university degrees and greater educational achievements than men, and successfully fill many managerial positions in national administrations. Yet, they are often barred from attaining the highest national positions, and the corresponding international jobs.

WIIS supports EU Commission Vice President, Margot Wallstrom's call for action and to echo her words :

"Including women in the decision-making process is about democratic representation. Nothing more and nothing less."

Please join WIIS in supporting women in top jobs, through a petition under the initiative of Danish MEP Christel Schaldemose:

www.femalesinfront.eu