NaNet Workshop Report 1Hungary

RECCsaba MEZEI

March 2015

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Table of contents

Chapter 1: Data 3Participation 3

Categories of participants 3

Geographical distribution of participants 4

Chapter 2: Design 4Meeting objectives and expectations 4

Agenda 4

Methods and design 5

Chapter 3: Key Issues 5Key issues discussed 5

Chapter 4: Good practice and new ideas 7Good practice examples and ongoing projects 7

Chapter 5: Conclusion, lessons learned 7Reflection of methods and design 7

Continuity of people and organizations 7

Social process 8

Issues to be considered for further NaNet development (barriers, opportunities) 8

Chapter 6: Next steps 8APPENDIX 9

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Chapter 1: DataParticipationThe first Hungarian SEiSMiC thematic workshop was attended by 27 persons. This number is slightly low compared to the number of registrants which was 45. Those who attended found the event useful and educational and managed to actively contribute to the success.

Categories of participantsRegistrants included former focus group members (10, 37 percent), NaNet members (8, 29 percent) and newcomers (9, 33 percent) who did not participate in any SEiSMiC event before.

Participants included social innovation practitioners, academics, researchers and NGOs. No municipality or governmental organisation was represented.

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Geographical distribution of participantsMost of the participants came from Budapest. Concerning that social innovation practitioners, researchers, and related NGOs are all located in the capital city of Hungary this is not surprising.

Chapter 2: DesignMeeting objectives and expectationsThe aim of the event was to discuss social innovation focussing on ‘new governance’ and the women’s perspective.

The only way to achieve smart development in cities is when women’s perspectives are considered carefully; more precisely women are able to initiate changes in society. Social innovation as a means for change was discussed – as well as a tool for facilitating women’s participation in social issues.

AgendaMorning session: presentations1/ Welcome: Mária Csikai (moderator) – Hungarian Women’s Civil Government 2/ Introduction of SEiSMiC project: Csaba Mezei - REC3/ ECWT and GAP, Éva Fábry - ECWT4/ Urban design and women: Ida Kiss - KÉK 5/ Girls and higher education: Valéria Szekeres – university professor6/ Women and employment: Dorottya Szikra (sociologist) Afternoon session - workshop Civil Society: Ildikó Simon - Cromo FoundationBusiness perspective: Zsófia Rét- KreaterPolitics: Klára Ungár, Hungarian Women’s Civil Government Media: Andrea Rimay, sociologist, BSZF

Gender Action Plan (GAP)European Centre for Women and Technology (ECWT) played an important role in advocating women’s active appearance in smart cities issues. During the workshop GAP was introduced (first time in the country) by ECWT highlighting efforts appearing stronger and stronger recently on EU level in order

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to integrate gender topic into social innovation (in urban areas). The aim of the presentation was to activate civil society and researchers as well as changing attitudes of the public by showcasing best practices from all over the EU and introducing main priorities of women’s activism. It also listed opportunities for cooperation. Girls and higher education – imbalances and tools for awareness rising Results of a two-year-long research on gender imbalances of secondary schools and (technical) universities were introduced. The research was based on personal interviews with female students with mixed interest who were just before choosing direction of further educations in secondary schools, and focus group discussions with female students (and their teachers) of technical universities.

Urban design and WomenIs it really different to be a woman in the city; are woman and man using the urban spaces differently? A non-representative research found out that the answer is yes. The presentation showed good examples from all over Europe and highlighted the importance of gender sensitive policy measures in the field of urban development.

Women in the labour marketAccording to the European standard the Hungarian women work a lot, but the Hungarian mothers’ representation in the labour market is the lowest in Europe. What policies and ideologies are there which make women participation in the labour market difficult? How is it possible to move them away from the lowest paid jobs and from the grey and black labour market?

Methods and designThe first part of the event (morning session) was in a conference format in which presenters introduced key areas where role of women can/must be increased. The afternoon session was organised in a workshop format where best practices, ideas, and start-ups were discussed in four areas: business, civil society, politics and media.

Chapter 3: Key IssuesKey issues discussedCivil societyA network of civil society organisations and private persons were introduced which is named collectively as “KőKemény” (solid rock) by Cromo Foundation. Kőkemény includes initiatives which are targeted at solving certain local societal issues which does not require any legal process (permit, subsidy) and also involving local communities.

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The initiative seeks for solutions to the most pressing problems such as poverty, unemployment, and housing via active public participation and mutual learning. During the workshop the initiative was also discussed from the women’s perspective through best practices. The main question was how to multiply those successes and what are the innovative elements.

Business perspective

Role of women in social innovation and entrepreneurship were discussed within the framework of a program called “!gen” (innovative generation) which is coordinated by the active social innovation agency named Kreater. The aim of the discussion was to find out how women can participate actively in social entrepreneurship, and start-ups.Workshop participants were bearing witness through their own experiences of social innovation. They concluded that innovation as such does not belong to high level elite but it is for everyone. Social innovation is often motivated by everyday frustration of people and the willingness of change. During an exercise participants worked on their own start-up ideas, and also found out how female entrepreneurs can be successful in this world which is based on patriarchal values. Based on !gen’s capacity building methodology business model structure and validation model were developed.

PoliticsThe session which was moderated by Klára Ungár (former candidate mayoress of Budapest) was aimed at discussing why women are represented in the Hungarian political life so poorly.

The main discussion points were:How to push parties to have bigger women quota? Is it really necessary to set a mandatory quota or not? How to develop trust of female voters towards female politicians? How to engage more women to become politician?

Media

Relation between women and the media was discussed with emphasis on female media workers (journalists, editors, and bloggers) and celebrities. Women’s career options in media were also discussed with a view of traditional hierarchy pyramid (higher positions = less women) and the possibilities of the Internet.

It was found that printed women’s magazines are edited or managed by women in a greater percentage than average – this can be considered as a positive trend with some limitations (themes limited to women’s interest, EG: life-style, cosmetics). This kind of ‘cast’ system contributes to the long-term existence of stereotypes about women. There are a few unusual examples such as women’s magazine for IT, motorcycles, and entrepreneurship. Another positive trend is the appearance of women in the sports news, and channels.

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Based those positive trends in media (more and more women in high positions), possibilities of replication in other sectors were discussed.

Research topics proposedBarriers for women participating in politics:The hypothesis of cultural and social economic barriers

Female politicians are trusted less; politics are still considered to be ‘men’s work’ “Time for politics” - the typical daily schedule of the politicians are not in favour of

women and generally people with families “Place of politics” – important political events are still happening on men related

places (EG: football matches…) Men are generally against female quota When number of political positions and financial sources narrow down, women

politicians are thrown out of site first To be politicians as a carrier is not alluring because the general trustfulness (low

prestige due to high risk of corruption, and high salary) Missing tailored training for politicians Bad examples of ”born to be politicians” – how would people, who never worked

elsewhere, influence society in a good way?

Policy measures identifiedTIME: Re-arrange typical time schedule of politics (EG: committee meetings need to be re-scheduled in a mother-friendly way);PLACE: Obligatory quota for female politicians;IMAGE: Only experienced politicians should be elected (EG: at least five-year experience in mid-level management of civil, business or municipality sector)KNOWLEDGE: Capacity building for beginner politiciansHigh level of innovation is needed is the TIME and the KNOWLEDGE themes

Key message to SEISMIC ForumThe only way to achieve smart development in cities is when women’s perspectives are considered carefully; more precisely women are able to initiate changes in society. Social innovation as a means for change was discussed – as well as a tool for facilitating women’s participation in social issues.

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Chapter 4: Good practice and new ideas

Good practice examples and ongoing projectsBesides the aforementioned “KőKemény” (solid rock) initiative made by Cromo Foundation another interesting project was discussed during the event.

Water hydrants for drinking: One of the winning projects of Design Terminal's Smart City Lab competition was the "Drinking fountain from a fire hydrant” plan. A group of young female designers thought that the city's fire hydrants should have an everyday purpose in order to serve the citizens beyond emergency situations. This was a brilliant plan, because there are very few drinking fountains in Budapest there are usually only a few places where drinking water can safely be given on a hot summer day. The special drinking facilities, which are specially designed for fire hydrants and do not hinder emergency service in case, will appear at 11 spots around the city by 2016.

Chapter 5: Conclusion, lessons learned

Reflection of methods and design The design of the event was definitely successful. Participants providing feedback on the spot all mentioned that the combination of conference style and workshop was a good choice.

Continuity of people and organizationsApproximately two thirds of the participants were returning visitors of SEiSMiC events (Focus groups, NaNets) – 30 percent fluctuation in such a broad project cannot be

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considered to be too high. New members always bring in new ideas and new perspectives.

Municipalities and the government were not adequately represented – it made the organizers conclude that social innovation is not a high priority in the aforementioned sectors and/or SEiSMiC project may not be interesting enough to make them participate more actively. Nevertheless city and governmental stakeholders will be informed/invited further on.

Social process(Motivation, missing people/perspectives, cooperation atmosphere - solution orientation, conflicts, emerging subgroups …; Questions to the core team for mutual learning)

The number of participant especially compared to the number of registrants was a bit dissatisfying (27 out of 45). Although those turned up were very active filling up the event with useful content. Latecomers also broke the dynamism of the event a bit.

Due to the excellent moderation and the well-prepared presenters the event brought the best out of the audience. Lively discussions were happening and many ideas were brought up.

Issues to be considered for further NaNet development (barriers, opportunities)In case detailed evaluation (of the particular event) is needed evaluation sheet needs to be drafted, printed and handed out to participants during the events. Participants are not active in terms of feedback even a few days after the event according to the experience.

Chapter 6: Next stepsThere is an ongoing process in the Hungarian NaNet where the most active participants are discussing topics of the next workshop in October. As ‘urban space’ is going to be the theme of the next international meeting, members of ‘Green City’ and ‘unused urban space’ topic areas are coming to the light.

A Google e-mail group has been set up in order to share and discuss the hottest topics in an efficient way.

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There is a demand for more regular meet-ups – normally after working time including small groups which are focussing on certain topics. These meetings do not require a huge budget but keeps the NaNet alive between national workshops.

APPENDIX1/ Attendance lists

Orosz Ildikó Magyar Narancs (online magazine)Fürst Izabella Private personBenedek Ágnes Civil Roundtable of GödöllőFüleki Katalin Eötvös UniversityHargitai Márta Women for Breast Cancer PreventionLászló Anna Private personFábry Éva European Centre for Women and Technology - ECWTNagy Eszter CONET Ltd., NEWS CoachingHalász Anna Mindfocus Ltd.Szerényi Péterné Private personCsonka Éva Mesekuckó FoaundationSarkadi Judit PWA - Association of Successful WomenAcsády Judit Hungarian Academy of Science (Institute of Sociology)Molnár Barbara hvg.hu (online magazine)Cseplész Péter Social workerMecsné Fullajtár Ildikó Association for the rehabilitation of those hard of hearing /HARKEPoller Etelka Civil Women’s GovernmentHámori Éva Private personNemeth Aniko RECSoltész Anikó Seed FoundationKomjáthy Anna Teachers’ Democratic AllianceFülöp Orsolya Private personZsargó Szilvia MindspaceBoros Györgyi Hungarian Maltese CharityPártai Lucia Radio Bézs, eumet.huMezei Csaba RECCsikai Mária Civil Women’s GovernmentNémeth Nóra Private personPletser Ági Civil Women’s GovernmentArgejó Éva ÁB - Historical ArchivesEndrey György Independent Organisation for Women’s rightsSello Kata Private personMajoros Zsuzsanna Cromo AlapítványMarosán Angelika Private personBajnay Andrea BA-ConsultingVida Krisztina Academic PublisherSimon Ildikó CROMO FoundationSzikra Dorottya SociologistSzekeres Valéria University of ÓbudaKiss Kovács Ida KÉK – Centre for Contemporary Architects

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Rét Zsófia KreaterRimay Andrea SociologistUngár Klára Civil Women’s Government