Between March 5 and 7, Fleur Vella, co-ordinator of the NCW Economic and Environmental Development Committee, attended a conference entitled "Gender in the Mediterranean: Emerging Discourses and Practices" in Nicosia, Cyprus, through the kind support of the British Council and its efficient staff.

The aim of the conference was to see the different experiences of men and women in the Mediterranean. There were over 100 participants, most of whom were also presenting papers, representing the wide diversity of the Mediterranean, tackling a wide range of subjects.

Professor Mary Maynard stressed the importance of the elderly remaining active in society through, for example, grandmothering. She also stressed that it is very important that elderly, most commonly being widows, meet together and help each other face this state of widowhood. Elderly tend to be very religious and thus the Church is a very important instrument to bring the elderly together and make them feel less isolated.

Professor Michael Kimmel stressed that men feel physically stronger than women and believe that "real men do not get sick". Thus looking after one's health is considered as not being masculine.

This is a very important observation especially when it comes to health promotion for men. This may also have an influence on women's health as men may influence women's health decisions.

Professor Kimmel also stressed that a gender equitable lifestyle would make men feel happier and healthier as men also wish to reconcile their work and life responsibilities. Thus he encouraged measures such as the loss of parental leave, if the father does not take up a part of it.

Greece is facing Malta's same problem with textile companies leaving for countries such as Bulgaria and China, where labour is cheaper. This is leading to high female unemployment, as most workers in the clothing sector are female. Thus it was stressed that governments should encourage the establishment and development of other high-value-added sectors.

During the discussion on teleworking it was pointed out that this work arrangement may be used mostly to get more hours of work out of employees. It is therefore very important that this new work arrangement be regulated to control abuse. Another speaker stressed that the relationships between the carer and the cared for should be adequately regulated and that both parties should be well informed of what constitutes behaviour.