Women&Technologies: research and innovation
IFIP World Computer Congress 2008 Hosted Conference
Sala Rossa -  MIC - Milano Convention Centre -  Via Gattamelata, 5 - Milan
9.00 -18.30 – entrance free of charge with preregistration

The title, Women&Technologies: research and innovation , says it all. It emphasises how the relationship between women and technology is a tool capable of enhancing female talents in the production of research and innovation in universities, firms and public administrations.

The Chairperson of Women&Technologies , Gianna Martinengo, who has dedicated her life as a researcher and entrepreneur to to these issues, says: «This first conference sets out to grant visibility to those women who have contributed significantly to technological innovation. Innovation is not merely about creating new instruments. Above all, it’s about the ability to view problems in a new light and identify new objectives: I think that women have a lot to add in this regard, as will be clear from the speeches of our female speakers».

Art and Affective Computing, Interaction and Dialogues in Communities on the Web of the future, Innovation in Enterprises and Institutions, Women and ICT in Europe - these are the issues to be discussed by eminent female speakers of international repute.

Many figures from the science, academic, political and institutional fields have already signed up for the conference: Judith Bishop, CoChair of the International Program Committee WCC and Professor of Computer Science of the University of Pretoria; Diana Bracco, President of Confindustria’s special Research and Innovation and Expo 2015 projects; Mariastella Gelmini, Minister for Education, Universities and Research; Linda Lanzillotta, Shadow Minister for Public Administration and Innovation; Simonetta Matone, Principal Private Secretary of the Minister for Equal Opportunities; Filippo Luigi Penati, President of the Province of Milan; Carlo Sangalli, President of Milan’s Chamber of Commerce.

Invited Speakers: Mariagiovanna Sami , of the Politecnico di Milano and member of the Accademia Nazionale delle Scienze, detta dei XL (National Academy of Science); Maria Grazia Filippini, Sun Microsystems Italia SpA; Pia Locatelli, Member of the European Parliament and member of the commission for women’s rights and gender equality and of the commission for industry, research and energy. Speeches will be made both in situ and by videoconferencing.

The complete programme and an up-to-date list of speakers  are available on the portal www.womentech.info, which will remain active even after the conference has ended in order to foster a social network (people sharing online resources) and create buzz (hype, debate) on issues linked with “women and technologies”.

Entrance is free of charge with on the portal by 31 July

Portal access for the reference period from April 29 to June 26 is as follows:    

Visitors: 7771  -   Visits: 76197  -   Nations: 49
A high percentage of international registrations was recorded on 1 July 2008.

* guests