1. How did it all start …

Parliament had the obligation in the public planning permit to make part of today’s Willy Brandt building open to the general public.

It was also the moment of the negative referendum votes over the draft constitution in France and the Netherlands and everybody was saying: “we have to do something more about communication”.

Parlamentarium - EP's new visitor centre more about communication".

2. Which part do you think is the best?

If I have to choose … I like best the Daily Life section [personal stories from people from all around Europe], with the landscapes of Europe it is at the same time solemn and intimate – it is just beautiful!

I’m most satisfied by the history section. When I walk through I always see people standing listening, browsing through the Treaty tables, it is a pleasure to see other people suddenly getting interested in the history of European integration, it all comes to life. That is really nice that people get interested in it!

3. Reactions so far from the visitors?

It is a bit early to say, but overall the feedback is positive. Sometimes people applaud at the end of the film “how the European Parliament works film” [360 degree projection of the Plenary Chamber and a film on how decisions are taken] and we also get positive feedback from politicians.

Certainly we also get some criticism: Some applications don’t work as they should do and we have to do also a number of corrections that slipped through quality control during the production.

Also people from museums and journalists are very positive; a Norwegian journalist said “maybe it is not in line with the editorial line of my newspaper but after the visit I think that Norway should join the EU!”

She started reading and it suddenly felt colder.

Thursday at   EESC ‘s “literature lunch” young English author Helen Walsh was reading from her novel “Once Upon A Time in England“. We were transferred from a sunny Brussels rooftop terrace to a cold night in a tough Warrington housing estate.

She started reading and it suddenly felt colder. The tale sent shivers down the spine. You knew something bad would happen in the story - and almost wanted her to stop reading before it would.

The theme was EU Year against poverty and social exclusion. The reading gave a hint of life in a poor environment in 1970s England marked by racism, violence and blind hate – with vivid images. You felt Helen Walsh knew what she was talking about.

A clever author, good communicator she knew how to get her message through. Helen Walsh has been described as the nicest ex-drop out ever (she left school as a teenager) … yesterday’s impression was that we can only agree (by Petra & Lena).

Politics: ‘a male-dominated world’

On my way to work this campaign caught my eye: A photo of a man and a woman and the question: “Is your work valued the same?” Yes I like to think so. And that as woman I have the same career opportunities as a man. But statistics gives another picture.

Women in Europe are paid 17% less than men. There is under representation of women in leading positions, in the board rooms, in politics, and inequalities often prevails in work and family life in general.

Just look at today’s (6 March) visit of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to the EP. She attracted a huge interest, could any European do the same? 

For the European election campaign we were discussing ways to illustrate gender equality acheivements over the last 30 years. One idea was a photo from 1979 and one from 2009. We tried to think of current women in politics well known all over EU. Margot Wallström, and …? Not many other names came up. Famous faces we realised are often American.

Just look at today’s (6 March) visit of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to the EP. She attracted a huge interest, could any European do the same? 

A European West Wing

EP Vice-President Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou made reference to a fresh Eurobarometer survey in an EP seminar this week: “83% of women and 76% of men agree that women can bring a different perspective to politics”. The survey also shows that women are less interested in European politics than men.

How can women’s interest and participation be boosted? I think more inspiring female politicians, leaders are crucial. Off course we real life “role models”. But imagine also the impact of TV-series? I really liked the (American) “West Wing” … Couldn’t something similar, set in Brussels, boost interest and participation? A European West Wing (“Place Luxembourg” ), with a female President Bartlet …

Just some thoughts ahead of Sunday’s International Women’s Day.  Any other ideas on how to promote women in politics?