A look back at the launch of the WE4LEAD project

From 9 a.m. onwards, the energy and attention of the audience of over 60 representatives of the governance of components, departments and laboratories, as well as the majority of vice-presidents on duty, was palpable as they listened to opening remarks by Éric Berton, President of Aix-Marseille Université, Aurélie Biancarelli-Lopes, Deputy Mayor of Marseille in charge of higher education, student life and research, Jean-François Marchi, Vice-President for International Relations, and Isabelle Régner, Vice-President for Gender Equality and the Fight against Discrimination, and coordinator of the WE4LEAD project. Their enthusiastic and concrete support for this crucial project set the tone not only for the day ahead, but also for the work to be carried out by all partners with the aim of increasing the number of women in the highest decision-making positions within our universities. 

The screening of video speeches by the rectors and rectrices of the WE4LEAD partner universities, confirming their commitment, determination and support for the project, was a highlight, providing a glimpse of the expected spin-offs and the Mediterranean dimension of this collaboration. Another powerful symbol: the WE4LEAD Project Launch Conference was held at the same time at all the partner universities. 
Mid-morning, President Éric Berton signed the WE4LEAD Project Charter, confirming Aix-Marseille Université's ever-stronger commitment to gender equality, which is also essential to the success of this project.

Next, Isabelle Régner, Vice-President for Gender Equality and the Fight against Discrimination, and project coordinator, presented the WE4LEAD project, its objectives, the concrete actions and tools already in place, and the roadmap for the future. She unveiled the cross-disciplinary team active in the project's working groups within Aix-Marseille University, and the trainers on implicit gender bias. At the heart of her speech was the ambition and unique, innovative role that the WE4LEAD project has to play in transforming the governance of partner universities and beyond.

The morning continued with a stimulating round table discussion, illustrating the actions carried out at Aix-Marseille Université as part of the WE4LEAD project and gender equality. The topics discussed, such as the Service pour le Respect et l'Égalité (Service for Respect and Equality), making selection committees aware of implicit gender bias, and the parity indicators in the Rapport Social Unique (Single Social Report), captured the interest of all. A rich exchange, punctuated by many questions put to both Isabelle Régner and the participants in the round tables, made it clear that the issue of Gender Equality resonates with the whole of AMU, and that the WE4LEAD project is not only legitimate but also inspiring for all those wishing to make a concrete commitment to this cause. Within AMU, the WE4LEAD project will stimulate regular exchanges with the governance, components, laboratories and services to implement, institutionalize and perpetuate actions in favor of gender equality.

After a group photo, the event closed with a convivial lunch that enabled participants to continue informal discussions on the content of this successful morning and the WE4LEAD project.