To promote equal opportunities for women and men in a changing economy . Recipe n.34 1ST CONGRESS OF COMPANIES AND EMPLOYERS IN THE REGION OF MURCIA: "Women and Business" What This Congress was meant to create discussion and sensitisation spaces addressed to the business world. Its aim is to lay the basis for a reflection over both the business organisation and the women's work condition. This subject will be considered during the following two round tables: "Women's Participation In The Business Activities" and "Active Policies For Mainstreaming Women In The Labour Market; Advantages For These Business Enrolling Women". How much The Congress is financed by the "Secretaría Sectorial de la Mujer y la Juventud" of the Murcia Region, by the "Instituto de la Mujer" of Madrid, with the co-operation of both the "Consejería de Trabajo" and the "Consejería de Nuevas Tecnologías, Industria y Commercio", by the Municipality of Murcia and by the Mediterranean Trustee Savings Bank. How The content of the Congress is based on the following issues: access for women to decision-making places in the large sized companies; analysis and presentation of the latest trend for business; current business situation; bargaining forms and their effect on the female population. During the first round table these subjects were analysed through the presentation by the business representatives of the following sectors: construction, food and canning, banking, industry and new technologies, commerce and services. In the course of the second round table - presenting the active policies for the mainstreaming of women in the labour market - the speakers were representatives of public bodies, of business confederations, and of Chambers of Commerce. During this round table, moreover, the existing law measures at a national and regional level were showed. Why This Congress wants to be the answer to the social compromise encouraging the female participation to the labour market. Its aim is to favour a structural change in the business world and in the society as a whole. The increase of the women's presence in the labour world - despite the difficulties we have faced - pushed us to further look for new exchange spaces, contacts, sharing of experiences, knowledge and ideas. We also set out to create spaces for discussion and sensitisation addressed to the business world, in order to lay the basis for a reflection over the business organisation in a continuously changing society (which it is necessary to adapt to). Moreover, our intent is to analyse the role and place of women within the companies. Last, but not the least, our aim is both to place emphasis on the contribution women have given to the business activity and to disseminate positive actions on law and tax, contributing to an ever growing insertion of women in the labour market. Results It is not easy to quantify the results of a sensitisation work, mostly in the short term; nevertheless we believe that this Congress - addressed to employers, enterprises and women, with a high rate of participation - helped to give visibility to the women condition in the business world. It has also contributed to make the participant employers aware that it is necessary not only to enroll women, but also that they should be part of the decision-making staff of the companies. References: Juana López Calero Secretaría Sectorial de la Mujer C/ Villaleal, 1 30001 MURCIA ESPAÑA Tel. + 34 968 36 66 26 Fax + 34 968 36 66 20 e-mail: JuanaM.Lopez@carm.es Web: www.carm.es/cpre/mujer