To promote a gender balance in decision-making . Recipe n.45 . What "Esserci" It is a research and a publication about the political presence of women in Europe. A series of seminars and debates about the theme of balanced presence in the management positions, indispensable element for a true democracy. Actions of sensitisation and lobbying about decision makers, proposing measures (recipes) aimed at the re-balancement of the democratical presence. How much Research conducted by the staff of the Resource Centre of Arcidonna, which works within the framework of the project "NOW Eurodonna in Progress" The costs for the follow up of this action are very low, since research - being re-updated by Arcidonna - can be requested to the Association and used as sarting point for debates and seminars.   How   Arcidonna, with the support of its network of European partners, has conducted the research, which culminates in the "recipes" towards the goverment and parties. The document and proposals have been introduced and discussed within the framework of a number of seminars at many levels, from the first, - which took place the 9th of January, within the premises of the Town Hall of Palermo - to those at a national level organised in Rome, at the presence of the ministres of Interiors and of Equal Opportunities, and, subsequently, at the Chamber. Each seminar, mostly the one which took place in Rome, was supported by press campaigns. Why This idea was born from a reflection about the presence of women in the sicilian local authorities, and about the disheartening data coming from the last elections. As an example, only one woman was elected at the Regional Government, one at the Town Council of Palermo, and no one in the Province Council. Therefore a careful survey of the data related to the women presence has been conducted in all the European Goverments' Parliaments, and of the measures taken by some of those countries in order to balance the presence. A couple of "recipes" emerged from this research, suggested by Arcidonna to the two main interlocutors: the Parties and the Government. To the first transparent and democratic rules are suggested, in order to select candidates and to have an alternance of women and men in the lists. To the second, incentives of various kind to the parties who candidate and appoint the higher number of women in their bodies; a non-stop monitoring of the situation, campaigns of information and sensitisation.   Results   Until now: a concrete reflection has been stimulated at a number of levels. At a medium-long term: the realisation of a real democracy, where all citizens men and women, are represented.   References for further informazion: ARCIDONNA PALERMO VIA ALESSIO DI GIOVANNI 14 90144 PALERMO, ITALY TEL.: 0039 091 345799 FAX: 0039 091 301650 E-MAIL: arcidonn@tin.it WEB SITE: www.arcidonna.it   .