MEETING THE CHALLENGE OF PROFESSIONNALISING GENDER & EQUALITY STUDIES In the wake of the current economic crisis, the continuing promotion of gender equality and the recognition of occupations that contribute to that aim are of vital importance for the construction of a fair foundation for European citizenship. The PASSAGE project (Professionalizing Gender and Equality Studies) offers an innovative and pioneering contribution to meeting this challenge. The 5 principal objectives of PASSAGE: 1 Improving the employment prospects of young people in the current economic context: The PASSAGE project aims to identify the competencies required for a successful professionalization in gender and equality related jobs; this knowledge will serve to enrich the course content of the EGALES Master and of its’ associated continuing education modules. 2 The transnational validation of competencies: The PASSAGE project aims to promote the process of widespread recognition of competencies, specialisations and occupations in gender and equality related areas. 3 International mobility and linguistic diversity: The PASSAGE project favours the international mobility of students, as well as that of their trainers; thus contributing to the construction of a pan-European citizenship. 4 The modernization of higher education and research institutions. The PASSAGE project adopts an interdisciplinary, transnational and collaborative perspective, in partnership with public sector institutions, private enterprise and voluntary sector organisations, with a view to encouraging the social relevance of the European university system. 5 The consolidation of links with the labour market. The PASSAGE project adopts the principal of systematic consultation between academic and non-academic partners, in order to improve the content of teaching modules, the organisation of work placements and to bring higher education institutions closer to their economic and political environments. The 5 main strengths of PASSAGE: 1 A network of European universities, experienced in collaboration and open to new partnerships: The 6 partners of the EGALES project (Abo Akademi, UAB, Bucharest Univ., Lyon 2, Toulouse Univ., York Univ.) have learnt to work well together and are delighted to welcome 2 new additional European universities (Brussels Free University, Goethe Frankfort University), along with associated partners from Switzerland and America. 2 A network of well-established contacts and collaborations with a wide range of political and socioeconomic partners, who will provide an undeniable boost to the effectiveness of the project outcomes. 3 An effective methodology, based on the synergy and pooling of available resources: The PASSAGE project benefits from the implication of academic institutions, students and professional bodies in the fielding of surveys and studies. Cooperation is optimized through regular international meetings and the publication of an internal Newsletter. 4 A tried and tested communications strategy, immediately available at the outset of the project. 5 A potential for lasting effects: The PASSAGE project has anticipated the need for long-term institutionalisation and has foreseen the need to multiply the sources of political support for the aims of the project, beyond the duration of EU funding. The 5 tangible results of PASSAGE: 1 A European good practice guide to professionalizing gender equality within different socioeconomic areas: education & culture; health & gender violence; social policy; international development & migration; higher education and research. 2 A European Directory of occupations, specialisations and competencies related to gender equality, established on the basis of multidisciplinary surveys and case studies. 3 A Report on the current State of the Art in relation to the recognition of occupations, specialisations and competencies related to gender equality, based on the identification of the institutions and procedures involved in the certification of emergent fields of expertise. 4 A fine-tuning of the course content and teaching methods of the Master EGALES, and their extension to other universities (in Europe – Free University Brussels and Frankfort University – and elsewhere), thanks to strengthened collaborations with policy makers and socioeconomic stakeholders. 5 Transferable course outlines for modules on professionalization, for the intensive modules and for innovative continuing education programmes. The desired impact of PASSAGE: Over and above the effects on the partners directly involved, the PASSAGE project aims to consolidate international academic networks in the field of gender and equality studies; to reinforce collaboration between universities, policy makers, private enterprise and voluntary sector organisations, in order to improve professionalization in the field of gender and equality studies, notably through the harmonization of competencies procedures.