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It is with great pleasure that I welcome today's press conference entitled "Women's Stories - The STEAM Edition", which is part of the campaign to promote women in STEAM professions.
Scientific literacy, i.e. proficiency in knowledge, experience and skills derived from Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics, is an essential asset for the personal development, social inclusion and productive employment of a country's citizens. At the same time, the ability to use these key knowledge and skills to successfully address the diverse socio-economic problems of the modern era highlights scientific literacy as an essential skill for the active citizen of the 21st century. For the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth, the promotion of scientific literacy through the education system is a high priority. Already, in cooperation with the Office of the Commissioner, many actions are being carried out, which are never enough.
In the above context, therefore, we, as a State, must prepare scientifically literate citizens who can cope with the needs of society and contribute to its progress. At the same time, we must reduce the gap in the representation of women in the STEAM professions, overcoming the obstacles that usually discourage them from taking an interest and choosing a professional path and career in these sectors, which have an ever-increasing need for human resources.
You all realise how important the role of education is in eliminating stereotypes, empowering girls and generally cultivating resilience and other skills early in life.
As the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth, taking into account all the developments and challenges related to this issue, we apply an integrated interdisciplinary approach to teaching, covering the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics in both primary and secondary education.
As far as Primary Education is concerned, the actions that are part of the STEM programme are implemented in 14 Primary Schools across Cyprus, while in Secondary Education the actions are part of the institution of the all-day school of Interdisciplinary-Disciplinary Learning, with two directions, that of STEAM teaching and that of teaching Greek Language and Greek Culture. As of this year, these two directions are operating in five high schools in all provinces of free Cyprus. The measurable results and the significant steps achieved so far by the implementation of the STEM teaching model, linking school, social life, the labour market and entrepreneurial activity and cultivating important skills in our children, the citizens of tomorrow, can only make us very happy. At the same time, as stated in the Governance Programme, in addition to the implementation of the institution already this year in more schools, our ultimate goal is to extend it to all cities, as well as to integrate the STEAM approach into the general curriculum.
Friends,
Despite the fact that every day we see more and more women gaining recognition and playing an essential and decisive role in the scientific and technological community, nevertheless, according to UNESCO, today less than 30% of the world's researchers are women. It is our duty to provide them with both the opportunity and the necessary guarantees to develop their skills through opportunities for equal access and participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics.
The collaboration we have started as the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth with the State Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy and the Office of the Gender Equality Commissioner, with the significant contribution of the Press and Information Office, is a first class opportunity to learn about the lives and work of women who have made their mark in Cyprus and internationally, in professions that have traditionally been male-dominated.
Most importantly, it is an opportunity to be inspired by their example, to bridge the gender gap in the fields of Science, Technology and STEAM professions, highlighting and exploiting their own potential, in the interest of the whole society.
Many thanks to the Gender Equality Commissioner herself, Ms. Josie Christodoulou and her Office for the whole initiative and for their horizontal action on this issue.
IP
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