On December 4th, DomSpain hosted an influential Open Event at the Espai Boule training center in Reus to promote the Erasmus+ GUIDE project.
The Open Event gathered a diverse group of stakeholders, including career guidance professionals, students, professors from the University Rovira i Virgili of Tarragona, and teachers from various secondary schools and vocational training centers in Reus.
The Open Event had several core objectives. It aimed to raise awareness by educating participants about the Erasmus+ GUIDE project and the significance of addressing gender stereotypes in career guidance. Engaging stakeholders was another critical objective, achieved by bringing together a diverse group of career guidance professionals, educators, students, and academic staff to foster collaborative discussions and idea exchange.
Presenting tools and resources was a highlight of the event, particularly the demonstration of a new digital tool designed to detect gender biases in career decision-making. This ensured participants understood its functionality and benefits. Sharing best practices was also emphasized, highlighting successful strategies and interventions to reduce gender biases and encouraging participants to adopt similar practices.
The Open Event featured distinguished speakers, including Ana Herranz, Project Manager; Ellen Harrison, Social Educator; Mercé Gisbert, PhD in Educational Sciences from the University of Barcelona and Professor of Educational Technology at the Rovira i Virgili University; and Alex Ponce, Educational Psychologist and specialist in Cognitive Neuroscience applied to Education.
The event concluded with several insightful points aimed at addressing key issues related to gender stereotypes in career guidance. Participants agreed that reducing gender biases should start in the early stages of education, particularly during childhood and primary education. This early intervention is essential for shaping more inclusive attitudes towards career choices. It was also emphasized that career guidance professionals need ongoing training to recognize and mitigate their own biases, equipping them with the right tools and knowledge to ensure unbiased support for all individuals.
