Sir, - It has been good to see The Irish Times taking an interest in the countries of central and eastern Europe as they aspire to EU membership, and rightly pointing out the relevance of the Irish experience to the development of those countries in many areas.
One area which may be overlooked in considering what Ireland can offer is this: the help, advice, and example of women on how to become a vital and important force for democracy. Women came out of the background in Ireland in the 1970, demanded and got proper rights and protections, changed laws and became expert campaigners in a myriad of areas, including a vibrant voluntary sector. They entered the professions and the workforce, and were essential to the transformation of Irish society. Our democracy and our country is the richer and better for it. Skilful use of EU directives and programmes played a part in that too.
For several years I have been privileged to be part of a growing interaction with women in countries such as Romania, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Moldova and Latvia, where transition to a new society is slow, unsteady, and difficult. Several decades of development of normal freedoms and rights, which we took for granted, simply didn't happen. It is inspiring to work with these women and to help give them hope and confidence that their societies can survive these difficult years. It is also inspiring to see how they accept and admire the Irish experience, with which they feel a great empathy. The European Women's Foundation, with the help of generous sponsors, brought 60 women activists from seven countries to Dublin in June as part of our work to show them what can be achieved by women working in a full democracy.
It is, of course, in the interest of all developed countries to help stabilise and develop the economies and democratic systems of the former Communist bloc. This letter is written to remind the business sector, Government, and media of the need to support the 50 per cent of those populations who are women, in their hard work of helping to rebuild those deeply damaged societies. - Yours, etc.
Gemma Hussey, Director, European Women's Foundation, Temple Road, Dublin 6.