Kobe University's Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence held a workshop for journalists with the support of Kansai Press Club on Wednesday March 10, 2021.
In the workshop two lectures were given. The first, titled "Use of Personal Information for Prevention of COVID-19 Infection Spread: Situation around the World," was given by Prof. MURAO Hajime of the Graduate School of Intercultural Studies. Then the second, titled "Gender Legislation in the EU and its Substantive Effects: The Case of "Parité" in France," was given by Prof. SEKINE Yuki of the Graduate School of Law.
Prof. MURAO reported the situation and issues of COVID-19 contact-tracing applications. He explained the status of the provision and use of the apps in the world, the differences between Japan, the United States, and EU in interoperability of the apps, the privacy issues, the effects on prevention of infection spread.
Prof. SEKINE introduced the history of gender equality policies in the EU. Since article 119 of the Treaty of Rome (1957) introduced the principle of wage equality for men and women, gender equality has been actively promoted in the policies of the EU, and more recently, parity in leading posts in politics and business has become an important aim. Along with a body of EU case law endorsing positive actions in the pursuit of a substantial gender equality, making the notion of "Parité" an important guidepost for its policies, France, who introduced this notion early on, is advancing it in all areas of social life.
In the Q&A session after lectures, attendees asked diverse questions including, for the first lecture regarding the correlation between the usage rate of contact-tracing apps and the confidence in the government, and for the second lecture, whether historical and cultural background could explain advanced gender equality policies in certain countries. The Q&A was followed by discussions between the lecturers and the audience.