Welcome Back

Next event

February 16, 2026:
Date with GPT – self-determination in dealing with artificial intelligence

It is almost certain that we will not be able to avoid a date with GPT. Admittedly,
it is smart, empathetic, intuitive, and convincing, looks good, and promises us something new every day. Less
work, more time for our own ideas. Let's allow ourselves to be charmed by GPT as a refrigerator whisperer, virtual try-on, or nice rejection formulator.

Only one step separates us from merging with the artificial intelligence dating portal, the prompt. GPT
acts as both matchmaker and bouncer, granting access to virtual dates. If we manage to create
create self-determined prompts, we train GPT with our topics. AI is capable of learning. Let's use it as
a perfect butler, a diplomatic translator, an innovative artist.

• Where do I encounter GPT in my everyday life and at work? (Technology)
• How does AI influence my communication and decisions? (Communication)
• What does GPT know about me – and what should it know? (Data protection)
• What does good cooperation between humans and AI look like? (Collaboration)

Together, we approach the question of how AI can be used as a supportive tool – as
structuring assistant, creative catalyst, or diplomatic translator—without relinquishing our own
attitude and freedom of decision.

If we consciously shape this still young relationship on an equal footing, the date with GPT can become a
real enrichment

We look forward to seeing you!

Registration

The events will take place from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Haus der Region (room N001/N002).

Please register by February 11 at the following link:

Click here to register

You can have your children looked after free of charge on site by Fluxx emergency childcare
. Food will be provided. Please register your child (name and age) at
frauundberuf@region-hannover.de.

We are delighted to have had so many participants at our event!

With work-life balance expert Franzi Helms, we took a look at how our socialization can influence our patterns of thinking and behavior, and how misogynistic attitudes and language are still shaped by centuries of history.

Here are some photos from the event.

We look forward to seeing everyone who will be attending the upcoming event on November 27, as well as all new guests who would like to get to know the network meetings!

Our motto this time is: "It's in our blood! Let's talk about socialization."

When? June 26, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Where? Haus der Region Hannover, Room N001

Note: Childcare will be provided by FLUXX. Please register your child by email (frauundberuf@region-hannover.de).

What it's about:
Our image of women is changing. Whereas women used to have to integrate themselves into predefined structures, today's possibilities are diverse: children, career, housing, mobility, leisure – there are a multitude of options in all possible directions. Gender equality has also made steady progress. And that's a good thing! But why do we so often have a guilty conscience? Isn't everything fine? Let's take a closer look.

Franzi Helms, moderator and initiator of the evening, has dealt intensively with the feelings of guilt and remorse that often plague women. When she became a mother herself, she was confronted with high expectations and questions about her self-image. This evening, we will join her on a journey through time: How are we still influenced by traditional ideas, and what does our socialization have to do with our feelings of guilt? This much can already be said: It is not a purely individual phenomenon, but a social one, and it is worth being aware of this in order to make life easier. 
 
Registration is open until June 23, 2023, athttps://programm.frau-und-beruf-hannover.de/information-beratung/welcome-back-netzwerktreffen-2/.

All interested parties are cordially invited. We look forward to seeing you!

"Care & Career"

© Andrea Seifert

"Care & Career" – our last networking event showed that these two topics are not only very closely related in terms of wording!

Consultant and coach Sonja de Vries guided us through this exciting and varied evening, supported by Birthe, Hilke, Jonas, and Annica, who not only took part in the panel discussion but also led corner talks.

The guests shared their experiences of sharing care work equally and communicating within their partnerships and with their employers. As varied as the best practice stories were, everyone emphasized the importance of good organization and communication. They stressed how important it is to clearly articulate your own needs, but also to always be open to the needs of others so that everyone is on the same page. Family calendars and networks are important tools for everyone.
Another important quality is flexibility: last-minute changes to plans can arise at any time, and then it's a matter of activating support from the network and, in case of doubt, deciding which job takes priority.

The Corner Talks explored four topics in depth: in addition to "Communication with your employer," "Communication in your relationship," and "Flexible/agile solutions," there was also the topic of "bullshit phrases": "You chose this yourself!", "...But you take care of children out of love!" and "Have fun with your kids this weekend!" are just a few of the many statements that are certainly often well-intentioned, but leave many parents frustrated because they make the efforts of care work invisible.

The conclusion of all Corner Talks was:

Be brave! Be brave enough to try new things and pursue your dreams. Be brave enough to ask for support, both from your employer and from those around you. Be brave enough to make mistakes and correct them, so that you can continue with motivation and optimism.

As always, there was plenty of room for long and extensive discussions, inspired by the open atmosphere and the shared challenges of everyday life.

We would like to thank you all for your participation and look forward to the next network meeting on June 26, 2023!

Dear interested parties, 

Are you wondering how to combine work and family life? Are you interested in inspiration and/or exchanging ideas with others? Then you are cordially invited to our networking event on March 6 on the topic of "Care and Career"!

The full invitation and the link to register can be downloaded as a PDF below. 

We look forward to seeing you there!
Your Coordination Office for Women and Careers

The theme of the third networking meeting of the year was:

"Single parents – breaking new ground together."

In interviews with single mothers, it became clear that childcare in particular is a major issue when it comes to the hurdles faced by single parents. Finding a place, coping with closing times, and the high stress levels during off-peak hours are the big challenges. There is still a lot to be done in this area, and employers as well as politicians need to take action when it comes to greater flexibility in the workplace.

However, the women who provided the impetus for this study also say that their life situation has helped them grow. Organizational skills, perseverance, and assertiveness are just some of the competencies that are particularly strong in them. For this reason, Leena Wilke also says:

"If I were an employer, I would hire single parents en masse."

The women also reported what particularly helps them cope with the situation: talking to like-minded people, creating everyday islands to switch off, and using support such as guardianship, a service provided by the youth welfare office that includes asserting maintenance claims.

Claudia Froböse's practical report then dealt with an additional model of parenting: together with a couple who are friends and also have a child, they form a kind of care community. Her daughter not only stays with her, but also lives with her extended family for a few days.

Afterwards, speakers from the Association for Single Mothers and Fathers in Hanover (VAMV), Monika Salmen, and the Coordination Center for Single Parents, Livia Taudien, took the floor. The VAMV offers initial counseling for single parents, but also many opportunities to network in groups. Even

• Therapeutic boxing
• Roommate exchanges and
• brief legal consultations are part of the repertoire.

The coordination center also offers an opportunity for initial contact for single parents, but also initiates projects to improve the structural situation of single parents.

The experiences, information, and opportunities to engage in conversation enriched the evening. We would therefore like to thank all the speakers and everyone who attended, and we look forward to seeing you again on March 6, 2023, for the topic "Care and Career."

A big thank you also goes to the supervisors of the "Fluxx" emergency childcare service, who provided a great range of games for children during the event!

"Welcome Back" finally took place in person again! With this follow-up, we would like to review the network meeting of June 27, 2022. Together with Ingrid Freels from GründerinnenConsult and Berit Lüdecke and Nina Kaienburg from the Social Innovation Center, we focused on the topic of start-ups and were very pleased with the lively participation.

Three admirable women showed us how it's done: Claudia Wonnemann (MoinBambú) creates artistic, shade-providing roof structures made of bamboo, Claudia Völkening offers "BegabungsBlick" (Talent Insight), which provides highly gifted children and young people, as well as their parents and teachers, with counseling and tailor-made services, Rita Crecelius uses "ICDP" techniques to teach care workers not only how to interact positively with children and residents, but also how to maintain a self-caring attitude toward their own well-being.

All three gave impressive accounts of how they started their businesses, giving the audience an authentic insight into the wonderful and challenging moments they had experienced. What they also had in common was the support they received from GründerinnenConsult and the Social Innovation Center. During their presentations and the subsequent panel discussion, Claudia, Claudia, and Rita talked about the advice they had received and the individual "modules" they had taken advantage of during their start-up process. All three felt very well supported and advised the interested women to remember one thing above all else: you don't have to do it alone! Take advantage of the great opportunities that are available!

After this energetic evening, even those who were still undecided went home with lots of new ideas and motivation.

At this point, we would like to draw your attention to the Value Proposition Canvas, which is used to review a business idea: https://digitalzentrum-hannover.de/wp-content/uploads/articulate_uploads/Lernnugget_VPC_v2-Veroeffentlicht8/index.html

We would like to express our sincere thanks to Ingrid Freels, Berit Lüdecke, and Nina Kaienburg for their great cooperation, and to Claudia Wonnemann, Claudia Völkening, and Rita Crecelius for their willingness to share their experiences with us and provide everyone with a great deal of courage and confidence!

How diverse am I, and if so, who else is?

The first network meeting in 2022 was all about diversity. Dr. Sievers from Leibniz University gave a vivid introduction to the topic: What does diversity mean? How diverse am I myself?

Together, we collected ideas about the areas in which diversity exists. Among other things, age, origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity were mentioned. All these things are part of our personality, they define us and enrich us!

Unfortunately, discrimination is also part of the topic of diversity. Dr. Sievers explained "unconscious bias": even if we are enlightened and reflective, we still carry stereotypes and prejudices with us that influence our perception, either positively or negatively.

In a work context, this often means that diversity is seen as an obstacle, as people are attributed certain characteristics or behaviors based on their diversity aspects. As a result, managers often tend to hire people who are similar to them or with whom they associate positive characteristics. But diversity is not only an enrichment for a team, it also has economic advantages for companies, which is why it is worth promoting!

How does that work? There are many approaches to diversity management: you become aware of the structures within the company, identify where action is needed, and develop measures to promote diversity in a targeted manner.

Monday, February 21, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Online via "Webex"

Our topic this time is: How diverse am I, and if so, who else is?

Far too often, we focus on our weaknesses: I didn't succeed at that. I could have done better. If only I could...? Why can't I...?

In part, these thoughts are shaped by our socialization: As a woman, I have to hold back. I wasn't born here, so I have to adapt. I'm past the age where you do that. But it is precisely these characteristics that present opportunities for us as individuals and as a society—we just have to recognize them.

All of this is part of "diversity management," an approach that sees diversity as a resource. At our first network meeting this year, we are eagerly awaiting a presentation by Dr. Isabel Sievers, Diversity Management Officer at Leibniz University Hannover, who will show us how unconscious prejudices and attitudes can inhibit and slow down us or other people in our environment.

We will also take a look at the opportunities that diversity opens up. Let's work together to recognize negative attributions and counter them with something positive. We look forward to hearing about your experiences and finding ways to embrace diversity together.

Registration

If you are interested, you can register directly online by clicking here.

If you would like to be kept up to date on network meetings, current events, and job opportunities from our network, join our LinkedIn group "Welcome Back Online."

The Coordination Office for Women and Careers in the Hanover Region is funded by the State of Lower Saxony and the European Union.