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20 June 2024 Directional: The FEMNET General Assembly discusses work priorities and elects new women on the Executive Board

The end of the early summer evening was well deserved – at the end of an intensive day, on which 37 participants had gathered in Bonn for the general assembly on 8 June 2024, the lively exchange, which had already begun in the morning, continued.

The Annual General Meeting was kicked off by CEO Dr. Gisela Burckhardt and Managing Director Johanna Hergt, who informed the members present in dialogue about the most important events of the reporting year 2023.

The main initiatives included supporting the minimum wage negotiations in Bangladesh, project work in the Textile Alliance and the continuous development of important dialogue structures within the framework of large multi-stakeholder partnerships in order to sustainably and in the long term improve working conditions in the factories and reduce existing health and environmental threats to the population.

The work in the Global South continued to be complemented by FEMNET's educational and advisory services for students as well as for the private sector and municipal enterprises. These included climate city tours or the support of cities such as Trier and Berlin in the inclusion of social-ecological criteria in procurement procedures.

After the presentation of the financial report, the report of the auditors and the discharge of the Executive Board, the division heads answered questions. In the World Café format, the members were able to gain in-depth insights into strategic and operational orientations.

After the lunch break, the participants started the second part together with a company representative who reported on the implementation of the Supply Chain Act from the company practice.

2024 Bureau: From left to right: Sabine Hartig, Aika Fischbeck, Anna Burst, Dr. Gisela Burckhardt, Franziska Wiethold, Lavinia Muth, it is missing: Elke Klemenz. © FEMNET
The main agenda item of the afternoon was the election of new board members. On behalf of all members, the management thanked Susanne Schmeier, Dr. Katharina Gahbler and May Blombach for their commitment in recent years. Aika-Maresa Fischbeck, Sabine Hartig and Lavinia Muth were elected as new members of the committee. All three new board members bring extensive experience from development cooperation, the textile industry as well as compliance and auditing. Dr. Gisela Burckhardt, together with her deputies Anna Burst and Franziska Wiethold, will continue to head the Executive Board.

The meeting concluded with a feedback round, from which we take some suggestions:

• For members, an annual review is interesting, but should not repeat the annual report. In dialogue form, e.g. between management and board of directors, highlights can be highlighted.
• The General Assembly as the highest organ of an association wants and should actively participate in the future viability of the organization. In the general meeting, therefore, more emphasis must be placed on strategic decisions, rather than on retrospective action.
• The informal exchange with our members is valuable. This requires a good atmosphere, time and also good food. The reception in the garden following our general meeting provided a nice setting to stay in conversation and give room for further ideas.