European Movement Germany (EM Germany) is a non-partisan network of interest groups in the field of EU politics in Germany. It cooperates closely with all EU stakeholders on a national and European level, most particularly with the German Federal Government and the European Commission. The EM Germany network consists of 250 member organisations representing various social groups including business and professional associations, trade unions, educational and academic institutions, foundations and political parties, amongst others. The network aims to continually improve, in close cooperation with political institutions, communication on European politics, European perspectives and the coordination of European policy, all in close cooperation with political institutions. The EM Germany network is a member of European Movement International.
Activities, projects and policy
European Movement Germany is a not-for-profit, registered organisation, recognised and supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and by the federal budget at institutional level. EM Germany is therefore not a non-governmental organisation in the narrow sense. Its legal status and institutional relationship to the Foreign Office is similar to the Goethe Institute. In 2015, EM Germany came to a framework agreement with the German Foreign Office. The organisation works closely with the European Division of the Foreign Office as regards content and organisation. Following the European Division, certain concepts of European communication and policy-planning were adopted. Within this framework, EM Germany provides information sessions on European topics to its member organisations. Topics range from discussions of the commission's consultation procedure to information events on the decisions of the European Council.
EM Germany is further responsible for choosing running the application process for German students who wish to apply for scholarships to the College of Europe in Bruges and Natolin. In addition, the EM Germany organises the European Competition, a student competition in which students of all ages submit creative, artistic, or written pieces of work on the activities of the European Union.
The main activities of the EM Germany include commenting on the regulatory framework of German European policy, European Public Relations and posing general questions on the development of the European Union.
Cooperation with other organisations
The network differs from the Europa-Union Deutschland or the Paneuropean Union in that it is not open to private membership. EM Germany works primarily to improve the acceptance and the regulatory framework of European policy in Germany and avoids activities that could be better undertaken by its member organisations. The network works in an advisory capacity with representatives of the federal states on the coordination of European public relations in the German federal level, in the European Parliament, and the Commission. Together with its institutional partner, the Foreign Office, EM Germany promotes dialogue by organising events. Target groups include EU stakeholders, the federal government, the states, regions, and civil society.
Due to the multitude of EBD De-Briefings and EU analysis on important European developments, EM Germany has intensified its cooperation with its member organisations, the European Commission Representation in Germany, and other ministries. In 2009 the network was awarded the "Euractiv Award for Debating Europe Nationally".
Structure
The bodies of the European Movement Germany are composed as follows: the Annual General Meeting (AGM), the executive board, and the secretary general. The AGM convenes once a year. Each member organisation has one vote in the meeting. The board of directors leads the activities of the association and reflects the different areas of activity of the members: business, trade unions, education and science, political parties, and others. In June 2018, Dr. Linn Selle was elected president of the board. Current vice-presidents are Michael Gahler, MEP; Christian Petry MdB and Barbara Lochbihler MdB. The treasurer is Peter Hahn.
Bernd Hüttemann has been secretary-general of the EM Germany since 2003.
Honorary presidents are: Hans-Dietrich Genscher, former Federal Foreign Minister; Philipp Jenniger, former President of the Bundestag; Annemarie Renger, former President of the Bundestag; Walter Scheel, former German President; Dr Dieter Spöri, Rita Süssmuth, former President of the Bundestag; Wolfgang Thierse, former President of the Bundestag; Monika Wulf-Mathies, former EU Commissioner.
Furthermore, EM Germany is represented on the board of EM International.