In the fall of 2022, the women of Atlantik-Brücke came together to form the Female Network Initiative. Why was this step important and meaningful?
The Female Network wants to contribute to the visibility of women in Atlantik-Brücke. We want to promote diversity within the association and strengthen the influence of female members. Finally, we want to make Atlantik-Brücke more attractive to female decision-makers.
What has the Female Network achieved so far?
Since its inception, the Female Network has already organized five high-profile events, which are timed to coincide with important dates in Atlantik-Brücke’s calendar in order to enable as many women as possible to participate, to network with each other and to create greater visibility. For example, the Female Network hosted two side events at the Munich Security Conference and organized an event at Atlantik-Brücke’s annual general meeting.
Are there specific issues that the Female Network addresses?
The women’s network covers a wide range of topics: For example, Green Party leader Ricarda Lang and FDP member of parliament Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann spoke about German foreign and security policy. Pakistani Minister of State Rabbani Khar, OSCE Secretary General Helga Schmid and feminist activist Kristina Lunz discussed the state of feminist foreign policy. And Franziska Brantner (State Secretary at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection), Phumzile van Damme (former Member of Parliament for South Africa) and Alina Polyakova (President of the Center for European Policy Analysis) spoke about the impact of artificial intelligence on our democracy.
What are the Female Network’s plans for the future?
There will of course be more high-profile events in the coming months. At the same time, we want to strengthen our presence in the regional groups. Our goal is to establish the Female Network as an integral part of Atlantik-Brücke. Last but not least, we want to contribute to the fact that the percentage of female members in Atlantik-Brücke continues to increase.
Contact person for the Female Network Initiative: Franka Ellman, f.ellman(at)atlantik-bruecke.org