New member of the “Communications & Fundraising” Department

Since July 1, Charlotte Kossler has been strengthening the UEM’s “Communications & Fundraising” team as a new editor. She will oversee print media such as the UEM Journal and manage online communications through the website and social media channels. In the following interview, she talks about her international experience, her expectations, her journalistic approach, and some personal details.

What attracted you to VEM, and what’s new for you?

I was particularly drawn to UEM’s international focus. I lived in Malaysia for a year as part of a volunteer service program. That experience shaped my perspective on other cultures and ways of life and showed me how enriching cross-border exchange can be. I find it exciting to experience this in a professional context and to write here about international partnerships, especially about the people behind the projects and programs.

What’s new for me is interchurch cooperation on an international level. I haven’t had any prior experience with that. But I’m looking forward to getting to know the structures here and understanding what it means to work together across continents.

International ecumenism and mission are broad concepts. Which of these sounds more familiar to you right now, and which still feels a bit foreign?

For me, “ecumenism” sounds more familiar. I associate it with living out our faith together, collaboration, exchange, and mutual learning. I’d like to rediscover the concept of “mission,” which isn’t entirely familiar to me. It has been shaped very differently throughout history and is often understood differently today than it was in the past. Mission doesn’t have such a good reputation here in Germany, but I find it exciting to discover how it’s lived out and viewed here on an international level.

You’ll be writing about topics ranging from Wuppertal to Tanzania and the Philippines. As an editor, what excites you most about this?

First and foremost, I’m excited to report on this diversity—to write about people from different parts of the world, get to know their stories, and highlight both their similarities and differences. From my year abroad, I know how much we can learn from one another when we open ourselves up to other perspectives. I’m really drawn to covering exactly these kinds of encounters as a journalist.

What does good journalism mean to you in an international church organization—where do you see opportunities, and perhaps challenges, in that context?

For me, good journalism means, first and foremost, listening carefully, picking up on the nuances, and researching thoroughly—including what might influence the broader context—and thereby giving people a voice. For me, the opportunity lies in bringing to light perspectives that people in Germany might otherwise overlook. The challenge is to take these different contexts seriously and to cover topics in a way that is understandable without oversimplifying them.

As an editor, which book, text, or story has influenced you the most?

I’ve always read a lot, even as a child—I especially loved books by Cornelia Funke. That’s also where I discovered my passion for writing books myself. I didn’t end up becoming an author, but an editor—though at least I’ve stayed true to writing.

And finally—three fun facts about you.

1. First of all, I lived in Malaysia for a year. I’m not sure if that still counts as a fun fact after this interview.
2. I’m also a founding member of a “Kegelclub”.
3. And Charlotte is actually my middle name, but I’ve always been called Charlotte.
 

Thank you very much, Ms. Kossler!

The questions were asked by Martina Pauly.