The Important Link

What does a Regional Assembly do?

 

Regional Assemblies are held in all three regions of the UEM, Asia, Africa and Germany.

 

The German one has already taken place, and we will soon report here on the other two.

 

The members send their delegates of the General Assembly as well as additional delegates. The Regional Assemblies connect the members of the respective region more closely with each other. They do this primarily on three levels: The personal level, the program level, and the accountability level.

 

 

 

Personal networking:

 

During the pandemic, we all felt it: there is no substitute for genuine person-to-person encounters. That is why the UEM takes care that its members not only belong together on paper, but also find each other on a personal level. The Regional Assemblies are places for exchanging ideas about topics that are being discussed in the churches and in Bethel. What is on people’s minds? What changes are on the horizon? What should we start thinking about? As important as these questions are on a global level: Knowing local partners, trusting each other, and working together regionally in strong relationships – this is important. In order to make this happen, regional meetings strengthen relationships among churches and with Bethel.

 

 

 

Joint programs:

 

The regional assemblies decide which priority they give to which joint programs. These programs make up a large part of the work of the UEM, especially in the regions of Africa and Asia, for example in the coworker exchange or in our various volunteer services. Here, the global structure of the UEM becomes clear: It is not in Germany that decisions are made as to which programs have priority in the regions of Africa and Asia, but in these regions themselves. Personal networking is important, as is implementation in joint work: this is what the Regional Assemblies focus on. What are we doing together?

 

 

 

Shared responsibility:

 

The Regional Assemblies ensure that the work of the UEM is competently advised in their respective regions. Therefore, they appoint a Regional Board which, together with the respective executive secretary of the UEM, oversees and advises the work in the region. What do the members in a region need for the upcoming human rights campaign? Who will organize the next “Walk a Mile” together? Here, the Regional Assemblies and their Regional Boards provide sustainable structures for our joint work.

 

 

 

The regional assemblies are an integral part of the global community of the UEM: we get to know each other, we trust each other, and we work together. In a transparent structure accessible to all members, at the local level and across continents.