Picture a hub where church interests meet European policy. This is the EKD-Büro Brüssel. It is the office of the Protestant Church in Germany within the EU.
The EKD-Büro Brüssel has been active since 1990. It represents the Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland. The office watches European lawmaking. It shares church views with EU bodies. Katrin Hatzinger has directed it since 2008.
What exactly does the EKD-Büro Brüssel do? It addresses key European issues. These issues come from the church’s public role. The office deals with human rights in asylum policy. It considers ethics in research funding. The EKD-Büro Brüssel promotes civilian approaches to foreign policy. It also focuses on the social side of Europe’s strategies.
The office also tracks the EU’s political changes. It watches the EU’s links to religious groups. The EKD-Büro Brüssel acts as a resource for church groups. It offers reports on Brussels’ politics from a church angle. “Europa-Informationen” shares current political events. “FörderInfo Aktuell” informs about EU funding. The EKD-Büro Brüssel advises church groups on EU policy. It especially helps with funding projects.
Visiting groups can learn about the office’s work. They discover how the EU works. They explore the role of churches in Brussels. The EKD-Büro Brüssel also hosts public discussions. These events highlight Protestant views in Brussels.
The EKD is a group of 20 independent regional churches. These churches are Lutheran, Reformed, and Uniate. About 23.4 million people belong to these churches. The EKD-Büro Brüssel represents these members.
In 2014, the EKD-Büro Brüssel declared lobbying costs of 742260 Euro. It had eight full-time lobbyists. Five lobbyists had EP accreditation. The office had 16 high-level meetings with the Commission.
The EKD is part of several church groups. These are the Conference of European Churches and others. The EKD-Büro Brüssel is part of networks like the “European Platform on Asylum and Migration.”
What about the staff here at EKD-Büro Brüssel? The team includes a head of office. There is an assistant and an administration head. Legal advisors work here too. There are experts in youth, education, and EU funding. Katrin Hatzinger leads EU relations. She also has legal responsibility.
The EKD-Büro Brüssel targets many EU issues. These include asylum, migration, and research policy. They cover foreign policy and religious freedom. The office uses newsletters to share its work.
As you stand here think about the EKD-Büro Brüssel’s mission. It aims to bring religious values into European discussions. The office plays a key role. It links faith and policy in the heart of Europe.