ICMA Global Members’ Meeting – Antwerp September 2023

ICMA Global Members’ Meeting – Antwerp September 2023

Introduction: ICMA invited its members to the 2023 global meeting in Antwerp, Belgium from 19-20 September 2023. The meeting was hosted by the ecumenical team at Antwerp Seafarers’ Welfare. The seminar focused on key trends and challenges in seafarers’ welfare of common interest to our members. The meeting took place in the iconic Havenhuis of the Antwerp Port Authority.

Hotel: Harbour Hotel (Noorderlaan 100, 2030 Antwerpen, Belgium).

Meeting Location: Antwerp Port Authority – Havenhuis, Zaha Hadidplein 1, B-2030, Antwerp

Photos: View photos of the event here.

Tuesday 19 September

• Session 1 – Best Practices for Digital Support for Seafarers’ Welfare
  • Rev’d Mark Nestlehutt (Seamen’s Church Institute) – “MLC, 2006 and Internet for Seafarers: Status and Possibilities for Advocacy”
  • Sara Baade (Sailors’ Society) – “Sailors’ Society and 24/7 Virtual Support”
  • Rev. Leon Rasser (Amsterdam) – “Using Facebook for Pastoral Support of Seafarers: Experience and Best Practices”
  • Discussion
• Session 2 – Seafarers’ Welfare: Government Perspectives
  • Rev. Matthias Ristau – “Deutsche Seemannsmission and Funding from the German Government”
  • Marianne Kloosterboer – Nederlandse Zeevarenden Centrale – Finding Funds for Seafarers’ Welfare in the Netherlands
  • Arjen van der Veen – Nederlandse Zeevarenden Centrale – Facilities and Funding For Seafarers’ Welfare Centres
  • Justyna Bartnicka – Policy Officer in the Maritime Safety Unit, DG MOVE of the European Commission

Wednesday 20 September

• Session 3 – ICMA Annual General Meeting and Program Updates – Dr. Jason Zuidema
• Session 4 – Promoting Ecumenism Within ICMA Membership – Dr. Jason Zuidema, “Ecumenical seafarers’ welfare work in North America: history and learnings for the global ICMA Network” (no recording available)

For more information: gensec@icma.as