Mary Ann DeVlieg (IETM) and Yohann Floch (Circostrada Network) started to discuss in 2010 the idea of proposing to Secretary Generals of ‘organisations active at European level in the field of Culture’ (whether they were supported as such by the Culture programme or not) to meet in order to exchange on our daily work and practice.

Talking to coordinators of EU networks in many circumstances (e.g. at the EC events in Brussels, in structured dialogue platforms, in international conferences and seminars), it became obvious that we all needed to deepen our mutual understanding of our work, in order to compare and contrast the internal and external processes of our organisations.

Despite similar goals and long-term objectives (e.g. promoting arts and culture, representing members at EU level, supporting cultural projects, delivering research/ position papers), each organisation has its own working methods, job descriptions, members’ consultation processes, relations to Board members, etc – and even if we have the chance to meet (not always on a regular basis), we barely have the opportunity to tackle these issues.

Birgitta Persson (TEH) and Veronika Leiner (Eurozine) also expressed their wish to start an informal discussion group in order to share experiences and thoughts about leading an international organisation and the issues related to that such as communication with members spread over the world, management of staff, etc.

Aside from the Culture in Motion conference held in February 2011 in Brussels, Kathrin Deventer (EFA), Tara Schneider (OTM), Milica Ilic (IETM), Birgitta Persson (TEH), Simone Dudt (EMC), Veronika Leiner (Eurozine) met to map sub-topics that could be discussed in Malta (seminar/ staff retreat for Secretary Generals to be held at the end of 2011): EU grant management, work with the Board, staff management, work-life balance… IETM’s 3-Year Plan focuses on to try and work for better conditions for the Culture sector and Mary Ann DeVlieg proposed to exchange on working conditions and eventually try to create a standard of working and wage conditions for Secretary Generals.

> 5 – 7 December 2012 : Seminar for Secretary Generals in Valetta (Malta)

> 30 November – 2nd December 2011: Seminar for Secretary Generals to be hold in Valetta (Malta)

> 28 May 2011: Second meeting held in Brussels (Belgium) at the IETM office

> 15 - 16 Febuary 2011: First meeting on the occasion of the Culture in Motion conference held in Brussels (Belgium)