Sabine Gürtner
Sabine Gürtner completed her Master Studies in International Relations and Economics at the University of Munich in Germany, including research studies in the USA and in Kenya. She worked several years with Infratest, a research institute, on labour market developments in Europe. She then turned to an international career, starting as a programme officer with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Brazil (92-93), followed by an assignment as External Relations Officer with the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) (93-97) in New York. In 1998, Sabine Gürtner went to work as an advisor to the Government of Burkina Faso, West Africa, and assisted with the implementation of a poverty alleviation programme in the Sahel region. Back in Germany, she worked on international social standards, economic rights questions and on strengthening civil society organisations, with a regional focus on Asia and the Pacific.
Since 2003, she coordinates WOMNET, a women’s networking bureau on gender and global governance, which was set up with support of the German Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth. WOMNET acts as an advocate for gender equality and social development and works strategically, linking women’s rights groups’ positions and needs to global governance instruments (Resolutions and Conventions) and institutions (UN, EU). Apart from focussing on the North South Dialogue and the effects of globalisation, WOMNET has expanded its activities to network on gender and social issues with NGOs in Eastern Europe, the EU Neighbouring Countries, and Central Asia. Mrs. Gürtner regularly consults national governments, parliamentarians, NGO-networks and international organisations on gender mainstreaming and strengthening civil society dialogue and has contributed to numerous publications on international relations.
Mrs. Gürtner is member of Team Europe of the European Commission in Germany. She is consulting with DG-Relex and EuropeAid on the EU-Neighbourhood Policy and Instruments.