The purpose of the Felm International Advisory Board (FIAB) is to advise Felm in the implementation of its vision and mission, particularly related to its strategy and its international program work, related policies, and partnerships. It advises the Governing Board of Felm and the executive management of Felm.
Members 2025–2027
President, Rev. Dr Bruk Ayele Asale, Mekane Yesus Seminary, Ethiopia (Co-Chair)
Bishop, Dr. Mari Parkkinen, Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church/Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission (Co-Chair)
President Rev. Selma Chen, Lutheran Church of Taiwan
Country Director Ms. Sokny Onn, Epic Arts, Cambodia
Bishop, Rev. Gerardo A Hands, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Venezuela
Ms. Eva Azar, Education Director, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Jordan and the Holy Land
Mr. Admire Mutizwa, Director, Zimbabwe Council of Churches
Ms. Sarah Sigdel, Project Officer, SAHAS, Nepal (youth representative)
Membership
The Felm International Advisory Committee (FIAB) consists of eight (8) members. Seven members represent Felm’s international partners. One member represents Felm’s Governing Board.
The FIAB membership reflects regional and gender balance and includes youth participation. The members bring expertise from various aspects of the Felm strategic priorities.
The FIAB members are playing an active professional or voluntary roles in the Felm partner organizations. If the person leaves Felm partner organization during her/his mandate in FIAB, he/she resigns.
Co-Chairs and the role of the Management
The representative of the Felm’s Governing Board acts as a co-chair of FIAB. Another co-chair is appointed among the seven members representing Felm’s international partners. The Felm Executive Director convenes the meeting and is responsible for its preparations assisted by the Director of International Work. The Felm Global Management Team attends the meetings of FIAB as deemed necessary.
Appointment
The Felm Governing Board appoints the members of the FIAB from among the Felm partners for a period of three years for a maximum of two terms. Should a member resign in the middle of the term the Felm Governing Board replaces the persons for the remaining mandate.
Meetings
FIAB meets two times a year. One meeting is face-to-face meeting, another an online gathering. FIAB may have additional meetings if necessary. Felm covers all the costs of the meetings. If the FIAB member is not employed by the partner organization, but a volunteer, Felm pays a nominal participation allowance.
Tasks
The overall role of FIAB is to advise Felm in the implementation of its vision and mission. This includes advise on
• the strategic priorities of Felm
• the international program of Felm and its implementation
• the policies relevant to Felm’s international program
• the Felm partnership policy
• the Felm Fellowship
• resource mobilization for Felm and its partners, as relate to Felm’s international program.
To give advice FIAB receives reports on progress, evaluations, and other relevant documents. The Felm Executive Director or the person appointed by her/him will minute the FIAB meetings. The meeting outcomes are shared at the Felm Governing Board.
