Stiene Van Rie For several years now, she has been contributing to various Amsab-ISG projects. For example, she contributed to the DHKD exhibition. Currently, in celebration of our magazine's 30th anniversary, she is developing Bread & Roses, a series of modules for the educational package for students in the third year of general secondary education (ASO). In this package, she translates social themes such as child labor and reduced working hours to the world of young people, by connecting historical developments with contemporary challenges.
Stiene's involvement with Amsab-ISG goes back a long way. In 1980, as a history student, she first encountered our organization, which was still in its early stages. After graduating, she worked there for a year, after which she continued her career at the ABVV (General Federation of Belgian Workers' Unions), where she held various positions, including advisor to the research department and director of Personnel & Organization. Throughout these years, she remained involved with Amsab-ISG as a member of the General Assembly.
Although history was less of a focus during her professional career, her interest remained strong. After her retirement, she decided to actively rekindle that passion within our organization.
Also Gert Verdonck is a dedicated volunteer in our organization. She works for the archives of Amnesty International, an organization she has been closely involved with for many years.
To mark Amnesty's 65th anniversary, Gert is collaborating on two special projects. She is contributing to the development of a website with background information, interviews, and unique archive material from the pioneers of Amnesty International Flanders. She is also one of the driving forces behind an exhibition about Amnesty's campaigns over the years. This exhibition can be viewed at St. Nicholas' Church in Ghent, starting during the Ghent Festivities, and offers a compelling retrospective of decades of human rights engagement.
Before retiring, Gert was a research associate at the Social and Economic Council of Flanders (SERV). Her volunteer work at Amsab-ISG aligns seamlessly with her professional background and interests. She combines a passion for research with a keen interest in the recent history of social movements. Her work on the Amnesty archive allows her to delve into the history of an organization close to her heart. In her own words: "That's what I love doing most and what energizes me."
Thank you, Stiene, Gert, and all our other volunteers, for your incredibly valuable work!
