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HSF Development Cooperation
HSF Chairwoman meets with NCAF Officers

On the occasion of her official visit to the Philippines from 27 to 29 January 2016, the Chairwoman of the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF), Prof. Ursula Männle together with the Deputy Head of South and Southeast Asian Division of the Institute of International Cooperation, Ms. Sylvia Strassner, met with key officers of the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation (NCAF), HSF’s long-standing partner organization in the country, to strengthen existing development cooperation.

HSF

NCAF Trustee, Mrs. Victoria Elisa Aquino-Dee along with and its President and Executive Director, Mr. Rafael C. Lopa, warmly welcomed Prof. Männle and her party, and expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to meet with them.  Prof. Männle intimated that one of the objectives of their visit was to get to know the partners better and hear first-hand how joint projects are going on.  In addition, she expressed her interest to discuss plans for future cooperation, particularly for the project period 2017 to 2019.

Mr. Lopa acknowledged the successful partnership between the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) and the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation, and noted that they value the work of HSF in the Philippines.  As for future plans, he shared interesting opportunities that can be pursued related to peace and development efforts in Mindanao especially in the ARMM region, anti-poverty initiatives in cooperation with the private sector and church-based organizations, addressing economic and social issues, and promoting understanding between Christians and Muslims, among others.  Moreover, he expressed support to the UN Sustainable Development Goals in building a broad-based constituency working on key thematic areas such as education, health, environmental management, economic development, and security.  Mrs. Aquino-Dee, who is also a trustee of the Assisi Foundation, emphasized that the pursuit for peace is the underlying thrust of these initiatives.

HSF

Prof. Männle underscored the importance of promoting mutual understanding and consensus between and among stakeholders.  She encouraged further talks between HSF, through its new Representative to the Philippines, Mr. Götz Heinicke, and NCAF in cooperation with other organizations to explore possible joint initiatives for the next project cycle.  The partners committed to continue working together in the future, and expressed gratitude for the trust, respect and friendship established over long years of cooperating with each other.

 

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