Former Scholars’ Year-End Gathering
Revitalising Meeting Convenes Fresh Board, Recent Alumna, New HSF Resident Representative

Poised to start 2024 with a new team on the Board, what are the Hannsiklub’s priorities and goals for the upcoming term?   How does the new Resident Representative envision former scholars actively contributing to the organization's goals?  As 2023 nears its conclusion, eighteen former scholars of the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) in the Philippines assembled online and in person (in Makati City) on 04 December 2023 for the Hannsiklub’s Fourth Quarter General Membership Meeting and address outstanding matters.

The Hannsiklub’s regular meetings are crucial as they provide the members with an opportunity for meaningful exchanges and interaction amongst themselves and with the Foundation, serve as brainstorming venues for projects and for fundraising initiatives, facilitate networking opportunities, and foster a sense of community. 

The alumni warmly received the new HSF Resident Representative in the Philippines, Mr. Alexander Birle, who assumed his role in the country middle of September 2023.  They welcomed his confirmation of the Foundation’s continued support for alumni activities and expressed their interest in engaging in its project activities and commitment to maintain an active membership.

Joining the meeting online from Bonn, Germany was Ms. Nicole Emellie Yu, who completed her Master of European Studies – Governance and Regulation at the Center for European Integration Studies (ZEI, Zentrum für Europäische Integrationsforschung) at the University of Bonn on September of 2022 with HSF’s support.  She expressed gratitude for connecting with Mr. Birle and her fellow former HSF scholars virtually.  Ms. Yu also hinted at a potential visit to the Philippines in 2025 for a project she is currently collaborating on with a company in Bonn, Germany.

HSF

In an effort to help increase the alumni’s awareness of the environmental impact of their choices and to promote environmental responsibility, Engr. Rodelio B. Espinosa, Hannsiklub’s Vice President for Internal Affairs and Head of Sales in Krones Filipinas, Inc. gave a presentation on the company’s sustainable packaging solutions for polyethylene terephthalate (PET), glass, and cans, with a focus on eco-friendly practices in the Philippines and China.  It served to showcase the company’s latest advancements in the industry, inspiring innovation and driving technological progress.

Mr. Birle's talk at the meeting emphasised the importance of HSF alumni’s involvement in the Foundation’s project activities.  He encouraged the former scholars to actively involved and proposed the formation of a think tank to provide guidance on policy matters.  He underscored the significance of leveraging their specialised expertise and networks towards contributing to the Foundation’s initiatives.

The newly-elected six-member Board of Trustees, supported by a Council of Presidential Advisers (COPA) comprising all past presidents, reaffirmed the goals of the group to continue regular meetings, promoting alumni work, implement various activities that can effectively engage the alumni, strengthen relationships, and encourage active participation in various projects that align with the Foundation's initiatives.

Known as the organised group of former HSF scholars from the Philippines, the Hannsiklub comprises Germany alumni from the first batch of HSF scholars in 1983, that included young professionals from different fields of expertise who completed two-year further study and training programs in Germany with the support of the Hanns Seidel Foundation.  This was succeeded by several more batches in the following years.

Less than ten years later, the Hannsiklub was established in 1992 by the alumni during the first Nachkontaktkonferenz (“Follow-up Contact Conference”) held in the Philippines.  The primary objective of the association was for the group to remain in contact with each other and to keep alive the memories and experiences in Germany.  The alumni also wanted to maintain and strengthen their contact to Germany and to the Foundation.

Altogether, the regular meeting fostered collaboration and knowledge-sharing amongst alumni, together with Mr. Birle, encouraging active participation and providing networking opportunities.  They exchanged stories, shared insights, and discussed challenges and successes, drawing on their specialised expertise to provide valuable guidance.  The evening was filled with camaraderie and a sense of shared purpose as they looked forward to continuing their collaboration and making a positive impact in the future.

The new Hannsiklub Board will conduct a more in-depth discussion with its membership for the preparation and finalisation of its proposed Plan of Activities for 2024 that will be forwarded to the HSF for possible consideration for support.  The next Board Meeting is scheduled to be held in the first quarter of 2024, in preparation for the holding of the First Quarter General Membership Meeting in 2024.