Conference on HSF’s Development Cooperation Work in the Philippines
Twenty Seven Years of Hanns Seidel Foundation Work in the Philippines with Paul Schäfer

HSF

Among the activities mentioned were partnerships with educational and training institutions to support the conduct of seminars and training activities for professionals and skilled workers, strengthening democratic structures, and in enhancing partnerships between the government and the private sector.  Other activities fostered the creation and growth of cooperatives as practical vehicle for promoting self-reliance, financial inclusion, and micro- and small enterprises in the countryside.  In addition, she mentioned program partnerships on human rights, police training and justice sector reform where the HSF provided technical and funding assistance.

These activities were largely designed, implemented, and administered by Paul G. Schäfer, who retired in January 2016 after serving for 27 years as the HSF Resident Representative to the Philippines.  In the course of his assignment, Mr. Schäfer experienced the changes in the socio-political landscape of the country and was able to identify and pursue opportunities for the Foundation to successfully pursue its development goals.

HSF

Among the education and training organizations that closely identified with Mr. Schäfer and the Hanns Seidel Foundation are the: Center for Research and Communication which was the precursor of the University of Asia and the Pacific and presently considered one of the leading higher educational institutions in the country, the Dualtech Center, the Batangas State University (formerly the Pablo Borbon Memorial Institute of Technology), the Punlaan School, the Tarlac Training Center, and PinoyME Foundation, among others.

In furtherance of the HSF’s human rights development, police training, and justice sector reform programs, Mr. Schäfer established critical linkages with nongovernmental organizations including the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation, the Alternative Law Groups, Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates; and government agencies such as the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, the Philippine Public Safety College, and the Department of Justice.

In addition to in-country activities, Mr. Schäfer arranged for, and accompanied the Philippine partners’ representatives to information exchange visits to Germany for the latter to meet with their counterparts in the Federal and State Governments and compare and learn from their respective experiences.

According to Catherine Pulsifer, "Retirement may be an ending, a closing, but it is also a new beginning."  It has also been described as the “world’s longest coffee break” with many more continuing to work and drinking (their coffee) at the same time.  For sure, Mr. Schäfer is already drawing up his list of things to do and he will be active in the development field albeit in a more relaxed pace.  We congratulate him for a most fulfilling assignment and extend our best wishes.