Hans Koechler Political and Philosophical Society

Press Release

Manila, 18 October 2006

Hans Koechler Political and Philosophical Society celebrates 3rd anniversary; voices concern over world tensions

Named after Austrian Professor Hans Koechler, foremost advocate of civilizational dialogue, the HK Political and Philosophical Society celebrated its third founding anniversary on October 18, 2006, with a dinner-meeting in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines. The group received Dr. Koechler's call "to work together to contain threats to global peace" and to ease tensions between the Muslim world and the West.

Led by president Dr. Fatemah Remedios C. Balbin, the event was attended by co-founders Danilo Real, organic farming advocate; Air Force Col. Romeo Poquiz; indigenous peoples' rights activists Ponciano Bennagen and Leonardo Estacio Jr.; Prof. Honesto Cueva, former Dean at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines; political analyst Dr. Abdulhusin Kashim; and Atty. Neri Colmenares, Chairperson of CODAL (Counsels for Defense of Liberties).

General Jaime de los Santos, former President of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association, initiated the formation of the Executive Committee to tackle pressing concerns arising from international developments; the schedule of activities in the next 12 months, particularly the regular presentation of research papers by members; and the Society's participation at the IPO-sponsored "Southeast Asian Conference on Religion and Non-violence" set in 2007, in the Philippines or Malaysia.

Writer-biographer Dr. Jaime B. Ramirez, cooperativism leaders Esperanza Dowling, Pangalian Maniri, and Dean Jorge Sibal of the University of the Philippines School of Labor and Industrial Relations, together with Department of Education policymaker, Atty. Gloria Fajardo, and Quezon City Technical Assistant Rene Bunoan contributed their views on the issue of assuring workers a better income and quality of life.