Lessons from history: Towards Democracy

German Embassy Manila shared UP Deutscher Verein's album.

Yesterday at 9:00am · 

Last October 12, Mr. Thorsten Gottfried, First Secretary for Culture of the German Embassy Manila, presented at the Alternative Classroom Learning Experience (ACLE) event organized by the UP Deutscher Verein. Mr. Gottfried talked about the eventful "Fall of the Berlin Wall" which ultimately changed the fate of the German nation towards a country of where values of democracy, freedom and human rights are strongly held.

Presenting on the Philippine experience of the 1986 EDSA Revolution was Prof. Josephine Dionisio of the UP Department of Sociology. Both events marked historical turning points in Germany and the Philippines respectively.

UP Deutscher Verein added 26 new photos to the album: ACLE 2017: Fall der Diktatur — at University of the Philippines.

October 14 at 7:35pm · 

Am 12. Oktober 2017 haben wir einen ACLE über den Fall der Berliner Mauer und die 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution veranstaltet. Herr Thorsten Gottfried (First Secretary for Cultural Affairs) der deutschen Botschaft und Frau Prof. Josephine Dionisio von dem UPD Sociology Department halten ihre Vorträge über die zwei unvergesslichen historischen Ereignisse. Mit der Hilfe von Herrn Prof.Danilo Manarpaac als Moderator hatten die TeilnehmerInnen und unsere Gäste eine erhellende und eingehende Diskussion über die Gemeinsamkeiten und Unterschiede der zwei Geschehen.

Wir möchten noch mal alle TeilnehmerInnen und Gäste für einen erfolgreichen ACLE herzlich bedanken.

Bis nächstes Mal!

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Last Thursday, 12 October, UPDV held an ACLE about the Fall of the Berlin Wall and the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution. Herr Thorsten Gottfried, First Secretary for Cultural Affairs of the German Embassy, and Prof. Josephine Dionisio of the UP Department of Sociology talked about the two unforgettable historical events. With the help of our moderator, Herr Danilo Manarpaac, the attendees and the guests had an enlightening and interesting discussion about the similarities and differences of the two events.

Once again, we would like to thank all the participants and guests for making our ACLE a massive success.

'Til next time!

Ruling by intimidation?

SAT, APRIL 9, 2016 BY THE MINDANAO DAILY MIRROR LEAVE A COMMENT

IN MY OPINION
Klaus Doring

Actually, I am not a fan of writing about such topics. Terrorism. Terrorism equals territorial changes, claims and/or violations? Terrorism equals terror and terror struck.

Fate’s irony: already in 2004, I have joined a round-table-conference and discussion about terrorism in this entire world. Check today’s headlines and these incidents hitting them: nothing made changes to it. Ad absurdum!

When are countries and people of this world going to understand that terrorists are destroying economies, our freedoms, our democracies, our religious freedoms and our way to life in a world?

World’s history showed us, that actually our freedom is such a  precious thing and the most prized possession that all free man have or should have. Many have given their lives in the past and many will in the future – just protecting their rights and liberties. But, we also should understand, that where ever we are living on this globe, we can’t avoid risks and weighs, and, that we can’t expect anything from countries and their governments doing something for us if it’s coming to “life against money”.

Fact is that democracy is a democratic process for a democratic society with a democratic system of law. Terrorists do not deserve any democratic process to be used on them at all. They work in the shadows to do their evil and deeds to society ending up killing innocent people for their warped sense of their distorted minds of what is right and wrong, as some “political leaders” in the Middle East show us very well nowadays.

“Silent leges inter arma!” (Law remains silent by force of arms) – as Cicero said already in his “Pro milone”.

I am pretty sure, that we all want to worship our God daily, try to live a good life and harm no one, and we expected to be treated the same by all. Our hearts might even forgive a terrorist and it perhaps learn to love him, because we have been taught not to carry hate for man.

And, isn’t it really ironic that as soon as we cage a terrorist that he seeks freedom – something he and all his peers originally set out to destroy? “Danse macabre”!

Psalm 91:5 says: “You’ll not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day!”

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Email me: doringklaus@gmail.com or follow me in Facebook or Twitter or visit www.germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot. com or www.klausdoringsclassicalmusic. blogspot.com.