The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Liberty (FNF) joined the
German community in celebrating Germany’s reunification
day at Mabuhay
Germany, an “exhibition showcasing Germany’s quality,
technology and tradition” on October 7-9, 2011 at Bonifacio
Global City, Taguig, Metro Manila.
FNF recently launchedIt’s
All About Freedom campaign aimed at explaining the concept
of freedom in an easily digestible way. It seeks to engage more
people in its activities and make them appreciate the value of
freedom as well as teach them to maximize its benefits. “i
am free” was plastered at the FNF booth, which
was a statement that people should exclaim vigilantly and responsibly.
At Mabuhay Germany, young and old took part in FNF’s survey:
Whom do you
want to free from? They were offered a list of choices that
concern societal and even personal hindrances to freedom. There
were 795 respondents, 256 of
which chose freedom from corrupt politicians.
68 people wanted freedom from unfair
court of justice while curiously enough, 55
were sick of unfaithful husbands or boyfriends.
67% of the respondents would like freedom from undesirable personalities
in the public sphere and there were 33% who would rather take
out infuriating people in their private lives.
The Freedom Wall where visitors wrote messages
for freedom was also in the FNF booth. People freely wrote anything
from their advocating freedom with responsibility to expressing
their admiration to German technology and for someone special. For
the scavenger hunt arranged by the German-Philippine
Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (GPCCI), the exhibitors were asked
to come up with a game. Mabuhay Germany visitors should approach
the booths and have their sheets stamped at every stop. FNF’s
challenge was for them to pronounce"Friedrich
Naumann Stiftung für die Freiheit". The
results were amazing. Watch the video.
“People at the exhibit were there to have fun, but they
took time to participate in our serious activities, too. They
contemplated their answers to our survey. They made an effort
to pronounce our German name and tried to understand what we do
as an organization. It is always worthwhile to take part in activities
that reach out to ordinary people,” said FNF Country Director
Jules Maaten. As part of It’s All About Freedom campaign,
FNF is arranging a Freedom
Run on 27 November 2011 which is also the birthday
of Ninoy Aquino, the father of current Philippine president Benigno
'Noynoy' Aquino. Ninoy’s assassination in 1983 sparked the
People Power Revolution.
The German reunification day celebrates the unity of Germany
as a single federal republic on 3 October 1990. This is the fourth
year that GPCCI has organized Mabuhay Germany.
