The “Global citizens” had flown thousands of miles from Africa, Asia and Europe to the great “rendezvous” in Colombo. One of the participants is Fred Wong Lap Kay from Hong Kong. Fred has got a bachelors degree in social work and he graduated as Master of Arts in Diaconic Management in April 2013. “I am very excited meeting my friends with whom I lived and studied in the different universities of our Mastercourse” he said. “I am also fascinated by the idea of interacting with new friends from K2. I hope that we will have memorable exchanges and a week full of colors”.
St. Gallen Management Model (SGMM) Generation IVIn his opening speech, Prof. Martin Büscher, Deputy Director of the Institute of Diaconic Management (IDM) and Programme Director of the MA Diaconic Management reiterated the unique profile of the programme being interdisciplinary designed, cross culturally tailored and flavoured by the integration of normative strategic and operative management. Latest developments of the main paradigm, the St. Gallen Management Model (SGMM) and the idea of Multi-Rational Management dealing with contradictory demands within an organisation were presented. “We are proud of you” he stated.”. “You were students, and now we meet you as leaders in your churches.” Graduates serve in various positions: bishop, general secretary, teacher, treasurer, head of diaconic departments. Five of the graduates pursue PhD-programs. “What once seemed to be a dream far big to reach”, Büscher confirmed, “has become reality!”
A new organisation IUDM
Speaking at the inauguration Angelika Veddeler, Executive Secretary of UEM Germany, said “It is such a profound joy for UEM to have those different professions, capacities and competencies blended together.We hope that the meeting will be a platform of learning, sharing and finally formalising an international network of diaconic managers!”
During the conference, participants gave reports about their present positions and the work they do in their churches since their return from studies. They also discussed structures for providing mutual consultancy and support. On 15. August, they elected the Board of the International Union of Diaconic Managers (IUDM), consisting of a chairman (Arulnathan Nadarajah, Sri Lanka), regional chairpersons (Hazel Corro-Navarra for Asia, Mathilde Umuraza for Africa, Heike Park for Germany), a communication officer (Fred Wong Lap Kay, Hongkong) and a treasurer (Peter Imponge, Congo DRC) .
Mathilde Umuraza