Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) Sri Lanka
“Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought.” - Friedrich Naumann (1860-1919)
About us
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom was established in Germany in 1958 by the first Federal President of the Republic of Germany, Theodor Heuss. The Foundation aims to promote the goal of making the principle of freedom valid for the dignity of all people and in all areas of society, both in Germany and abroad.
Our work is funded by the German Parliament (Bundestag) through the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development, the Foreign Office and, increasingly by the European Union. The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom works in over 60 countries worldwide.
In South Asia, FNF has established offices in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Additionally FNF works with partners in Nepal, Bhutan and the Maldives.
The association of our Foundation for Freedom with Sri Lanka is five decades old. During the period 1968 to 2013, and upon recommencing its work in 2016 the Foundation’s work focuses on the core values of freedom and responsibility.
Our Projects in 2021 Sustainable Tourism Initiative
Is a joint initiative of our office in
Sri Lanka and the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri
Lanka) to promote sustainable tourism in Sri Lanka as a way to attract more tourists to the country. The project launched in August 2021 together with stakeholders in the industry, aims to transfer know-how like: trainings, process optimization and support for certification, creation of public awareness and setting up of a digital platform to promote sustainable tourism in Sri Lanka.
I – Lead to empower female leaders
Jointly with NextGenSL, we organised an event named “iLead”. It was held on 8th of
March 2021 to commemorate International Women’s day to put a spotlight on what reforms women felt they deserved, through having ten highly accomplished women to make a ten minute speech on what they would change and do differently if they were president of the country.
The ten influential women who were invited to give a speech were - Kasturi Chellaraj Wilson, group CEO of the Hemas conglomerate; Varuni Amunugama, the Joint Managing Director of the Triad group; Dr Santhushya Fernando, a Public Health Specialist and the Deputy Director of the Sri Jayawardenapura hospital; Sarah Kabir, activist and author; Sriyani Kulawansa,
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Continued from Page 8 former Olympic-qualified athlete; Nilshani de Silva, a disabled teacher and motivational speaker; Professor Janith Liyanage, ViceChairperson of the University Grants Commision; Ameena Hussein, a sociologist and author; Samadhani Kiriwandeniya, former Chairperson of the Sanasa Bank; and Indeewari Amuwatte, Head of English News at Ada Derana, who could not make it to the event.
De-regulation report
In support of the work of the Commission on the Simplification of Existing Laws and Regulations that was appointed by the President in January 2021 we prepared jointly with the
Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) a report. The Head of the Foundation in Sri Lanka, Hubertus von Welck, the Chief Delegate of the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka, Andreas Hergenröther, and the German Ambassador, Holger Seubert, met the Secretary to President of Sri Lanka,
Dr. P.B Jayasundara, in March this year to handover the report on “The Simplification of existing Laws and Regulations in
Sri Lanka” prepared by Stefan Claus Beisswenger. The report draws on the experiences of the FNF in other countries as well as information from member companies of the AHK Sri Lanka Sri Lanka.
#Restart 21
The FNF Sri Lanka embarked together with Economynext.com on an online video series under the Foundation’s #Restart21 campaign to discuss with leading representatives of business and industry ways to overcome the pandemic and to prepare for the future to encourage entrepreneurs, start-ups, politician as well as civil society to think ahead and overcome the pandemic.
New Project Director
Since 1st of October 2021 Wolfgang Heinze is heading the FNF Sri Lanka office. He took over from Hubertus von Welck who elevated the Colombo office to a new level. Although constrained by the difficult conditions due to the pandemic, von Welck was able to greatly strengthen the work, reach and presence of the FNF in the country. Wolfgang Heinze, who worked for the FNF in Myanmar, Malaysia, its head office in Potsdam and the Philippines, has taken over the responsibilities and will continue to strengthen the cooperation with the institutions and partners in Sri Lanka, to support the successful growth of Sri Lanka for the benefit of all citizens.