German "Hanns Seidel" Bids Farewell to Regional Director with Honoring Ceremony in Bethlehem

Bethlehem - The German Hanns Seidel Foundation in Jerusalem organized a ceremony in Bethlehem to honor Ms. Julia Obermeier, the Foundation's Regional Director, on the occasion of her departure from the Foundation in Jerusalem. The event was attended by the new director, Mr. Steffen Kudella, Ms. Miriam Schmidt, Director of the International Communication Department in the Foundation, and several partner institutions in the West Bank.

During the ceremony, Obermeier expressed her gratitude and bid farewell to Palestine after five years of both rewarding and challenging experiences. She appeared in a black dress, a customary attire in Germany for attending funerals, symbolizing the mixed emotions she felt. She expressed pride in the local community, as well as the Foundation's partners and friends, with whom she had worked closely to promote the principles of sustainable development, democracy, and the support of ecotourism and sustainability on the ground.

In his address, the newly appointed director, Steffen, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to work with the Hans Seidel Foundation in Jerusalem. He eagerly anticipated commencing his work in Palestine, where he aimed to advance the goals of sustainable development, democracy, good governance, and regional dialogue. Steffen reminisced about his previous experience of visiting various areas in Palestine, such as Nablus, Jenin, Ramallah, Bethlehem, Hebron, and the Dead Sea. He fondly recalled the warm hospitality of Palestinian families, who often invited him and his friends into their homes for tea and coffee during their visits.

Meanwhile, Schmidt expressed her heartfelt appreciation to Julia for her dedicated work in Palestine. She also acknowledged the tremendous efforts of the office staff in implementing projects that required significant commitment from the main office of the Hans Seidel Foundation in Munich. Schmidt extended her gratitude to all partners and staff members, highlighting their valuable ideas, initiatives, and unwavering dedication, which had contributed to the successful realization of various projects.

By organizing the honoring ceremony, the German Hanns Seidel Foundation paid tribute to Ms. Julia Obermeier, recognizing her significant contributions during her tenure as the Regional Director. The event marked a transition to a new phase under the leadership of Mr. Steffen Kudella, as the Foundation continued its commitment to fostering sustainable development, democracy, and regional cooperation in Palestine.