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by Ilika Karunaratne

There is a tinge of sorrow in Marlies Salazar's voice and demeanour, as she prepares to leave Sri Lanka after a couple of very happy years here when Marlies came here, from her last posting in St. Petersburg, Russia, in November, 2000 as Head of the Konrad Adenaure Foundation here. She was the first Head of the Foundation in Asia. "I feel that I have lived up to the confidence placed in me, and feel like a pioneer too, as my successor will also be a woman."

Perhaps an integral part of Marlies' success has been her special link to Asia as her husband is from the Philippines. "They wanted someone here with Asian experience. I have been very happy here, despite some difficulties at the beginning.

I was able to intensify and expand our work in more than one field. In political education, we work closely with The National Academy for Political Education, which provides an opportunity for youth in the country, to enter the political arena, if they wish to do so, through self reliance and leadership building. It is the first Institute of Political education in Sri Lanka and offers basic democratic educational programmes, especially for youth and advanced training for political leaders. The courses are designed to promote a better understanding of political values, political institutions and the political process, thus contributing to a greater identification of the participants with both the community and the State.

I have had the privilege of giving the opening lectures there on more than one occasion. They offer seminars for young people from the Universities and from the provinces and teach them the basic democratic values. I have been amazed and impressed by the high standard of the questions they ask and in their interest in the world outside.

What are the other aspects of your work? "We have sponsored a series of policy dialogue, with The Chamber of Commerce and The Center for Policy Alternatives on important political questions like The Peace Process, Privatization and Globalization. Still another focus of our work is Poverty Alleviation.

I have learned a lot here, and went to the grass roots to help the poor to help themselves; to help with ways and means of emancipating theme. I think our most successful work was with women's groups. Women tend to save more and are more responsible in paying back dues.

I must confess that I found it easier to work with women's groups at grass roots level than with Colombo based NGOs. I feel a great need for more programmes to make women more aware and more active in politics. There should be many more women in all stages of politics from Pradeshiya Sabhas upwards."

I think one aspect of Sri Lankan women that Marlies found it difficult to come to terms with was the lack of punctuality. I was with her once at an outstation function, where she was invited to be joint Chief Guest with a Sri Lankan lady. I knew that Marlies didn't want to ruffle anyone's feathers and complain, but I could sense her impatience, when she had to sit and twiddle her thumbs for a good two hours while the other Chief Guest was busy dressing and putting on her make up, keeping everyone waiting, and then sauntering in without an apology. Such bad manners would be rebuked elsewhere, but in Sri Lanka, this kind of behaviour is not only tolerated, it is rewarded! Marlies has done her job here, admirably; with energy, vitality and absolute pragmatism, and pushes to the heart of the matter in any given situation.

She says what she has to say, is honest, brief and to the point. She finds it difficult to comprehend why some people witter on about trivialities, as her intention is to get on with the job in hand and bring it to a successful conclusion.

As we are all agitated at the moment by the several cases of rape highlighted, particularly in the Sinhalese media, I asked Marlies what remedial and preventive measures, she thought were necessary. "More awareness programmes, more action by womens groups. It is very important for school authorities and the police to work together to protect schoolgirls. Womens group should also agitate for more women in the police and the judiciary to deal with these cases. I feel that the perpetrators get off very easily here."

"Another aspect of my work was arranging for MPs from here to go to Germany to study the political system.

We have also helped young lecturers with funding for their Masters and for field research. My work here includes India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan, so we have helped with women's issues and poverty alleviation throughout this area. It is necessary for youth to have a vision for the future and to foster unity among youth of the Asian nations. We arranged a seminar here last year for South Asian women to meet and exchange ideas. My aim was to promote networking among them towards women's empowerment and equity.

I am very sad to leave Sri Lanka, and have been all over the country, even to Jaffna, Trincomalee and Batticaloa. My headquarters have asked me to come here to organise a seminar on Federalism in the near future. I have written many articles on Sri Lanka which have been published in Germany and on internet.

I think I am now considered quite an expert on the subject and have been asked to update the section on Sri Lanka in "Munzinger Archive" which is like an encyclopedia of all nations. We have a most successful project in Kurunegala too where, we help with advice and expertise for the promotion of economic growth for small and medium industries."

As she prepares to leave us, there seems to be some inner force of optimism, gently leading her by the hand. Marlies is confident that she will be back, probably with some project of her own to help our country. She is a woman of vision, has an aura of power and strength and clearheaded analytical deduction.

I don't think she is ready for retirement yet. She has a lot more to offer and seems restless for a challenge. She is strong, independent, and is a formidable player in commitment to a cause. It would be futile to pit one's wits against her, in an argument, or on any matter at all.

The past is irrelevant; it's where you are and where you are going that is important. Marlies is quite sure of where her path lies and what the future holds. All this will I'm sure unfold like a rich, intricate tapestry, taking on a different shape and form, but just as rewarding as the past has been.

Marlies, is however, looking forward to being reunited with her three children. The link that binds mother and child, is stronger than any other, even when one's child is an adult. It is an unbreakable bond.

"A mother's tender care never ceases for the child she bare."

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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