Reflections and Connections

No. 38 | March 2011 The Newsletter of the Association of Former Employees of the Asian Development Bank 25th A N REFLECTIONS N AND I CONNECTIONS V E R S A R Y IN THIS ISSUE Our Cover MARCH 2011 3 AFE–ADB 25th Anniversary 3 Message from ADB President Haruhiko Kuroda 3 AFE’s First President: Takeshi Watanabe 4 AFE’s First Executive Secretary: M. Ikramullah Khan 4 AFE—The First 25 Years 7 Rosie and the Five Presidents 10 Reflections (How Many Camels...) 10 Reflections (Significant Changes...) 11 History of the Indonesia Chapter 12 The Making of the AFE Europe Chapter Our Cover: Background: AFE–ADB’s Constitution. ADB Headquarters on Roxas Boulevard (1972–1991); 14 AFE–ADB Updates below, AFE Executive Secretary M. Ikramullah Khan (AFE 1986–2008, President Takeshi Watanabe (AFE 14 From the AFE–ADB President 1987–1993), President Masao Fujioka (AFE 1993– 14 From the Executive Secretary 2007), President Tadao Chino (AFE 2007–2009), 15 Farewell to Jo, and Welcome to Beck President Bong-Suh Lee (2009–present), and Executive 15 Health Matters Secretary Hans-Juergen Springer (2008–present). 16 Pension Matters 17 What’s New at HQ? 18 Workshops of Associations of International Retiree Organizations 20 Heart and Soul AFE–ADB News 21 That’s Why We Do This Publisher: Hans-Juergen Springer 22 Chapter News Editorial Board: Jill Gale de Villa (head), Gam de 22 Australia Armas, Ma. Theresa Baguisi-Mercado, Stephen 24 Canada West Banta, John Cole, David Parker, Hans-Juergen 25 Washington, DC Springer 26 Europe 28 India Typesetting and graphic assistance: Josephine 29 Indonesia 31 Japan Jacinto-Aquino 32 Korea 33 New York–New Jersey Research: Ma. Victoria Celzo, Randy Tepace 34 Philippines 36 Toronto Photographs: ADB Photobank, ADB Security Unit, Gam de Armas, Yves Bellekens, Peter Carroll, 37 People, Places, and Passages John Cole, Graham Dwyer, Eveline Fischer, Lewis Hayashi, Günter Hecker, Eiji Kobayashi, Rosie 37 From ADB to the World Luistro, Lynette Mallery, Elenita Mignini, Dimyati 37 Hayashi Scores Nangju, Gene Owens, Christian Perez, Günter 38 The Walk Rametsteiner, Larry Ramos, Nida Rodrigo, 39 The Pilgrim 40 The Inn at Gray’s Landing Yoong Soo Seo, Hans-Juergen Springer, 40 ADBers at IMF Staff Community Fund, Vensil’s Ventures 41 Lion at Large Photography, Jill Gale de Villa, Peter Wallum 42 Changes Everywhere 43 Moving UP Fulfillment: Vic Angeles, Robert Davis, Ronnie R. 43 The Kawit Medical Mission with Ethel Luzario Elefaño, Gregg Garcia, Keech Hidalgo, Anna 45 Christian in Mindanao Juico, Alexander Tarnoff, Tony Victoria, and the 46 Around the World ADB Publications and Printing Units 47 The Mehtas—Making a Mega Difference 47 Wedding in Manila, Honeymoon in New Zealand Distribution: Andrea Carlos, Cesar Juan, Marilou 48 New Members Magalued, Reymundo Navarro, and the ADB 49 Senior Appointments in ADB Communication Center 50 Obituaries 51 Chapter Coordinators Note: Dates after authors’ names indicate the years 51 AFE–ADB Committees of service with ADB, or the year of leaving service. 52 Announcements MarchMarch 20112011 AFE–ADB 25th Anniversary Message from ADB AFE’s First President: President Haruhiko Takeshi Watanabe Kuroda on the Eiji Kobayashi (ADB 1968–1994) Occasion of the 25th Anniversary of AFE–ADB congratulate the Association of Former Employees of the I Asian Development Bank (AFE–ADB) on their 25 years of service to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and its former staff members. Our former employees are “ambassadors-at-large” for e are saddened by the demise of Mr Takeshi ADB, helping to spread our good Watanabe, ADB’s first President (1966–1972), news and representing us to a Wbut his achievements during his 104 years will global audience, from Manila continue to shine. to countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America. After serving at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) The AFE–ADB community includes former employees and the World Bank as executive directors, Mr Watanabe now working in and connected with governments, the was elected the President of ADB at its inaugural meeting in private sector, and other multi- and bilateral development 1966. His commitment to Asian development, however, had institutions and teaching in universities in many countries. commenced several years earlier, to crystallize the concept of AFE–ADB maintains effective communications between a much desired development bank for the region. ADB and AFE members through the web, the AFE–ADB According to his book, A Diary of an ADB President News, and AFE’s chapters representing many countries. (published in Japanese in 1973), Mr Watanabe placed AFE circulates ADB Today to its members, keeping them utmost importance on recruiting capable staff members informed of ADB’s activities to help widen the reach of the for the new bank, and made it a rule to interview recruitment efforts. AFE members also contribute to the personally each candidate. As one of them, I recall a Staff Community Fund to help Manila’s needy. rather pleasant interview with the President in Tokyo. After We appreciate the assistance our former employees having settled in Manila, he invited us new recruits to his provide to us both as active staff and after leaving, and we residence in Forbes Park. look forward to maintaining and furthering the mutually Ms Fusako Otahara, who served 3 years as secretary to beneficial relationship we have with AFE–ADB. the President, states that Mr Watanabe was a really able and effective man on the international stage; such a person was difficult to find in Japan those days. Ted Mesmer briefly comments that Mr Watanabe was truly a remarkable man and an ideal leader for the newly established ADB. Kunio Takase pays tribute to Mr Watanabe’s solid the Association had grown from the initial 30 members to work to lead to the success of ADB and Asia’s economic exceed 2,200 former employees and surviving spouses. He development. He believes that the Green Revolution (rice) worked tirelessly to cement the links between former ADB in Asia, promoted by Mr Watanabe, has led to the Rainbow staff members and ADB, and to work with ADB on behalf Revolution (rice, maize, root crops, fruits, vegetables, of its former employees. livestock, and fisheries) in Africa, where multilateral One very significant achievement was to secure for AFE organizations now render assistance. a seat on ADB’s Pension Committee. Then he served as the Mr Watanabe was a man of wisdom and wit. His AFE representative on the Committee, working assiduously speeches and published works were very effective at letting for retirees’ pension rights. the world public know about the new institution, ADB. In Ikramullah Khan was successful too in a number Manila he liked to take pictures, see tropical flowers, make of other endeavors. He assured AFE’s good financial water color paintings, and collect seashells. And, our thanks health; pioneered AFE’s annual general meetings, held in may be recorded for his service as the first president of conjunction with ADB’s annual meetings; and arranged AFE–ADB during 1987–1993. for the incorporation of AFE. He launched and then published the twice-yearly AFE–ADB News and the directory of members, and he helped establish AFE chapters in a AFE’s First Executive number of countries. Secretary: AFE—The First M. Ikramullah Khan 25 Years John Cole (ADB 1983–2004) David Parker (ADB 1976–2004) he idea of establishing an association of former ADB Temployees was first discussed in 1983. By 1986, the idea was fast becoming a reality, and M. Ikramullah Khan (ADB 1969–1984), encouraged by ADB President Masao Fujioka, organized the Association of Former Employees of the Asian Development Bank (AFE–ADB). Mr Fujioka promised ADB’s full support. The Association held its first annual general meeting in Osaka, Japan, on 26 April 1987 in conjunction with ADB’s 20th Annual Meeting. The 60 participants approved the AFE Constitution, which set forth AFE’s objectives as to M. Ikramullah Khan in front of the AFE–ADB Office. (1) encourage and help members to keep in touch with former colleagues and arrange to keep them updated on Ikramullah Khan was the founder of AFE, and ADB’s activities; (2) issue a directory of members at suitable for 22 years its executive secretary. He was the intervals; (3) liaise with ADB and extend possible support M mainspring of the organization and steadfast for its well-being, leading to good public relations; and (4) in his commitment to the interests of retirees. His work undertake other appropriate activities of the Association. touched many lives. The Constitution provided that AFE’s office bearers Ikramullah Khan joined ADB as a senior treasury officer would include a president and a secretary, to be elected at in 1969, having formerly worked for the National Bank the annual general meetings, and country coordinators, “to of Pakistan. He left ADB’s service in 1984 as chief of the be nominated out of volunteers or requested to assume former Internal Audit Office. He established AFE in 1986 responsibility by nomination in respective countries …” and steered it until his retirement in 2008, by which time Takeshi Watanabe, ADB’s first president (1966–1972), March 2011 was elected as AFE’s first president. Ikramullah Khan, the special facilities block. Also who had made AFE a viable institution, was elected its in that month, AFE published secretary. (In August 1994, the title was changed to its first newsletter, with the aim “executive secretary.”) As envisaged in the Constitution, of enabling former employees the country coordinators formed an important channel to communicate with one of communication between the members and the AFE another and with the entire ADB secretary. community. AFE also recognized In 1989, ADB committed to provide AFE with office that the formation of regional space and secretarial support, help with mailing and chapters as affiliates should be meetings, produce a directory, and appoint liaison officers in encouraged.

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