FIG Handover Ceremony takes place in Münster
President Holger Magel hands the chain of office over to Stig Enemark
Münster, Germany 2 December 2006
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The old and new FIG Councils after the handover ceremony in Münster.
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The handover ceremony took place in Münster during the Christmas Market
and was hosted by the DVW. |
The FIG handover ceremony took place in the historical city hall of
Münster. The German Council left leadership of the FIG and handed it over to
an international team of individuals elected by the FIG General Assembly –
after a 128 year tradition of country based Council administration – a
milestone for FIG.
The mayor of Münster, Ms. Beate Vilhjamsson, welcomed more than 40
invited representatives from FIG, German Association for Geodesy,
Geo-Information and Land Management (DVW), the host of FIG Council for the
last four years, and German agencies in the “Friedensaal” (Hall of
Piece) – a famous place because of the treaty of 1648 that ended the
30-years lasting war, giving peace and bringing decisive territorial changes
in Europe. Mr. Hagen Graeff, DVW President reminded in his welcome
address that the German Council has brought new spirit into FIG over the
last four years and that the German FIG Presidency has especially made a
special contribution on political activities. Mr. Graeff handed over a
cheque representing a value of € 20,000 for the FIG Foundation as result
from the FIG Congress in Munich.
Leaving FIG President Prof. Holger Magel mentioned in his speech “Changing
FIG – Model for a Changing World” that inauguration in the
surrounding of the Hall of Peace in Münster is a special symbolic sign for
the new leadership: the FIG community of idealists and volunteers has
dedicated itself to worldwide peace through numerous contributions in the
field of land, water and coastal management, settlement, the equal
development of urban and rural areas, the guarantee of property and tenure,
building of functioning market economies, of environmental protection
through data acquisition and data processing as well as monitoring of
measurements on land, from the air and space, etc. As surveyors, with our "boots
on the pavement" on site with our clients or in ministries, public
authorities, offices, undertakings and universities we know that ultimately,
and indeed, it is a matter of not only doing our duty but always doing more.
This ethos makes FIG so valuable for the world and world organizations as
the UN authorities, the World Bank and for member associations. The German
Council set itself ambitious aims, as to exercise intellectual leadership
concerning the role and identity of surveyors, to continue the FIG
reorganisation, to generate more income, to increase substantially
membership of FIG, to promote a professional of outcome and results of FIG
meetings, to increase co-operation with the United nations including the
World Bank (to increase commitment for the poor in the world), to increase
co-operation with sister organisations, to give greater presence on spot in
the regions, to strengthen the bridging within the FIG between practitioners
and academics and to acquaint young persons. FIG is present at all
continents; it combines almost all religions, cultures, different forms of
ownership and tenure, state organisations, etc. If the FIG did not already
exist, it would be urgently necessary to found it! In the name of all
members of the FIG Council Prof. Magel stated that the FIG years were
strenuous but at the same time wonderful. He expressed words of thanks to
DVW, FIG members and his team in the Council: Dr. Andreas Drees, Dr.
Ralf Schroth, T.N. Wong, Ken Allred, Stig Enemark
and Thomas Gollwitzer as well as to Matt Higgins (2005-2006)
and Gerhard Muggenhuber (2003-2004) as the ACCO representative in the
Council. He wished the new Council success in its responsibility in favour
of FIG, the mother of all surveying engineers and surveying.
In a real "laudatio"
the FIG Honorary President Prof. Peter Dale gave a reflection on the
German presidency. He observed that Holger and his team steered FIG trough a
difficult period of transition. There was a significant growth in membership
and activities of FIG. The main blanks on the map remain in Africa and
Central Asia. In what way is FIG value for money? Prof. Dale would talk
about globalisation, networking, learning from others struggling with the
same problems, friendship and about how the more that you put in it the more
you will get out. About a vision for the future in a world that is changing
quickly. All these things remain true and have been delivered by the German
Council as well as a series of successful meetings across the globe. The FIG
declarations and publications have raised the profile of FIG to a higher
level. The relation with UN has never been better. There is no other
organisation that addresses land issues in a manner and with the breadth
that FIG achieves – areas covered with water can be included here. Prof.
Dale had the change to read Prof. Magel’s speech in advance and he could
honestly say that all aims have been achieved. FIG has not only a great
history but also has understanding of the present and a vision for the
future.
Then the handover of the chain of office from Holger Magel to
Stig
Enemark took place with the assistance by Hagen Graeff. The new members
of the Council were introduced: Dr. Dalal S. Alnaggar, who also
received her FIG badge of office, Prof. Paul van der Molen and Dr. Chryssy Potsiou as the ACCO representative. The two remaining members of
the new Council Ken Allred and Matt Higgins were not able to attend
the ceremony because of problems with their travels.
In his speech the new
FIG President Prof. Stig Enemark expressed that it is a great honour to wear
the traditional chain of office. He was happy with the presence of two FIG
Honorary Presidents: Peter Dale from UK and Robert W. Foster from USA
at the ceremony. The foundation to start is solid and the view is good. He
thanked Holger Magel for his eminent leadership. The role of the FIG Council
will now change to a global scope. He is happy to continue the work started
by previous Councils and even broaden it, especially in relation to the
World Bank. An agenda for the next years is under discussion based on the
framework introduced by President Enemark in his speech in Munich.
The meeting was closed with a reception with an address by Prof.
Joachim Thomas, Head of the Higher Land Consolidation Authority Münster.
Combined to the handover ceremony the new Council had its first informal
meeting and both Councils gathered for a joint meeting that was also the
last for the current Council. Formally the term of office for the new
Council starts 1 January 2007.
Christiaan Lemmen
Presentations:
Handover ceremony took place in Münster home city of Vice Presidents
Andreas Drees and Ralf Schroth during the Christmas market. |
Historical Domplatz in Münster.
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The actual ceremony was organised at the City Hall of Münster. |
Entrance to the Friedensaal at the City Hall.
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The programme of the two days included meetings of the joint FIG
Councils, informal meeting of the new Council and the Council of DVW: |
President
Holger Magel chairing the last Council meeting together
with President Elect Stig Enemark. |
Hagen Graeff, President of DVW welcomes the invited guests to the
handover dinner at Villa Medici in Münster. |
DVW Council members at the handover dinner with international guests.
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Historical event collected four FIG Presidents in the same picture:
Holger Magel, Peter Dale, Robert W. Foster and Stig
Enemark. |
Members of the new FIG Council at the dinner:
Dalal S. Alnaggar,
Chryssy Potsiou and Paul van der Molen. |
President Magel together with Dalal Alnaggar and Chryssy Potisou.
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In the new FIG Council there are for the first time two ladies, Dalal
Alnaggar from Egypt and Chryssy Potsiou from Greece as the ACCO
representative. |
Official picture before the handover ceremony with
Beate Vilhjamsson,
Mayor of Münster.
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Invited guests at the Friedensaal (Hall of Peace) where the negotiations
on the peace after the 30-year long war took place in 1640s. |
Friedensaal. |
Mayor Vilhjamsson and Hagen Graeff. |
President Hagen Graeff making his welcome address at the Friedensaal. |
Hagen Graeff gives Holger Magel 20,000 € for the FIG Foundation as the
result of FIG Congress 2006. |
New Council members listening the story of creating new borders for
Europe in the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648. |
Stig Enemark, Vice President
Ralf Schroth and Peter Creuzer,
Chair of UN ECE WPLA.
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Guests listening to the speeches during the handover ceremony.
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Dr.
Otmar Schuster together with Vice Presidents Ralf Schroth and
TN Wong and their spouses Sue and Iwona. |
President Magel making his farewell address.
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President Magel awarding his team members: Andreas Drees, who was also
Deputy to the President. |
... and TN Wong from Hong Kong SAR...
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... as well as Stig Enemark who was also a member of the old Council... |
... as was Congress Director
Thomas Gollwitzer, here with Karl-Friedrich Thöne, Vice President of DVW and FIG Honorary
President Peter Dale. |
All Council members were awarded with the FIG globe and certificate of
appreciation.
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The spouses of the Council members got flowers as appreciation, because
without support from the family the big commitment to FIG would not be
possible. |
Prof. Peter Dale making his laudatio speech to President Magel and the
German Council.
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Hagen Graeff thanked Peter Dale with a bottle of German wine. |
Andreas Drees, Holger Magel and Hagen Graeff.
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President Magel receiving appreciation from the audience after his
speech and concluding his period as the FIG President. |
Andreas Drees thanked President Magel on behalf of the Council members.
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The actual handover ceremony started with the FIG fanfare and handing
the President's chain of office from President Magel to the new
President, Prof. Stig Enemark. The two presidents were assisted by
President Hagen Graeff, DVW. |
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Andreas Drees introduces the new FIG President.
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Stig Enemark making his first speech as FIG President thanking the
previous Councils and especially the German Council under the leadership
of President Magel. |
President Magel congratulates the new President.
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President Magel, expert on development of rural areas receives a book on
urban planning and city development. |
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After the new President received his chain of office, it was time to
introduce the new Council members. Dalal S. Alnaggar gets her badge of
office from Stig Enemark. |
Dalal S. Alnaggar and Stig Enemark.
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The other new Council members are Chryssy Potsiou and Paul van der
Molen. In addition Ken Allred and Matt Higgins are new
Vice Presidents but were unable to attend the ceremony. |
Picture of the two Councils after the handover ceremony. |
Members of the German Council.
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Members of the FIG Council 2007-2010.
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President Magel and
Klaus Rürup, past chair of Commission 1 at
the reception after the ceremony. President Magel receives guidance for
his live after the presidency. |
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