Dear EBEN Members and Friends

 

As I mentioned in the Athens General Assembly, I became EBEN President by default. For several reasons, Luc Van Liedekerke thought it was no longer convenient for him to carry out the tasks associated with the Presidency.

 

In my inaugural words, I outlined three priorities that I would like to pursue during this term of service. First, I would like to continue fostering business ethics scholarship, bearing in mind that the great majority of our constituents come from the academe and expect EBEN to help them advance in their professional endeavors. Second, I would also like to give a big push to expanding our Network, especially in East European countries. These nations have suffered a lot for many years under totalitarian regimes and, unfortunately, still continue to do so, under a capitalist system that is often corrupt and without a heart. And thirdly, I wish to encourage dialogue with our different stakeholder groups, including corporate members, NGOs and other institutions, always in search of synergies to achieve common goals faster and more efficiently. Apart from overseeing the different National Networks, the Executive Committee Members have also agreed to take on duties in relation to furthering these objectives.

 

With the change of Presidents comes a change of location for the Secretariat and a change of Administrative Managers as well. Half in earnest, half in jest, I proposed cloning Ann Van Espen, and requesting the other Ann to come with me to Pamplona. Since that is not possible as of the moment, the next best solution lies in inviting Mario Silar, a PhD in Philosophy Candidate to come on board. He shall be holding office as Administrative Manager under the umbrella of the Institute for Enterprise and Humanism at the University of Navarre campus in Pamplona.

 

I could never thank Ann enough for her able and reassuring assistance during all these years, but that is not going to stop me from at least trying. She shall continue to work with us, however, as webmaster of the EBEN webpage at least in the medium term.

 

I know that the goals I have set are ambitious and my personal capabilities, quite scarce. That is why I earnestly solicit your cooperation in attaining them. For together, to borrow a presidential phrase, "Yes, we can!"

 

With every good wish,

Alejo José G. Sison