Sri Lanka can benefit from Germany’s Senior Experten Service

Senior Experten Service (SES) – the Foundation of German Industry for International Cooperation – is the largest German volunteer placement organisation for retired skilled and management professionals. It is a non-profit organisation providing help for self-help since 1983, mainly in developing, newly industrialised and transition countries, but also within Germany. 

SES is supported by the main associations representing German business: the Federation of German Industry (BDI), the Confederation of German Employers’ Associations (BDA), the Association of Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) and the German Confederation of Skilled Crafts (ZDH). The activities of SES abroad are funded partly by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Projects in Germany are supported by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). 

SES Experts can draw on many years of professional experience. They pass on their knowledge on a voluntary basis and train fellow workers in their subject fields all over the world. They come equipped with knowhow from around 50 branches of industry, along with good social skills, readiness to adapt to the conditions prevailing in the assignment country, and, in many cases, good foreign language skills. No costs are incurred to them through working for SES. Insurance is also taken care of. 

The services of SES are mainly aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises, public authorities, professional bodies and business associations, social and medical institutions as well as training institutions. Close collaboration with other development organisations is well established. In Germany, SES also champions schools, schoolchildren and trainees. 

SES works according to demand and need. It responds to enquiries from clients, checks their requests and concludes separate agreements with the client and the Expert. The work of Experts assigned is of a recommendatory nature. Sole responsibility for the implementation of recommendations lies with the clients. Protecting the intellectual property rights of third parties is one of the most important principles of all SES assignments. 

Clients fund the lion’s share of the costs associated with SES assignments – particularly those incurred at the assignment location. If foreign clients are unable to meet the costs of international travel and administrative expenses, BMZ can provide funds. SES activities in assisting young people in their education and training in Germany is financed by BMBF.

Senior Experten Service (SES)  Foundation of German Industry for International Cooperation · Non-profit Organisation Buschstr. 2 · 53113 Bonn · Germany · Tel.: +49 (0)228 260 90-0 · Fax: +49 (0)228 260 90-77 · [email protected] · www.ses-bonn.de