Today, we hosted our final meeting of the year – a moment to pause, reflect, and come together as a community. The meeting was made especially meaningful by a beautiful speech from our newly elected president, reminding us of the value of slowing down at this time of year:

“Around this time of year, we slow down. We step away from measuring, planning, and closing things off. We look back and briefly ahead, without needing all the answers. In our work, we often speak about outcomes and progress.

Measurement helps.

But learning and development also take place in ways that cannot always be captured. Perhaps the challenge is not only our instruments, but also our language. In German, there is a word that captures this well: Gelingen. Not success or achievement in the narrow sense, but something that comes into being when time, attention, and conditions align. That perspective also helps us reflect on CRES.

I would like to take a moment to thank Mario. Not only for the roles he fulfilled or the responsibilities he carried, but for the way he helped shape CRES as a community where dialogue, trust, and collaboration could develop. Over the years, Mario contributed to stability, openness, and a shared sense of direction, often in ways that were not immediately visible, but deeply impactful.

As he now takes a step back, he leaves behind a strong foundation on which we can continue to build. I also thank the current leadership, board members, and all CRES members for their continued engagement. And I warmly welcome the new vice presidents and new members.

Looking ahead, not to define the future today, but to hold space for it, we are reminded that not everything of value can be planned or measured.

Some things need time.

Some things need trust.

Some things are allowed to gelingen.

Thank you, and may the peace of Christmas be with you and your loved ones.”