The economist was the head of a first KAAD office from 1956 to 1959, which was already able to award some scholarships from 1956, even before the official founding of the association in May 1958. The focus at that time was on Asia. The most prominent scholarship holder of this early period, the great Korean composer Isang Yun , dedicated a quartet to Kiefer in 1958. Together with the Executive Board, he steered the beginnings of KAAD, which he liked to call his "tender little plant" and of whose growth he convinced himself until his old age - for example through visits to our Annual Conventions. Kiefer , an enthusiastic hiker, who had staying power and a good sense of direction in the changeful work for the Global South, was a much sought-after advisor even beyond his professionally active time because of his broad expertise in development policy. We will miss him very much.
In memory of Walter Kiefer
We mourn the death of the founding director of KAAD, Walter Kiefer, who passed away on 27 April 2023 at the age of 94.
