Closing Remarks of Paul Hoffarth during KHC Launch

The following closing remarks were delivered by Paul Hoffarth of the KHC Advisory Council during the launch of the Klaus Hoffarth Center for Critical Thinking at the Klaus Hoffarth Library in Miriam College, Quezon City.

Good Evening everyone,

On behalf of the members of the KHC Advisory Council and our colleagues from Miriam College, I would like to thank all of you for being here today.

This launch would not have been possible without the tireless work of so many people, and I want to especially acknowledge:

Our Executive Director - Ms Mian Arcega

Miriam President OIC .- Ms Grace Favela 

Dr. Trixie Sison

Dr. Maricon Lupisan

Sir Teng Alvarez

Ms. Nancy Concepcion

Architect Matt Varona  and all their respective teams

Your time, energy and commitment are the foundation on which this Center now stands.

Malcolm Forbes once said “Education’s purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one”

Today’s world is overflowing with information—but not all of it is true, not all of it is fair, and not all of it is wise. In times like these, the ability to think critically is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity.

The Klaus Hoffarth Center for Critical Thinking was born from a simple but powerful belief: that informed, independent-minded citizens are the cornerstone of good political governance and a vibrant democracy. This is not just about education—it’s about empowerment. It’s about equipping people to question assumptions, evaluate evidence, and make decisions that shape a better society.

In just a short time period together today we have done more than cutting the ribbon.

We’ve introduced programs like ThinkED, which will train teachers to bring critical thinking into every classroom. 

We’ve shared ParaBukas, a platform where students can learn to tackle real-world challenges in their communities. 

And we’ve shown our upcoming library which will become a living space for dialogue, history, and new ideas. 

These are not just initiatives—they are the seeds… and we see among you today that we have planted them in fertile ground.

Now, I want to invite you—no matter your role—to be part of this work.

• If you are a teacher, weave critical thinking into your lessons and inspire curiosity.

• If you are a student, don’t settle for easy answers—ask better questions, dig deeper, challenge respectfully.

• If you are a policymaker or leader, let evidence guide your decisions and accountability guide your actions.

• And if you are a supporter or donor, help us ensure that this Center grows, thrives, and reaches far beyond these walls.

The truth is, critical thinking is not built by institutions alone—it is built through one conversation, one lesson, one decision at a time.

Let us imagine, together, a generation of Filipinos who can separate fact from fiction… who can stand up to corruption and injustice armed not with anger alone, but with reason, clarity, and courage.

That is the future and movement we are building from this moment forward. And with your help, it will be a future where democracy is not just defended, but strengthened—where truth is not just spoken, but lived.  The future where, through better political governance, our children need not go elsewhere in order to lead better lives.

On behalf of everyone at the Klaus Hoffarth Center for Critical Thinking—thank you for joining us at the beginning of this journey. 

Following the Chinese proverb: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”