𝙁𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙨 𝙐𝙡𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙧: 𝙋𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝘿𝙞𝙖𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙖

'Filipinas Ultramar' Advocates National Consensus on Filipino Diaspora

https://fsi.gov.ph/2024/02/06/filipinas-ultramar-advocates-national-consensus-on-filipino-diaspora/

The Filipino diaspora was front and center during the "Filipinas Ultramar: Philippines Beyond Borders – Towards a National Consensus on the Philippine Diaspora" symposium on 29 January 2024 in Manila. The event was co-organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers' Affairs (DFA-UMWA) and the Foreign Service Institute (FSI). The symposium brought together representatives from various stakeholders involved in diaspora engagement. Participants included members of Congress, representatives from the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), emigrant groups, academe, and DFA officials, including representatives from 35 Foreign Service Posts (FSPs).

The full-day symposium featured four panels that explored different aspects of the Filipino diaspora. The first panel, titled "Envisioning the Global Filipino Identity and Role in the 21st Century," discussed the unique identity of overseas Filipinos, highlighting values like malasakit (compassion), pakikisama (camaraderie), and bayanihan (communal unity). The second panel focused on "Upscaling and Leveraging the Contributions of the Filipino Diaspora in Public and Cultural Diplomacy," highlighted CFO initiatives addressing migrant needs, and stressed the role of overseas Filipino communities and leadership in FSPs in supporting government initiatives. The third panel, "The Role of the Filipino Diaspora in National Legislation," emphasized global competitiveness, adaptability, alignment with international standards, and leveraging social media for increased engagement. The concluding panel, "Migrant Integration and Social Cohesion of Filipinos in Countries," explored strategic initiatives for migration integration, drawing from the Mexican experience. Throughout the discussions, there was a strong emphasis on empowering overseas Filipinos and synergizing government initiatives.

Aside from the panels, representatives from Philippine diplomatic and consular missions shared their diaspora engagement experiences, contributing to a conversation on the actual situation of overseas Filipinos.

In her closing remarks, FSI Executive Director Dr. Stephanie Beatriz Valera noted that: "As we accompany Filipinos abroad in this constant construction of identity, we are invited to listen...By listening, we will know how we can serve and accompany them better." The symposium is regarded as the first in the "Filipinas Ultramar" series, with DFA-UMWA leading and facilitating the discussions.