DFA Office of African Affairs Hosts “Finding ‘Wakanda’ in PH Foreign Policy”

Discussants and forum participants pose for a group photo. Inset photo: Dr. Satwinder Rehal, Professor of International Relations and Diplomacy at the Philippine Women’s University, delivering his presentation. (DFA photo)

MANILA 04 January 2019 – To explore potentials for cooperation and mutual benefit between the Philippines and Africa, increased people-to-people exchanges from both sides, the Department of Foreign Affairs’ (DFA) Office of Middle East and African Affairs (OMEAA) and the Office of Policy Planning and Coordination (OPPC) organized a forum entitled “Where art thou, Wakanda?: Finding Africa in Philippine Foreign Policy” on 13 December 2018.

The event was organized as part of the DFA’s mandate to pursue an independent foreign policy by fostering deeper engagement with traditional and non-traditional partners alike, including countries in the African region.

Philippine Women’s University-Helena Z. Benitez School of International Relations and Diplomacy Associate Professor and the forum’s resource speaker Dr. Satwinder Rehal delivered a presentation showing historical ties between the Philippines and Africa, and suggested concrete ways on how these two growth areas could use their shared history and their common aspirations and values to leverage existing ties.

Also joining in the forum as discussants were South African Ambassador to the Philippines and Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps Martin Slabber, and some members of the private sector, including Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) Business Consultant Joel Aragon, GMA Worldwide, Inc. Assistant Vice President for Syndication Sales Ana Sevilla, Ethiopian Airlines Country Manager for the Philippines Solomon Bekele, ABS-CBN Corporation Sales Head and Expert in Content Distribution to Africa Laarni Yu, and University of the Philippines Lady Fighting Maroons Volleyball Team Head Coach Godfrey Okumo.

The discussants shared their insights on the opportunities in doing business with Africa as well as the challenges they have encountered in establishing their businesses in the continent. The discussants were in unison in emphasizing the benefits of tapping the potentials for greater cooperation through increased commercial, cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

Finally, the forum underlined that breaking stereotypes and creating awareness about these opportunities would close the gap and bridge the two regions, despite geographic distance.

The title of the forum was adapted from the title of Dr. Rehal’s unpublished paper, “Where art thou, ‘Wakanda?’ The ‘Silence’ in Philippine Education and Foreign Policy on Africa.” END