DFA, UP CIFAL Partner on Global Migration to Better Serve Overseas Filipinos

A total of 20 learners from various government agencies and units participated at the Professional Course on Global Migration (PCGM) from 09 to 12 December 2019 held at the Department of Foreign Affairs.

MANILA 21 December 2019 - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) jointly held with the University of the Philippines Centre International de Formation des Autorités et Leaders (UP CIFAL) and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) the Professional Course on Global Migration (PCGM) from 09 to 19 December 2019.

The initiative is part of the Department's capacity building efforts aimed at better serving the Overseas Filipinos, the Overseas Workers in particular.

A total of 20 learners, mostly composed of officers from the DFA and other government agencies and units such as the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Health (DOH), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), the House of Representatives, and the Foreign Service Institute, participated in the event.

As the most comprehensive and up-to-date migration course offered in the Philippines, the program focused on sustainable development goals and human rights.

Through the PCGM, the participants had a deeper understanding of migration and its underlying concepts through a series of modules, lectures and seminars.

The participants were also given a week to formulate, present, and defend their capstone projects on given migration issues and challenges.

Following the successful defense of the participants' projects, a graduation ceremony was held last 19 December 2019 wherein Executive Vice President Teodoro A. Herbosa of the University of the Philippines was keynote speaker.

UP CIFAL serves as a hub for the Asia-Pacific region focusing on UP's disciplinary strengths in areas such as public policy, migration and development. Jointly with UP's Center for Integrative and Development Studies (CIDS), it aims to enhance data on Philippine migration and contribute to develop sound public policies aside from serving as a hub for capacity building on implementing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals at the local level. END

Representatives from the DFA include officers from the Office of the Secretary, the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers' Affairs, Office of Strategic Communications and Research, Office of Human Resource Management, and the Office of the United Nations and International Organizations.