Participants of the 2nd U.S. Midwest Youth Leaders in Diaspora Immersion Program Visits the DFA
Midwest Youth Leaders in Diaspora (YouLEAD) participants during the courtesy call on Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Strategic Communications and Research Ernesto C. Abella (center background, sixth from left) at the Department of Foreign Affairs Office of American Affairs (OAA) conference room. Undersecretary Abella was joined by OAA Assistant Secretary Maria Lumen B. Isleta (background, fifth from left), Consul General to Chicago Gina A. Jamoralin (background, seventh from left), and officers from OAA and Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs. (DFA photo by Vanessa P. Ubac)
MANILA 10 January 2020 — A total of 12 young Filipino-Americans from across the Midwestern States in the U.S., ages 18-23 years old, participating in the Midwest Youth Leaders in Diaspora (YouLEAD) Immersion Program, visited the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on 08 January 2020. The participants are students pursuing various courses such as law, engineering, psychology, marketing, international business and general education.
The Midwest YouLEAD Immersion Program is a pilot project of the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago in partnership with the Commission on Filipino Overseas (CFO). The Program intends to promote deeper understanding and appreciation of Philippine culture and heritage among the second and third generation of Filipino-Americans in the U.S. Midwest. It envisions the participants, as potential youth leaders in their respective communities, to be more involved in promoting the interest of the Philippines in the U.S. after their immersion trip. This is the second iteration of the Program.
During their visit to the Department, the YouLEAD participants were briefed by the DFA Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Principal Assistant Sandra Guiang on the DFA’s work, especially with regard to its engagement with the Filipino Diaspora and assistance to distressed Filipinos abroad. Following the briefing, the participants paid a courtesy call on Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Strategic Communications and Research Ernesto C. Abella at the Office of American Affairs conference room. Undersecretary Abella underscored the roots of the Filipino people and how the values of their communities define their identity.
“Let us begin anew with our shared task of nation-building. Let it be a challenge to you that there is the possibility of the Filipino dream that is a comfortable life for all,” Undersecretary Abella said.
The seven-day immersion program held on 03-09 January 2020, consists of lectures on Philippine history and language, workshops, and guided tours in Manila, Nueva Ecija and Bulacan. END
Office of the Undersecretary for Strategic Communications and Research Undersecretary Ernesto C. Abella imparting on Midwest Youth Leaders in Diaspora (YouLEAD) participants the importance of embracing their Filipino heritage. (DFA photo by Vanessa P. Ubac)
Office of the Undersecretary for Strategic Communications and Research Undersecretary Ernesto C. Abella (left), Office of American Affairs (OAA) Assistant Secretary Maria Lumen B. Isleta (center), and Consul General to Chicago Gina A. Jamoralin (right) listen to Midwest Youth Leaders in Diaspora (YouLEAD) participants’ insights on Filipino heritage at the OAA conference room. (DFA photo by Vanessa P. Ubac)
Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Principal Assistant Sandra Condes Guiang briefs the YouLEAD participants on the DFA’s Assistance-to-Nationals program. (DFA photo by Vanessa P. Ubac)