DFA, Philippine Academic Consortium for Latin American Studies Host Workshop Entitled “Forging New Horizons: Strengthening Ties Between the Philippines and Latin America”
MANILA 26 July 2024 - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in partnership with the Philippine Academic Consortium for Latin American Studies (PACLAS) conducted a five-day workshop “Forging New Horizons: Strengthening Ties Between the Philippines and Latin America” at the University of Asia and the Pacific and the DFA from 24 to 28 June 2024.
The workshop focused on promoting awareness and greater understanding of the Philippines’ historical and dynamic relations with Latin America, among students from different universities specializing in international studies. The participants included students from University of Asia and the Pacific, Ateneo De Manila University, De La Salle University, Far Eastern University, Lyceum of the Philippines, Philippine Women’s University, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Silliman University, University of Sto. Tomas, DLSU-College of St. Benilde, and DLSU-Dasmarinas.
Officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of National Defense, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Science and Technology, Office of Civil Defense, and the Philippine Space Agency shared their respective insights on the Philippines’ key national priorities and how these relate to expanding our country’s cooperation with countries in the Latin American region.
Mr. Guillermo Ramos, Managing Director of the Ugnayan Center for Filipino Gastronomy, and Ms. Gemma Cruz-Araneta, former Secretary of Tourism and Chairperson of the Heritage Society, also served as resource speakers and provided an informative snapshot of the many commonalities the Philippines shares with Latin America. The participating students also heard from heads of missions and officials of the embassies of Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Panama, Venezuela, Chile, Dominican Republic and Peru.
At the culmination of the workshop held at the Department of Foreign Affairs, students were able to present their own perspectives and proposals on deepening and strengthening the Philippines’ connections with Latin America.
In his keynote address during the Closing Ceremony, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo said that the shared past and common heritage are excellent foundations of the relations between the Philippine and the Latin American countries. He also expressed hope that the students who participated in the workshop will become partners in building stronger ties and greater understanding with our country’s Latin American partners, whether in the foreign service or experts in their chosen field. END
