Senators Support PH Mission Vision of a ‘Science Diplomacy Center’ in Vienna

Ambassador Natividad explains the objective of Senators Aquilino Pimentel and Sherwin Gatchalian's scientific visit and discusses the importance of nuclear science and technology, and how this aligns with the Embassy's thrust to establish itself as the science diplomacy center of the Philippine foreign service. (Vienna PE/PM Photo)

VIENNA 25 May 2018 – Philippine Ambassador Maria Cleofe R. Natividad highlighted the vision of transforming the Philippine Embassy and Mission as the ‘science diplomacy center’ of the Philippine foreign service during a townhall meeting with the Filipino community graced by Senators Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and Sherwin Gatchalian in Vienna, Austria.

In her remarks, she invited the FilCom to be the Embassy’s partners in pushing for initiatives that would maximize the benefits of science and technology to achieve the country’s collective national vision of a comfortable life for all.

“Let us work hand-in-hand to realize our vision of improving the quality of life of Filipinos by building our capacities in science and technology. Here in Vienna, with international scientific organizations like the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Commission on Outer Space next door, we are strategically located to make a difference to tap international scientific expertise for the benefit our kababayans,” she said.

The community meeting was the culmination of a multi-country scientific visit spearheaded by Ambassador Natividad and organized by the Philippine Embassy and Mission covering countries under its jurisdiction – Austria, Slovenia, and Croatia. It was aimed at raising the awareness of the legislators and executive officials about the potential of nuclear science and technology in enhancing the well-being of people through its various applications in  food, agriculture, health, energy, and industry.

The visit included meetings in Austria with high-ranking IAEA officials to discuss enhancing technical cooperation and a visit to the Seibersdorf nuclear applications laboratories where the officials were exposed to IAEA work  in cancer control and in combatting diseases such as Zika or dengue virus through nuclear techniques.

The scientific visit was led by Senator Pimentel who was joined by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, Department of Energy Undersecretary Donato Marcos, and Philippine Nuclear Research Institute Director Carlo Arcilla.

In response, Senator Pimentel expressed support for the vision shared by Ambassador Natividad and exhorted Filipinos to participate in democratic governance, including the electoral process. He emphasized the government’s continuing commitment to improve the welfare of Filipinos overseas. Senator Gatchalian, meanwhile, also posed a challenge to the Filipino community members to be partners in nation-building and to be “cultural ambassadors”. He reminded everyone of the contribution that they can make towards the country’s economic development.

The community gathering ended with robust and candid exchanges among the officials and members of the community over a hearty Filipino feast of adobo, pancit, lumpia, with warm reassurances from the overseas Filipinos that Philippine culture and heritage lives on and remains resilient even in a cultural capital like Vienna, Austria. END

Senator Pimentel gives his support and assures the community that the administration is committed to make the lives of OFWs better. (Vienna PE/PM Photo)

Senator Gatchalian challenges the community to be partners in nation-building and to be “cultural ambassadors”  of the Philippines. (Vienna PE/PM Photo)

For more information, visit www.viennape.dfa.gov.ph / www.philippine-embassy.at or @pevienna on Twitter.