PH Embassy in NZ Engages KiwiPino Youth in Future Leaders’ Forum 2018
His Worship Lower Hutt Mayor Ray Wallace addresses the KiwiPino Future Leaders’ Forum. (Wellington PE photo)
WELLINGTON 09 July 2018 – The Philippine Embassy in Wellington, New Zealand hosted the Second Annual KiwiPino Future Leaders’ Forum at the Walter Nash Stadium, Lower Hutt, Wellington Region on 02 June 2018, to kick-start its celebration of the 120th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine independence.
It also formed part of the Wellington Filipino Community’s “Philippine Festival” held at the Walter Nash Stadium.
The forum brought together Filipino-Kiwi youth and representatives from New Zealand’s political leadership at the national and local levels. Ralph Zambrano, the first Philippine Embassy’s first Youth Ambassador (#YAMBA) and a year-13 student at St. Partick’s College in Kilburnie, Wellington, served as moderator.
Zambrano also discussed the Embassy’s #YAMBA programme, which aims to maximize the leadership potential of young Kiwipinos.
Ambassador to New Zealand Jesus R.S. Domingo and the staff of the Embassy assisted as facilitators.
The forum was organized into two sessions, one on opportunities at the local and city level, and the second on engagement with Parliament and political parties.
Lower Hutt Mayor Ray Wallace, and Lower Hutt Youth Council Member Sophia Meilee Nem spoke during the first session.
The second session featured Labour Party List Member of Parliament (MP) in Lower Hutt Ginny Andersen, National Party List MP in Wellington City Nicola Willis, New Zealand First Party Member Louie Encabo, and Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand Member Francisco Hernandez.
The speakers discussed their respective activities and visions for youth engagement, and encouraged young Kiwipinos to participate in their local communities’ civic life, to hone their leadership skills, and to engage with their respective cities and with political parties.
Encabo and Hernandez are both Philippine-born Kiwis, migrating to the country in their youth. They were active in the political life of their respective universities and continued with their chosen parties: Encabo at University of Auckland and New Zealand First, and Hernandez at University of Otago and the Greens.
MPs Andersen and Willis are both “freshman” solons in the New Zealand Parliament. MP Andersen and Mr. Hernandez also represented the Labour and Greens Parties, respectively, in last year’s Forum.
Mayor Wallace is a long-standing friend of the Filipino Community in Lower Hutt and the Wellington Region, and has consistently supported the Philippine Festival and other community initiatives.
Ms. Nem, of Cambodian heritage, is a year-12 student at Sacred Heart College, Lower Hutt, and is the Deputy Communications and Administrations Officer of her Youth Council.
The Forum is among the key leadership activities of #YAMBA. In order to earn the #YAMBA designation, candidates are required to complete tasks and undergo training in five areas: leadership, diplomacy, humanitarianism, culture, and entrepreneurship. END
Lower Hutt Youth Council Member Sophia Meilee Newm speaks before the KiwiPino Future Leaders’ Forum. (Wellington PE photo)
First Philippine Youth Ambassador Ralph Zambrano explains the #YAMBA programme at the KiwiPino Future Leaders’ Forum. (Wellington PE photo)
For more information, visit www.wellingtonpe.dfa.gov.ph / www.philembassy.org.nz or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinNZ/.