PH Ambassador Highlights Contributions of Filipino Diaspora in Australia in Asialink Leaders Summit 2023

 Philippine Ambassador to Australia Ma. Hellen De La Vega (center) discusses the strong people-to-people connections between Philippines and Australia with Indonesian Ambassador to Australia Dr. Siswo Pramono (right) and Asialink Group CEO Martine Letts (left) at Asialink Leaders Canberra Summit on 19 July 2023. (Canberra PE photo)

CANBERRA 31 July 2023 – Philippine Ambassador to Australia Ma. Hellen De La Vega discussed the role of Filipino diaspora in Australia's multicultural community-building in the Ambassadors’ panel organized by Asialink Business on 19 July 2023 under its Asialink Leaders Summit.

The panel was also joined by Indonesian Ambassador to Australia Dr. Siswo Pramono and Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Nguyen Tat Thanh and moderated by Asialink Group CEO Martine Letts. Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Deputy Secretary Michelle Chan also addressed the Asialink Leaders composed of more than 50 participants across Australia and Asia.

Ambassador De La Vega stated the Filipino migrant community is the fifth largest diaspora in Australia and third largest of the Asian-Australia diaspora and underscored the strong people-to-people connections. She underscored that the Filipino diaspora supports addressing Australia’s skills needs especially in the healthcare, agriculture, education, and IT sectors.

On advancing the Philippines-Australia relations, Ambassador De La Vega urged the increase of Australian investments into the country and in Southeast Asia and enhancing cooperation on priorities such as science and technology, education, agriculture and food security, addressing climate change, cybersecurity, maritime security and maritime domain awareness. The Ambassador also mentioned the latest tourism marketing campaign “Love the Philippines” and encouraged participants to visit the Philippines.

The Asialink Leaders Program organized by Asialink is Australia’s leading professional development program in Asia, with over 28 years of history and over 1000 alumni globally. The program offers participants the opportunity to build knowledge of key Asian markets and cultures, develop a practical Asia-focused skill set, and build a global mindset with Asia at its core. END 

Philippine Ambassador to Australia Ma. Hellen De La Vega (3rd from right), Indonesian Ambassador to Australia Siswo Pramono (4th from right) and Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Nguyen Tat Thanh (rightmost) listen to the Vote of Thanks from the Asialink Leaders. (Canberra PE photo)

From left to right: Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Nguyen Tat Thanh, Asialink Group CEO Martine Letts, Indonesian Ambassador to Australia Siswo Pramono, Philippine Ambassador to Australia Ma. Hellen De La Vega, DFAT Deputy Secretary Michelle Chan, Asialink CEO Leigh Howard and Asia Education Foundation Executive Director Dr. Sarah Richardson. (Canberra PE photo)

For more information, visit https://www.philembassy.org.au, or https://www.facebook.com/PHinAustralia/.