23 October 2015 - As it continues to uphold its mandate of strengthening the links between overseas Filipinos to the Motherland, the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), in cooperation with the Philippine Embassy in Berne, conducted a two-day consultation forum with the Filipino community, entitled “Ugnayan sa Switzerland: Engagement, Empowerment and Enterprise.”
Ugnayan sa Switzerland, held from October 18 to 19, presented an opportunity for CFO and the Philippine Embassy to strengthen its services for migrants, establish a network among the growing number of Filipino community organizations in Switzerland and further encourage both financial literacy and “social” contributions to foster development in the Philippines.
Philippine Ambassador to Switzerland Joselito A. Jimeno, in his welcome remarks, thanked the CFO for its efforts to engage with and empower our Filipinos in Switzerland. He said the Philippine Embassy in Berne supports the continued empowerment of our overseas kababayans and regards them as partners in nation-building.
During two-day Ugnayan, a series of presentations were conducted covering topics such as: relevant government services for overseas Filipinos; sending donations, including volunteering and conducting of Medical Missions in the Philippines; call to nominate overseas Filipinos to the Presidential Awards for Overseas Organizations/Individuals; the Fight against Human Trafficking; and the Overseas Voting system to encourage greater participation of Filipinos in Switzerland in the forthcoming 2016 national elections.
Participants also joined in the workshop on financial literacy which engaged attendees on some exercises to help them balance their financial and social goals to protect and sustain themselves when they retire.
CFO designed its own Financial Literacy Modules to guide overseas Filipinos and the families they left behind to develop or enhance personal strategies, skills and knowledge in attaining financial freedom. CFO continues to train migrants to understand the value of savings and investment, and gives lectures and workshops on financial planning, savings and investment, debt management and budgeting. END