31 May 2016 - The first run of the Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship (LSE) Program in Spain concluded on May 22 in a meaningful graduation ceremony held at the Avenida Palace Hotel in Barcelona. Thirty-six (36) students from the Filipino community in Barcelona finished the six-month LSE Program which started in September 2015. 

The keynote speaker in the graduation ceremony was Dr. Mary Jean Caleda, the Associate Dean of the Ateneo School of Government (ASoG). In her speech, Dr. Caleda challenged the graduates to keep their dreams alive, by implementing their business plans and making them a reality. She reminded the graduates of their responsibility to advance ethical and good governance practices and encouraged them to become true servant leaders for their families, communities and country.  She then led the induction of the graduates to the global LSE Alumni network.

The graduation program also saw Honorary Consul General Jordi Puig Roches sharing the congratulatory message of Philippine Ambassador to Spain Carlos C. Salinas.  Welfare Officer and Acting Labor Attaché Ma. Elvira A. Ador reminded the graduates to impart their learnings with their families to ensure that their desired development goals will be attained.

The LSE Program has three main themes - leadership, financial literacy, and social entrepreneurship. Launched as an executive education program in Italy in 2008, the program aims to empower Filipino migrants and their families to become highly-respected members of society, who contribute actively to nation building. It teaches and assists students in preparing business plans for their proposed social enterprise.  Towards the end of the program, students present and defend their business plans before a panel of experts.

The program in Barcelona was conducted through the collaboration of the Ateneo de Manila School of Government, the Associazione Pilipinas Overseas Filipinos´ Society for the Promotion of Economic Security, the Philippine Embassy in Madrid, the Philippine Honorary Consulate in Barcelona, the Philippine Overseas Labor Office and the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration.  Ms. Elizabeth Soliday-Naui, Ph.D. serves as the volunteer coordinator for the LSE Program in Barcelona. END