With aspiring diplomats across the Philippines, IS students Irish Shayne Francisco and Leslie Anne Villanueva were selected to participate in the Diplomatic League Global Summit 2022, held at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Main Headquarters in Pasay City last December 12, 2022.
The Diplomatic League Global Summit (DLGS) is known to be the leading gathering of students, young professionals, and aspiring diplomats in the Philippines. For nearly two years, the annual conference finally commenced, joined by aspiring youth leaders and notable speakers from different institutions. The DLGS 2022 focused on youth partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs Office of the Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Affairs (DFA-OUCSCA). The three key agendas of the event highlight (1) Planetary Diplomacy, (2) Human Security Diplomacy, and (3) Overseas Filipino Empowerment.
The first speaker, Hon. Jesus S. Domingo, Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Affairs from the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs discussed the Volunteer Ambassador Externship (VAMBA), its overviews, objectives, and the structure of reporting assignments. As well as the introduction to the VAMBA Externship for Batch 2023. The second speaker, Mr. Arnel G. Talisayon, Deputy Assistant Secretary talked about civilian security delving into traditional security issues like sovereign, and territorial integrity. As well as, non-traditional security issues like poverty, PHEIC, climate change, disasters, mass migration events, energy security, and food security. The third speaker, Atty. Zoilo A. Velasco talked about Overseas Voting and Filipino welfare abroad.
Leslie Anne Villanueva, an IS graduating student and the former President of CEDAW Youth – Miriam College Chapter, delivered a speech about the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) against Violence Against Women(VAW). Villanueva highlights the feminist organization in Miriam College and its aim to develop young women’s leadership and increase their awareness and sense of responsibility in the campaign for women’s rights. One of the campaigns of the organization is the CEDAW against VAW which is a feminist podcast that provides a platform for the storing of women from different sectors and stages of life. Villanueva also encouraged fellow delegates to have the CEDAW organization within their institution to further advance women’s leadership and women’s rights.
Irish Francisco, a 2nd year IS student said that the DLG was a great opportunity to experience what it’s like to be a career diplomat. “The conference tackled three agendas: Planetary Diplomacy, Human Security Diplomacy, and Overseas Filipino Empowerment, which is, for me, essential in fostering a better and striving country. Meeting the Ambassadors and Ambassadress was a worthwhile experience because they encouraged us to ask questions and share our thoughts. It was a definitive moment as we took up space in the conference as aspiring leaders and future diplomats.” During the event, Francisco was invited to share her insights about the Day 1 morning session’s discussions with the other delegates.
Furthermore, other IS students also participated in the DLGS online. These are Angelica Therese Boquiren, Maureen Rosario, Dominique Althea Policarpio, Danielle Noche, and Zoe Verzo.
