A group of talented second-year students from MC-International Studies (MC-IS) has achieved a significant milestone, successfully completing the Volunteer Ambassador (VAMBA) Externship Programme Batch 2023-A. This collaborative effort, led by the Diplomatic League (D-League) in partnership with the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs Office of the Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Affairs (DFA-OUCSCA), aims to cultivate budding diplomatic skills.
Among the thirty-eight externs who participated, five MC-IS students stood out: Danielle Noche, Irish Shayne Francisco, Ma. Angelica Therese Boquiren, Maureen Rosario, and Zoe Nicola Verzo. The VAMBA Externship Programme, spanning from February to May 2023, immersed participants in 200 hours of dedicated online learning, both individually and in groups, designed to hone their ambassadorial abilities.
An impressive accomplishment stemming from these MC-IS VAMBA externs is the launch of their online advocacy campaign, “Boto Sa Ibayong Dagat” (Casting Votes Beyond the Seas). This collaborative initiative, supported by the Diplomatic League, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), aims to inform, encourage, and dispel myths surrounding overseas voting, particularly targeting overseas Filipino voters. This endeavor demonstrated the practical application of the skills acquired during their externship.
Acknowledgments also go to IS students Dominique Althea Policarpio, Church Dolatre, and Erica Jasmine De Leoz, who were also actively engaged in the externship. Policarpio is set to be recognized among the Batch 2023-B completers.
Rooted in the principle of “Universal Diplomacy,” the Diplomatic League (D-League), an interactive Youth Engagement and Volunteerism Platform within the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), designed the VAMBA Externship Programme to cultivate a new generation of “Laan Sugo” or “reservist diplomats.” This program encourages young professionals, university students, and community leaders globally to engage in diplomatic activities.
The VAMBA Externship Programme has not only imparted valuable skills and knowledge but also provided a unique avenue for participants to explore the world of diplomacy. As the application period for the upcoming VAMBA Externship Batch 2023-B approaches later this year, a diverse group of students, professionals, and leaders are anticipated to apply, eager to refine their diplomatic skills and contribute to the framework of Philippine Foreign Policy.
