Diaspora to dialogue: A Declaration of Commitment in Rome
The first ever global conference of Filipinos in Europe was held from Sept. 27 to 29 at the Aran Mantegna Hotel in Rome, Italy. It turned out to be a global event with 250 participants coming from 15 European countries, two from the Middle East, three from Asia, and two from North America.
The theme, “Think! Dialogue! Empower! Engage!” spurred a lively forum on best practices in coping with the adjustments and attendant concerns in migrants’ host and home countries, according to a statement issued by the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO)
The Conference ended with a “Rome Declaration of Commitment” which seeks to improve development links between overseas Filipinos and local communities, the CFO reported.
Regional links
The delegate-signatories pledged to promote the implementation of the Declaration through their regional and national networks. Linkages will be provided by the Global Filipino Diaspora Council, which was formed during the First Global Summit of Filipinos in the Diaspora held in the Philippines in 2010.
The resultant Declaration articulated the Filipino migrant community’s concerns and desire to help in the development both of their host and home countries. It draws a framework for Filipino communities to interact and work with multi-sectoral groups of both host and home countries in addressing issues, empowering migrants and strengthening their capacity to re-engage with the Motherland.
An adhoc regional structure, the European Network of Filipino Diaspora (ENFD) was established to rollout the commitment of the delegates. Additionally, ENFD would send their official representatives to the 2nd Diaspora Global Summit in 2013 to be held in the Philippines. (See www.d2d.ph for the full text of the declaration)
Helping hands
The initial funding for the European conference was provided by the International Organization for Migration-Italy (IOM) and Comune di Roma, plus a legal framework provided by the Scalibrini International Migration Institute (SIMI).
Donations by a host of private and government agencies represented in Italy, as well Manila-based business organizations, fueled the success of the conference. (See www.d2d.ph/Sponsor)
The corps of volunteers representing various Filipino organizations in Rome was the backbone for the smooth workflow,the CFO said.
Some reactions:
Atty. Ted Laguatan, independent chair of the conference writes from the United States:
What a totally enriching experience. This Rome historic conference is part of the continuum of good-hearted people even from way back before Jose Rizal and his colleagues—involved in the sacred effort of creating a better life not only for themselves and their families but for all.
Art impresario Virgilio Cuizon from Germany adds:
It was indeed another successful move to unite Filipinos abroad with a common goal, to help the Philippines and its people, the concern to know the problems of the European OFW’s , their families and their host countries…I believe too that we must add more focus on the second generation to our forthcoming events.
From Canada, Miss Trenee Lopez shares:
To say proudly, I was a part of this history making event in Europe for the Filipinos here, it is an exhilarating feeling and would like to move forward, continue to join hands with all our ka-Pinoys across the continent for a better Philippines. Mabuhay kayo….
Secretary Imelda Nicolas of the CFO in congratulating the Conference organizers concludes:
Aside from the conference itself, the fact that the conference resulted in the formation of a European Network of Filipinos and the Rome Declaration from the participants, make it not only a conference of words but of action! Everything in the conference spoke of your attention to details, your commitment to the theme of the conference: diaspora to dialogue, your desire to give everyone the platform to speak out in whatever form they want whether in a hip-hop fashion or through a parliamentary procedure! Bravo and we look forward to the energy and the dynamism of the European network.”
