Joycee A. Teodoro, Foreign Affairs Research Specialist, responds to a question raised during the open forum.
Ms. Joycee A. Teodoro, Foreign Affairs Research Specialist, responds to a question raised during the open forum.

The Center of International Relations and Strategic Studies (CIRSS) of the Foreign Institute (FSI) took part in the public forum “One ASEAN: Opportunities and Challenges For the Youth Sector” held on 24 April 2015 at the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) Auditorium, University of the Philippines-Los Baños (UPLB).

The event was organized by the students of DM 241 (Managerial Leadership) class of the UPLB College of Public Affairs and Development under Atty. Damcelle Torres-Cortes.

Ms. Joycee A. Teodoro, Foreign Affairs Research Specialist, discussed the ASEAN Community and its three pillars. She emphasized the role of the youth sector in transforming ASEAN into a “people-driven” Community and encouraged young Filipinos to know more about their ASEAN neighbors.

Dr. Lorenzo Guinto, Co-Convenor of ASEAN Youth Dialogues, also served as a resource person during the event. He raised the question on why the Filipinos should care about ASEAN integration, highlighting how ASEAN relates to issues of health, education, environment and climate change, and labor and employment, among others.

The event was attended by university students, youth leaders, civil society representatives, and local government officials from different municipalities in Laguna.

Ms. Teodoro (second from left) and Dr. Lorenzo Guinto (second from right) of ASEAN Youth Dialogue receive certificates of appreciation from Mr. Lester Ordan (leftmost) and Atty. Damcelle Torres-Cortes.