Manila, Philippines – On 21-22 April 2023, the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) held its 2023 Annual Business Planning and Team Building Activity in Alfonso, Cavite with the theme “Synergy in Action.” The event aimed to align personnel around the plans, programs, and activities laid out for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 and build synergy and harmony amongst the employees and divisions of FSI.

The Heads of Divisions of FSI presented their respective business plan for the year. Director-General Daza emphasized the importance of planning but also underlined that the plan will thrive if everyone takes an active role in its implementation—rallying the importance of teamwork on all the Institute’s future pursuits for the rest of the year.

As an Institute that commits to improve training and research support for the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and other relevant agencies, FSI prepared an Annual Business Plan that is anchored to the DFA Strategic Plan 2023-2028, to address the needs and deliver better services for the DFA and other clientele. An update on the status of FSI’s Financial and Physical Targets as of the First Quarter of 2023 was also presented to aid in the understanding of how the plans, programs, and activities for the year will be realized.

The two (2) day event also included various team building activities such as inter-team cheering competition, group games, and a one-day league of volleyball and basketball. The organizers carried out team building activities that would foster better communication among employees, and provide them an opportunity to socialize and get to know one another in a more relaxed environment. Synergy amongst the employees and divisions of FSI maximize productivity and contributes to employees’ overall sense of belonging to the FSI as an organization.

The event concluded by highlighting the Institute’s vision to be a leading institution in Asia for diplomatic training and foreign policy research – as one FSI team.