PH Foreign Undersecretary Discusses Philippine Foreign Policy at University of Jordan
AMMAN 07 November 2024 - At the sidelines of her official visit to the Kingdom for the inaugural Philippines-Jordan Political Consultations, Hon. Undersecretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro of the Office of Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs of the Department of Foreign Affairs, conducted a lecture on the Philippines at the Lecture Theatre of the School of Political Science and International Studies of the University of Jordan on 06 November 2024.
The lecture aimed to foster greater appreciation and dialogue between the two nations, highlighting shared values and aspirations, and to deepen the understanding of the Philippines’ rich history, culture, and contributions to global affairs.
The lecture was attended by around 100 students, faculty, staff, and Embassy officials.
Undersecretary Lazaro presented a comprehensive overview that included a brief background on the Philippines, recent developments, and its role in ASEAN and international relations. She highlighted how the Philippines values its bilateral allies for support in political, economic, and socio-cultural areas. Additionally, she shared her thoughts on the value of people-to-people exchanges in fostering cultural understanding and cooperation between countries.
The session ended in a Q&A segment, showcasing attendees' interest in enhancing connections between the two nations.
Prior to the lecture, Undersecretary Lazaro was received by the University President, Dr. Natheer Obeidat. Over a brief meeting, they discussed the potential for future collaborations between the University of Jordan and Philippine academic institutions such as the University of the Philippines. She also proposed activities to further enhance the collaboration such as formal university-to-university linkages, and training on Arabic language for overseas Filipino workers in order to equip them with necessary skills for them to easily navigate and integrate themselves in the host countries in the Middle East. Dr. Obeidat expressed enthusiasm for fostering academic exchanges, emphasizing the mutual benefits of shared knowledge and cultural exchange programs.
The Philippine Embassy, under the leadership of His Excellency Wilfredo C. Santos, remains grateful to the University of Jordan for its continued partnership and commitment to enhancing Philippine-Jordan relations. END
