Page 34 - Hello Philippines February 2016 'B' issue

34 www.hello-philippines.com PHILIPPINE EMBASSY AROUND THE WORLD February 2016 / Fortnightly – No. 4 • UK & Europe Edition

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THE Philippines hosted the Second The international meeting brought prevention advocates tasked with the
International Meeting of the Global in experts in the field of human responsibility on developing county Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Rafael E. Seguis welcomes the participants to the Second
Action against Mass Atrocity Crimes rights, international humanitarian profiles, including political surveys, International Meeting of the Global Action Against Mass Atrocity Crimes (GAAMAC II). To his left is Ms. Mo Bleeker,
(GAAMAC II) from February 02 to law, justice, peace and reconciliation, and compilation of best practices. Special Envoy for Dealing with the Past and Prevention of Atrocities of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign
04, in Marco Polo Hotel, Pasig City conflict and genocide prevention and Affairs, Mr. Adama Dieng, UN Undersecretary General and Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide; Ms. Andrea
with the theme, “Preventing atrocities: advocates of the Right to Protect (R2P) • The North America and Europe Reichlin, Swiss Ambassador to the Philippines and Assistant Secretary Jesus R.S. Domingo of the DFA.
How to strengthen national atrocity led by UN Undersecretary General group called for dialogue and action
prevention architectures”. and Special Adviser to the Secretary with stakeholders to raise the political GAAMAC II’s include the following: • Developing tolerance/atrocity
General on the Prevention of Genocide profile and operationalization of • Data gathering and data prevention education curricula; and
GAAMAC II, which is a state and and R2P Mr. Adama Dieng. Drawing atrocity prevention and R2P; and
CSO-led initiative established in March against the backdrop of various verification systems not only to find • Advocacy and dissemination
2013, brought together more than 200 conflicts occurring in various parts • The Latin American group instances of mass violence, but also of gender-relevant issues in atrocity
delegates, comprising of 54 states, 37 of the world, Undersecretary Dieng recommended the implementation of their patterns; prevention.
of whom came from their capitals and challenged the delegates to come standardized training and capacity
over 50 non-government organizations up with regional practical tools and building measures and promoting • Regionally-based, cross-cutting Assistant Secretary of Foreign
as well as 10 international approaches to combat the threat of inclusive multi-sectoral dialogue and partnerships on information sharing Affairs Mr. Jesus R. S. Domingo
organizations, to share experiences in mass atrocity crimes. The delegates regional cooperation in developing and capacity building, such as in the closed the meeting by emphasizing
mass atrocity prevention and develop responded enthusiastically with the national architectures. Great Lakes Region in Africa; the importance of an inclusive multi-
national architectures to deter such following recommendations: stakeholder involvement, capacitating
crimes. Undersecretary for Foreign • Special Envoy of the Swiss Federal • Making information and communities at the grass roots
Affairs Rafael E. Seguis opened the • The Africa group proposed the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Task technology tools available for atrocity level and the role of each GAAMAC
meeting with an overview of the creation of a manual to be developed Force for Dealing with the Past and prevention at the local, community II delegate in the formation of an
Philippines’ institutional advances and within the next 12 months. Prevention of Atrocities, Ms. Mo Bleeker level; “architecture or edifice”- whether local,
implementation of human rights and underscored the Philippines’ role as a national, regional or global - to prevent
international humanitarian law. • The Asia group recommended the key partner in raising awareness about • Compiling good practices on, mass atrocity crimes. n Philippine Embassy
creation of a loose network of atrocity atrocity crimes and prevention in the for example, countering hate speech,
The closing of GAAMAC II on 04 February 2016. region. Ideas and initiatives tabled in promoting inclusivity, and the use of Philippines / February 10, 2016
social media;

Business Opportunities and Franchising for Balikbayans Highlighted in New York Seminar
THE Philippine Consulate General years due to a platform combining good brands beginning at P500k investment.

in New York hosted a Seminar on governance and the institution of sound Prof. Soriano also shared his

Franchising and Business Opportunities macroeconomic fundamentals. Then, as experiences working with some of the

in the Philippines for Balikbayans on she introduced the program speaker, she most prolific business tycoons in the

February 01 at the Kalayaan Hall of the pointed out the importance of the seminar Philippines, including Henry Sy, Sr., John

New York Philippine Center. The seminar for many “Overseas Filipinos who are ever Gokongwei, Jr., and Andrew Tan, and how

was led by Professor Enrique M. Soriano, so mindful of our country’s situation as he acquired much practical knowledge in

a noted book author and columnist not a few of us continue to support family business management from working with

in the Philippines, whose varied past members and friends back home. There is them.

occupations have also included being wisdom in finding business opportunities He further illustrated valuable lesson

the Chairman of Eastwood City, First for ourselves and our family members in points in franchising, specifically the

President of Travelers International our golden years. As 2016 is a Presidential need for focus, hiring and paying the

(Resorts World), Head of Megaworld election year, Overseas Filipinos should right people, efficient customer service,

Lifestyle Malls, Chairman of the take their duty to vote seriously and choose aggressive yet prudent financial discipline,

Marketing Com Phil. Retirement Inc., leaders who can continue reforms and brand investment, powerful value (Top left photo) TFC Channel and Bagong Kulturang Pinoy (BKP) promotional booths at the lobby of the New York
Group CEO of Belo Medical Group and provide a stable economic environment,” propositions, tenacity and executional Philippine Center during the program’s welcome reception. (Top right photo) Deputy Consul General Kira Christian
CEO of Medsonix Philippines. she added. excellence. Danganan-Azucena introduces the program’s resource speaker. (Bottom photo) Rowena Sy-Santos, Co-Executive
Director of the Bagong Kulturang Pinoy (BKP), explains to the audience at the Kalayaan Hall of the New York
The evening’s program began In his presentation, Prof. Soriano Audience members were given a chance Philippine Center the services of her organization. (Bottom right photo) Prof. Enrique M. Soriano, Book Author and
with a short briefing presentation by stressed the importance of creating your to share their views and to inquire more Columnist, delivers his presentation during the evening’s Seminar on Franchising and Business Opportunities in
Ms. Rowena Sy-Santos, Co-Executive own compelling story when it came to on franchising and business opportunities the Philippines for Balikabayans.

Director of the Bagong Kulturang Pinoy initiating successful and productive private with Prof. Soriano during the program’s

(BKP), who explained to the audience businesses. He discussed how knowledge question-and-answer portion. Consul

her organization’s services and was a valuable equalizer in all successful Felipe Carino, director of the economic

advocacy where Filipino immigrants businesses and cited the examples of section, then awarded Prof. Soriano with

sponsor and fund libraries and bring lucrative food/drug franchises based in the a Certificate of Appreciation for serving as

books from the U.S. to rural areas in the Philippines which have now expanded to the evening’s resource speaker.

Philippines. different locations throughout the country This seminar is one of the first public

Deputy Consul General Kira and even to global locations in North service events regularly conducted by the

Christianne Danganan-Azucena America, Europe and the Middle East, Consulate General throughout the year

welcomed the participants and including Jollibee, Julie’s Bakeshop, Mini- in cooperation with and for the benefit (Left photo) Prof. Soriano exchanges information with an audience member during the program’s question-and-
briefly spoke about the emergence Stop, Generika Drugstore, and Mr. Softy, all of the local community. n Philippine Embassy answer portion. (Right photo) Consul Felipe Cariño, director of economic section, (far left) presents Prof. Soriano
of the Philippine economy in recent of which are affordable and recognizable a Certificate of Appreciation for the delivery of his presentation, together with Rowena Sy-Santos (far right).
Philippines / February 09, 2016