Future Pinoy envoys meet, tackle Asean integration

By NITZ ARANCON
Correspondent

OVER 350 International Studies students from all over Mindanao are now in the city to tackle the future of diplomatic relations in view of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) integration.

The delegates, from eight Mindanao universities and colleges, gathered for the three-day 12th Mindanao International Studies Society Convention hosted by organized Xavier University (XU) students at Pearlmont Hotel.

Aside from Xavier, participating schools include Liceo de Cagayan University, Ateneo de Davao, Ateneo de Zamboanga, Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku, Al Khwarizmi International College, Mindanao University-Marawi City, and  University of Southern Mindanao.

The ongoing convention is highlighting the need to “break barriers” this early in order to pave the way for a “borderless” Asean by 2020.

Luke Igot, an International Studies teacher at Xavier, said academics agree that the country needs to produce enough graduates with skills on diplomatic relations “for us to be ready for globalization” especially with the Asean integration that would affect the Philippines, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Brunei.

Globalization and the integration would create a demand for people who can really improve diplomatic relations, Igot said.

He said Xavier and other Mindanao schools were aiming to produce more young diplomats through the International Studies program.

Devin Cabatingan, president of Xavier’s organized International Studies students, said the participants gathered in the city so as to broaden their understanding of the 2020 Asean Integration, and know exactly how this would affect the Philippines and its diplomatic relations.

Cabatingan said the students are also set on tackling concerns on education, health, peace and order, trade and commerce, human rights, and the environment.