DFA ENGAGES CSUANS IN PUBLIC DIPLOMACY CARAVAN

Tuguegarao City — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), through the Office of the Student Development and Welfare (OSDW), launched its first Public Diplomacy Caravan at Cagayan State University (CSU) today, April 28, 2025.

Students from CSU Andrews and Carig campuses participated onsite, while students from the seven other CSU campuses attended virtually via Zoom.

Officials from the DFA’s Office of Public Diplomacy (OPD), Maritime and Ocean Affairs Office (MOAO), Office of ASEAN Affairs, Office of Policy Planning and Coordination (OPPC), and Human Resources Management Office (HRMO) graced the event.

Mr. Duke A. Villanueva, Acting Executive Director of the OPD, delivered the opening message, emphasizing the DFA’s broad responsibilities extend beyond passport services.

The caravan featured presentations on the Philippines’ independent foreign policy, the West Philippine Sea, maritime zones, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the 2016 Arbitral Award, the Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANAMo), Philippine relations in Maritime Southeast Asia, the country’s engagement with the United Nations and international organizations, and careers at the DFA.

An open forum followed, where students raised questions about DFA functions, career opportunities, and the Department’s role in foreign relations.

The Public Diplomacy Caravan is part of the DFA’s initiative to bring government services closer to the people and promote greater awareness and engagement with Philippine foreign policy among the youth.