Twenty-three (23) students from the School of Diplomacy and Governance of the De La Salle College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) in Manila visited the Philippine Embassy in Brussels for a courtesy call on His Excellency Jaime Victor B. Ledda yesterday, 20 March 2023.

Before coming to Brussels, the students participated in the Harvard World Model United Nations Paris 2023 (HWMUN 2023) that was held in Paris, France on 12-16 March 2023. They belong to the AB-CDA (Bachelor of Arts in Consular and Diplomatic Affairs), AB-DIA (Bachelor of Arts in Diplomacy and International Affairs) and AB-GPA (Bachelor of Arts in Governance and Public Affairs) programs under supervision of Ms. Shiela Mae M. Sabalburo, Faculty Adviser for the HWMUN 2023 delegation.

Ambassador Ledda warmly welcomed them at the Chancery and gave them an overview of the Embassy’s history and the highlights of the Philippines’ diplomatic relations with the Kingdom of Belgium, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and the European Union. Consul General Pablito A. Mendoza gave an orientation on the Embassy’s consular services, while Cultural Attaché Liza Jane Estalilla highlighted the various programs, initiatives and projects of the Embassy’s Cultural and Gender and Development Sections. Also present was Trade Attaché Magnolia Misolas-Ashley who spoke about the functions and activities of the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Brussels and the Office of the Agriculture Attaché in Brussels.

The students showed their keen interest in learning more about the nuances of working in the Department of Foreign Affairs as they fielded a lot of questions about the experiences and challenges faced by Embassy officials during their overseas postings.

The visit ended with a high note as Ms. Sabalburo and the students thanked the Ambassador and Embassy officials for the warm welcome and wealth of information they gained that inspired them even more to pursue their dreams of becoming diplomats of the Philippines someday.

IN PHOTO: Students of the DLS-CSB School of Diplomacy and Governance with Ambassador Jaime Victor B. Ledda (seated center, front row) and officials of the Philippine Embassy in Brussels during their visit to the Chancery on 20 March 2023.