01/06/2026
๐น๐ฑ๐ต๐ญ ๐ง๐ถ๐บ๐ผ๐ฟ-๐๐ฒ๐๐๐ฒ ๐๐บ๐ฏ๐ฎ๐๐๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ฎ ๐ฆ๐ถ๐น๐๐ฎ ๐๐ป๐ด๐ฎ๐ด๐ฒ๐ ๐ฃ๐จ๐ฃ ๐ฆ๐๐๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐๐น๐๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ถ๐ฝ๐น๐ผ๐บ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐
More than 500 students, faculty members, and aspiring diplomats gathered at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) for the PUP Diplomacy Forum 2026, themed โBridging Cultures, Building Futures: Education and Diplomacy within a Changing Global Order.โ Held on May 29, 2026, at Bulwagang Balagtas, Ninoy Aquino Library and Learning Resources Center, PUP Sta. Mesa, Manila, the forum served as a valuable platform for dialogue on the role of education and diplomacy in advancing international understanding and cooperation in an increasingly interconnected world.
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๐ฐ๐ฒ๐น๐น๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐ ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฎ๐ป๐ผ ๐ข๐ฐ๐๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฎ ๐ฑ๐ฎ ๐ฆ๐ถ๐น๐๐ฎ, ๐๐บ๐ฏ๐ฎ๐๐๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ง๐ถ๐บ๐ผ๐ฟ-๐๐ฒ๐๐๐ฒ ๐๐ผ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฃ๐ต๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ๐, joined fellow distinguished speakers His Excellency Dato' Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino bin Anthony, Ambassador of Malaysia to the Philippines, and His Excellency Karel Hejฤ, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the Philippines, in engaging with the next generation of global leaders.
As a keynote speaker, Ambassador da Silva delivered a presentation on โCulture as Connection: The Power of Cultural Diplomacy in a Global Age,โ highlighting how cultural understanding serves as a bridge between nations and creates opportunities for academic exchange, collaboration, and meaningful people-to-people connections. He also underscored the importance of strengthening educational partnerships and fostering greater cooperation between Timor-Leste and the Philippines.
Through academic collaboration, cultural exchange, and regional engagement, Timor-Leste and the Philippines continue to deepen their friendship and create new opportunities for learning, mutual understanding, and shared progress.
The Embassy of Timor-Leste extends its sincere appreciation to the PUP International Studies Studentsโ Assembly (PUP-ISSA), the College of Political Science and Public Administration, faculty members, organizers, and all participants for hosting this meaningful forum and fostering dialogue on the future of international cooperation.
To the students who participated, your curiosity, insights, and commitment to global understanding are essential in shaping a more connected and peaceful future.
๐ What role do you think culture plays in bringing countries closer together? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Follow the Embassy of Timor-Leste in the Philippines for updates on cultural exchanges, educational opportunities, diplomatic engagements, and the growing partnership between Timor-Leste and the Philippines.
๐ธ Photos courtesy of the PUP Diplomacy Forum 2026 and the PUP International Studies Students' Assembly (PUP-ISSA).
