CFO calls on NaFFAA to send young Filipino Americans to YouLeaD
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Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) Chairperson Dante “Klink” Ang II called on the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) to send at least one young Filipino American from each of its 14 regions to participate in the CFO’s Youth Leaders in the Diaspora (YouLeaD) program every year.
Speaking before delegates of the 16th NaFFAA National Empowerment Conference on August 14 in Colorado, USA, Ang said stronger youth engagement can deepen the next generation’s connection with the Philippines and develop future leaders of the global Filipino community.
“NaFFAA has 14 regions across the US. Can you commit to send just one participant per region to YouLeaD every year?” Ang asked.
Ang particularly encouraged young Filipino Americans who were born or raised in the United States to organize or join a YouLeaD group, giving succeeding generations more opportunities to strengthen their connection with the Philippines.
YouLeaD provides an immersive learning experience that strengthens young Filipinos’ understanding of Philippine history, culture, institutions, and communities. It helps participants rediscover their Filipino identity, develop leadership skills, build global networks, and explore meaningful ways to contribute to the development of their ancestral homeland.
Ang recognized NaFFAA as one of the CFO’s strongest partners in this work and expressed hope that the CFO and NaFFAA could organize more YouLeaD groups from the United States.
He also noted that the Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO) is now working with the CFO’s YouLeaD team, further expanding opportunities for collaboration in engaging young Filipinos overseas.
“These young people will become the community leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, artists, diplomats, and advocates of tomorrow. When we strengthen their connection to the Philippines, we strengthen the future of our global Filipino community,” Ang said.
The YouLeaD initiative forms part of the CFO’s broader diaspora engagement efforts to sustain the political, economic, and cultural connection of Non-Resident Filipinos and succeeding generations with the Philippines.
NaFFAA held its 16th National Empowerment Conference at the Hyatt Regency Aurora-Denver Conference Center in Colorado, bringing together Filipino American leaders, community organizations, advocates, and partners from across the United States.
About the Commission on Filipinos Overseas
The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), established under Batas Pambansa 79, is dedicated to the welfare and empowerment of Filipinos permanently residing abroad. It is distinct from the Department of Migrant Workers, which primarily addresses the needs of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) and other temporary migrants.
The CFO, which is an agency under the Office of the President, works to strengthen the political, economic, and cultural ties of global Filipinos with their home country. Its primary stakeholders include Filipino permanent migrants, dual citizens, spouses and partners of foreign nationals, participants of the US Exchange Visitor Program, participants of Au Pair Program for Europe, and Filipino descendants overseas.
For more information, please contact Atty. Jhade Quiamco of the Office of the Executive Director at jcquiamco@cfo.gov.ph.
