1 August 2010, Tel Aviv, Israel – The Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv, the Philippine Overseas Labor Office and the Overseas Workers' Welfare Administration conducted a half-day Leadership Training Workshop for Filipino community leaders.

These leaders / participants came from different community organizations which are part of the Federation of Filipino Communities in Israel (FFCI), an umbrella organization. Community Leaders and participants came from different parts Israel, from Haifa in the North, and Jerusalem in the South.

In recognizing the needs of the Filipino Community in Israel, the Philippine Embassy and its attached agencies, POLO and OWWA, worked hand-in-hand in conceptualizing this endeavor. The Embassy came up with modules on team building activities and simulation exercises. The goal of this initiative was to improve the capacity of Filipino community organizations to manage their activities, to sharpen their skills in interacting with other organizations and even relevant Israeli institutions.

Ambassador Petronila P. Garcia, in her speech, thanked the participants for giving their precious time by attending and actively participating in the seminar. She stated that the endeavor sponsed by OWWA was timely owing to the growing demands of community organizations, especially now that FFCI membership grew to 33 organizations early this year. She congratulated all participants and noted that it was an opportunity to hone individual talents, leadership skills and, at the same time, impart the importance of team work.

Welfare Officer Pet Bergado, standing / wearing barong (yellow), observes one of the groups during their preparation for a presentation of a group endeavor under the team building module of the workshop.

The focus of team building module was to develop camaraderie among existing, and new, community leaders. It also aimed at bringing all organizations closer to each other through cooperation and team work. During the simulation exercises, participants were divided into four groups and each of them was given a scenario such as (1) conducting a meeting, (2) planning an activity, (3) conflict management and (4) case management.

Embassy officials provided them with guidance and provided feedback, which participants appreciated.

Ambassador Petronila P. Garcia, assisted by Labor Attaché Merriam Cuasay, Welfare Officer Petrona Bergado, Cultural Attaché Chester Omaga-Diaz and Consular Assistant Fatima Tabio, awarded each participant with Certificate of Completion.

-END-