For the first time in the Embassy’s history, a course on Association-Building is offered to the Filipino Community, through the Universidad Camilo Jose Cela (UCJC), a university based in Madrid that focuses on fostering the entrepreneurial spirit among its students through social innovation and building of technological skills.
The Embassy crafted the course with UCJC to strengthen existing and newly-minted Filipino organizations, to help their officers and members find their purpose, assist in registering their organizations with the Ayuntamiento (City Hall) which would allow them to apply for grants and privileges awarded by the City of Madrid, and to ultimately strengthen cooperation and unity among association members.
In his welcome remarks, Ambassador Philippe J. Lhuillier informed the Filipino Community that the course is part of the Embassy’s program for the 75th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations of the Philippines and Spain, and was designed with UCJC “to make sure that organizations, and the
Filipino Community are strengthened, and that each member understands that they contribute to the improvement and upliftment of the Community”. The Ambassador added that he wished to strengthen Spain-based Filipino organizations to allow them to integrate into Spanish society.
Ms. Rosa Maria Gonzalez Vivas, Directress for UCJC Programs, and Mr. Mario Garcia Matute, the University’s Director for Lifelong Learning and Organizations, as well as Professor Jose Maria Menendez Manchaca, who is teaching the course, were present during the opening ceremony to welcome the Embassy and the Filipino Community.
The classes are held at the UCJC Campus every Saturday until 03 December, from 4.30 to 7.00 pm. Registered Filipinos are able to attend the class for free, with the Embassy shouldering the course fees.