Art in House at The Picasso offers a free lecture to the public on Philippine Culture and Diplomacy: Challenges and Opportunities by Atty. Igor G. Bailen on Saturday, 24 September 2011 from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon in connection to the current exhibition MACARIO VITALIS MIGRANT PAINTER, which runs until October 1, 2011.the 4F Gallery of The Picasso Boutique Serviced Residences, 119 Leviste Street, Salcedo Village, Makati.
The Department of Foreign Affairs is mandated by its own charter (Republic Act No. 7157) to “promote Philippine arts and culture” through the country’s Foreign Service Posts worldwide. Every newly minted Foreign Service Officer is told that culture is an instrument of diplomacy to pursue national interests overseas. But are Filipino diplomats adequately trained to promote the country’s identity – or identities – in the different world capitals? Aside from resource constraints, what key challenges do they face? How do they recognize and strike at opportunities? How do they plan and decide what aspects of Philippine arts and culture to promote? And how do they network with the relevant Philippine government agencies, local authorities abroad, as well as Filipino artists and cultural professionals, in planning and executing cultural programs and events?
Igor G. Bailen, a lawyer by training, has been with the Department of Foreign Affairs since 1997. He was posted in Paris from 2003 to 2009, and was the Philippines’ Deputy Permanent Delegate to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization for over four years. He obtained his Master of Laws in 2002 as a Fulbright scholar at the American University in Washington DC.
For more information or reservations, call +63 917 872 0463.
