During the Philippine Embassy’s inaugural meeting with the Philippine Studies Group (PSG) of the Australian National University (ANU) on 7 December 2011, Philippine Ambassador to Australia Belen F. Anota’s stressed the message that “the Embassy’s doors are always open.” 

In her remarks, Ambassador Anota expressed her appreciation in meeting the Filipino students and some members of the academe of the ANU.  She said that the Embassy’s doors are open to everyone and encouraged the students’ to foster closer linkages with the Embassy. 

The PSG regularly holds monthly potluck seminars on various topics relating to the Philippines.  It was timely that at this month’s seminar the speaker was Mr. Juan E. Dayang, Jr., a Foreign Service Officer I of the Department of Foreign Affairs.  Mr. Dayang who is a recipient of the Australian Leadership Award grant, and a candidate for Doctor of Diplomatic Studies at the  Australian National University (ANU), presented the highlights of his  doctoral thesis entitled Defending the Heroes: Consular Protection of Migrant Workers of the Governments of the Philippines and Mexico. 

The seminar began with an introduction by Prof. Paul Hutchcroft, Director of the School of International, Political & Strategic Studies, College of Asia and the Pacific of the ANU.  He who expressed his appreciation to Ambassador Belen F. Anota for receiving the group. 

Mr. Dayang thereafter proceeded with his presentation which compared the consular protection and diplomatic policy and practices of the Philippines and Mexico for their respective labour migrant citizens.