INVITATION TO THE 2nd ENFiD EUROPEAN CONFERENCE Maastricht, 26 May 2015 Dear friends, The European Network of Filipino Diaspora (ENFiD.org) is holding the 2nd European Regional Conference and General Assembly under the theme -- Overseas Filipinos (OF) for Transnational Development Make a Self-Assessment (Ako ay Pilipino, Ganito Ako Ngayon, Paano Ako Bukas). With this writing we would like to invite you be with us to enrich the discussions and debates and to meet and connect with fellow ‘kababayans’ from all over Europe. Starting with the premise that: Understanding social remittances combined with a well-defined Euro-Pinoy identity lead to harness the Development Impact of Socio-Cultural and Psycho-Emotional Remittance of Overseas Filipinos in Europe.

“Social remittances are usually defined as the ideas, practices, identities and social capital that flow from receiving to sending country communities. Social remittances are transferred by migrants and refugees or they are exchanged by letter or other forms of communication, including by phone, fax, the internet or video. They may affect family relations, gender roles, class and race identity, as well as have a substantial impact on political, economic and religious participation. Social remittances constitute a so far neglected local-level counterpart to macro-level global monetary and cultural flows, although they are key to understanding how migration modifies the lives of those who remain behind. To the extent that social remittances flow together with economic remittances, changes in normative structures and general practices may be pertinent to ensure the continuation of economic remittances.” Peggy Levitt

What we want to achieve in the Conference is to get a clear understanding of the psycho-socio-cultural identity of European-Pinoys i.e., a combination of their Filipino

 

cultural heritage with the cultural diversity in the European society and how this is handed down to their daily life, work, study and raise children. Along with this, we want to know the various ways by which social remittances are disseminated by Euro-Pinoys to the Philippines; how they invade the mind-set, attitudes, behaviour and opinions of the non-migrant society (socially, culturally, psychologically, politically, emotionally); and the impact on the personal, family, community lives. The various expertise of the speakers were linked to the social remittances diffused by the OF’s not only to the homeland but that these also occur in the host country – an intermingle of Filipino and European habits. Workshops and Plenary discussions give the participants the chance to debate, discuss and exchange information and experiences. During the conference we hope to provide answers to the following questions: - How is economic remittance embedded into socio-cultural remittance? - How can the Euro-Pinoy’s social influence, affect and change the needs, values and mind-frames of Filipino non-migrants? - How can social remittances be organized, perceived and accepted for/by the senders and receivers? - Economic, political and cultural globalization is the basis for the emergence of transnational communities. What are the global radiation of ideas and mannerisms that contribute to the emerging transnational community? What are the cultures received and transmitted by OF families at micro level? Considering the distance between senders and receivers, what are the physical and social complexities involved in the circulation of social remittances? - What is the nature of social remittances that are sent and received? Through what mechanism? What factors determine their acceptance and effect? What impact does it have in life of the sending-country? To have an informed discussion, information materials will be sent to the participants. At the end of the Conference a Declaration with an Action Plan and Policy Recommendation will be formulated which will be disseminated to government and non-government institutions and organisations that are involved in Migration and Development themes in Europe and the Philippines.

 

Please find below other information about the Conference: Description: Strengthening the Filipino-European Identity to Harness the Development Impact of Socio-Cultural and Psycho-Emotional Remittance of Overseas Filipinos in Europe Background: Filipinos uprooted themselves from the home country in search of better economic life. Absorbed with earning decent income in the host country most are left with little time to examine the value, potential and richness of their multicultural life experience. Many are mired in their past life in the Philippines clinging to old customs and time-frozen habits of long ago usually out-of-sync with the 2nd generation.

With no clear guide to parenting in a multi-cultural environment, parents hark to nostalgic traditional symbolisms, albeit their meaning largely undefined. An undefined identity is a handicap for OF to effectively enrich the culture of the host country with their home culture. Often, there is confusion among the OFs, especially children and youth, about their dual identity as Filipino and European leaving them out of the society mainstream and a threat to ghettoized living.

Conducting a self-assessment and defining the Euro-Pinoy can help develop competence of the Filipino community equipped to fully participate in the social and cultural processes of the host countries at the same time continue supporting the homeland. Furthermore a strong European-Filipino identity that understands socio-cultural and psycho-emotional realities in a multi-cultural environment can greatly build confidence of OF parents in the upbringing of the 2nd generation.

Objective: Allow the opportunity to debate, self-examine and analyze “What and Who” is a Filipino living overseas in a multicultural environment; and define the OF as a Euro-Pinoy in the conduct of their Personal Life, Social Behavior, Cultural Awareness and Economic Preparedness Date and Venue: The conference takes place on 1 - 2 August 2015 in San Antonio Hotel, ST. Paul’s Bay Malta. The ENFID General Assembly takes place on July 31 at the same venue. Participants: The conference is open to all Overseas Filipinos, primarily those in the European Region. It is also open to non-Filipino migrants and Europeans involved in Migration and Development work.

 

ENFiD is a non-profit networking association of Filipino communities in Europe formed at the Overseas Filipinos regional conference held in Rome in 2012, registered in Malta and the EU Transparency Registry. Presently ENFiD has 18-country members and affiliations and has institutional partnerships with the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) and the PhilAm Life Foundation. The Conference Program is attached. Please be advised that a Conference Kit (with reading materials and practical guides) will be sent to you after registering. Respectfully,

Rohlee de Guzman Vice Chairperson, ENFiD-EU Director, Development and Promotions, ENFiD-EU www.enfid.org

Marie Luarca-Reyes Executive Director, ENFiD-EU Honorary Representative to Europe, CFO