Consul Gen speaks on PH soft power at public program by Asia Society Northern California
SAN FRANCISCO – Consul General Neil Frank Ferrer served as one of the panelists during the public program titled, Soft Power, Strong Ties: Four Consuls General on Building Local-Global Connections organized by the Asia Society Northern California, last August 21 at The City Club of San Francisco.
Consul General Ferrer was joined on the panel by Munkhbaatar Begzjav, consul general of Mongolia in San Francisco; Chris Ketter, consul general of Australia in San Francisco and senior Trade and Investment commissioner and Levan Kulijanishvili, consul general of Georgia in San Francisco. The event was attended by members of the diplomatic corps, academia, the business community, and other stakeholders, highlighting the breadth of interest in the discussions.
The panel was moderated by Scot Marciel, former US Ambassador to Myanmar and Indonesia and current Asia Society Northern California Board Member and Advisory Council Chair.
The discussions centered on the soft power advantages of the four countries and how these strengths are leveraged to promote their nations within their respective jurisdictions. The conversation also highlighted the critical role of consulates in fostering local-global connections in today’s dynamic environment. The program opened with remarks from Margaret Conley, executive director of Asia Society Northern California & Seattle and concluded with a brief open forum.
Consul General Ferrer noted that a primary focus of the Consulate’s soft power engagement is the Filipino diaspora. Aside from providing essential consular services, the Consulate partners with the Filipino-American community in promoting Philippine culture, history, and heritage. The Consulate actively engages with second and third generation Filipino Americans to get them connected with their Filipino roots.
Ferrer described the Consulate’s efforts to reach the general public, local companies and startups, to share more information about the Philippines and hopefully encourage them to visit the country for tourism or do business in the Philippines. He also noted the Consulate’s outreach to schools and academic institutions and highlighted its flagship partnership with the University of California Berkeley supporting the Philippine studies program at the Center for Southeast Asian studies.
On the question of giving back to the community as a form of soft power, Ferrer highlighted the Filipino American community’s generous assistance and support not only during periods of calamities, whether in the Philippines or in the United States. These acts of solidarity and compassion, he emphasized, demonstrate that soft power is not only expressed through culture and diplomacy, but also through the strength of community and shared humanity.
Ferrer emphasized the strong bilateral relations between the Philippines and the United States, anchored on their shared history, vibrant people-to-people relations, including shared values and commitment to the rule of law.
