20 February 2013 - Nineteen (19) students from the Universitat der Bundeswehr Munchen (Federal Armed Forces University in Munich, Germany) visited the Philippine Embassy Chancery in Prague, Czech Republic on February 15.

These students who are enlisted officers of the Federal Armed Forces of Germany visited the Embassy for a mission briefing by Philippine Ambassador to the Czech Republic Evelyn D. Austria-Garcia on Philippine issues in preparation for the students’ participation in the National Model United Nations Conference 2013 (NMUN 2013) in New York on March 17 to 21.

The briefing focused on three major current issues in the Philippines, namely the arbitral proceedings on the West Philippine Sea, the Philippine Government-Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Framework Agreement, and human rights.

The Ambassador emphasized the importance of knowing and understanding Philippine culture, history, geography and topography so as to ably represent the Philippines and enunciate its positions on UN issues.

She updated the group as well on the favorable political developments in the country, including the growth of the economy, the sincere desire of the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III to have a successful peace process, and inclusive growth for all Filipinos.

When asked why they chose the Philippines to represent in the NMUN, the students responded that they were motivated by the country’s bright economic prospects. The students and their professors have spent months of intensive preparation on the Philippines’ history, economy, foreign affairs, participation in international organizations, and engagement in the UN so that they can provide a convincing representation of the Philippines in such an important international simulation.

The Ambassador thanked the group for choosing the Philippines and wished them well in their participation in the NMUN 2013 in March. END