“The 9th Mindanao International Studies Society Convention aims to gather students who are majoring in International Relations and International Studies all over Mindanao. It is also a way to share their ideas and the things that they have learned and to practice diplomacy at least at a very young age…” – Deorenzie Frances Carreon, Secretary General of the 9th M.I.S.S. Convention
February 18, 2013 marks the second day of the 9th Mindanao International Studies Society Convention. It is participated by over 150 students from universities all over Mindanao including Xavier University (Ateneo de Cagayan), Ateneo de Davao University, Mindanao State University – Marawi City, University of Southern Mindanao, Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku, University of San Carlos of Cebu and our very own Ateneo de Zamboanga University who is hosting this year’s convention.
Fr. Albert Alejo, SJ who is the Assistant to the President on Social Development of ADZU started the convention talking about multiculturalism in Mindanao. Dr. Robert V. Panaguiton, Professor in ADZU talked about the interplay between the Badjau customary laws and formal laws of the Philippines. Ms. Grace C. Albasin, the Director of Xavier University Press tackled about the new media and Filipinos around the world. The Director of the Filipino-Turkish Tolerance High School Mr. Abdulhamit Durakoglu explained the difficulties, adjustments, and realizations of the Turkish Community with the Filipinos in Zamboanga City.
Dr. Julius Bautista a senior lecturer from the National University of Singapore started the afternoon with the issue Materiality and Religious Diversity in Southeast Asia or the spirit of things. The former Defense and Armed Forces Attache of the Philippines to Indonesia Col. Aminkadra S. Undug talked about the Multiple Tug-of-War in the West Philippine Sea: Bilateralism or Multilateralism. Atty. Lilibeth O. Ladaga of the Ladaga and partners Law Firm tackled about Protracted Refugee Situation of Burmese People along Thai-Burma Border. Dr. Rafael M. de Gasperin , Director of the Belief’s Systems and Globalization and also the Institutional Chair of Technologic de Monterey-Mexico was the last speaker of that day and talked about multiculturalism and legal vulnerability of the migrants in Northeastern Mexico.
According to the organizers of the 9th MISS Convention, this is one of the most important events in the academic life of an International Studies/Relations student. With this, they can have the chance to meet new friends and to know students from other universities and also to understand issues that concerns the mankind.
