US Ambassador visits AdZU; holds talks with youth & Islamic leaders
The Ateneo campus in La Purisima was on high alert Friday last week when US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg, made his courtesy visit to ADZU President Fr Karel San Juan, SJ, in the latter’s office.
The US envoy held separate talks with Islamic leaders in the city and with youth leaders from different schools and communities.
With Islamic leaders, Goldberg discussed the peace process, sustainable development in the ZAMBASULTA area, and the radicalization of students in Mindanao. They also explored possibilities where the US Embassy can be of assistance.
Present during the round table discussion were Federation of Muslim Student Associations (FMSA) Executive Chair Shiekh Loderson “Mahir” Gustaham, FMSA Adviser Sansibar Jamahali, Golden Crescent Consortium of Peace Builders President Prof. Ali Yacub, and Ateneo Peace Institute Muslim Affairs Coordinator Yusuf Morales.
In the forum with the youth, Goldberg tackled US-Philippine bilateral relations, focusing on the US flagship program for the youth, the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI).
Addressing over 150 participants composed of students from ADZU, Western Mindanao State University, Zamboanga City State Polytechnic College, out-of-school youth from barangay Taluksangay and alumni of various US grants, Goldberg presented the YSEALI as a program that develops leadership among the young, establishing networks between the US and Southeast Asian nations through various programs such as socio-cultural exchanges and civic engagements, among others.
