The Global Filipino Diaspora Council (GFDC) in collaboration with the Filipino-Italian Members of the Global Filipino Diaspora Council (GFDC), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Scalibrini Institute of Migration Onlus (SIMIONLUS), the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) and the Philippine Embassy in Rome, as co-convenor, hosted the Diaspora-to-Dialogue (D2D): 1st Conference of Filipinos in Europe on 27-29 September 2012 in Rome, Italy.
The objective of D2D in Rome is designed to provide a forum for Europe-based Filipino organizations and associations on issues regarding migrant socio-economic integration and re-integration in host and home country processes thereby empowering Filipino migrants for development both in their host country and in the Philippines.
SEDPI shared its experience on financial literacy and channeling migrant investments to rural development during the conference. Mr. Mariel Vincent Rapisura, SEDPI GSE President and CEO showed the financial snapshots of migrants under the Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship program that it implements with the Ateneo School of Government and OFSPES. He also showed the impact of financial literacy to migrants.
The audience during the conference were wowed when Mr. Rapisura shared the success story of SEDPI GSE. He shared that the current PhP150 million portfolio invested in various microfinance institutions and social enterprises in the Philippines only started with a PhP45,000 investment. Mr. Rapisura also reported that SEDPI has conducted financial literacy trainings to almost 2,000 Overseas Filipinos in 14 countries worldwide.
After his presentation, Mr. Rapisura recommended that the governments both the Philippines and host countries to support financial literacy programs for migrants and their families; establishment of an endowment fund to continuously provide financial literacy trainings; and the Philippine government to provide incentives for the establishment of social enterprises.