The Need For Unity Of Filipino Leaders

The Filipino Leader within the Asia Pacific

The role of the Filipino Leader towards the development of the Asia Pacific Community could be appreciated in four different areas covering the capacity of the Filipino to inspire, rally and convene people towards a cause. This role is essential in uplifting the situation of the Philippines and promoting greater cooperation among Pacific Rim countries toward an essential cause.Peaceful Revolution. In 1986, the whole world was inspired and learned from Filipinos that a major political change (or revolution) is possible through an active and non-violent way. The EDSA Revolution has became a symbol of an empowered people claiming their stake in democracy, which later inspired other countries to pursue the same track in asserting popular democracy. The Filipino leader should inspire other leaders from the Asia Pacific community to constantly pursue active non-violent means towards societal change, and thus, imprinting the need for the leaders of other nations to make sure that the interest and voice of the people remains at their top concern.Making Sense of Things. With the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) serving as the mechanism for countries within the Pacific Rim to improve economic and political ties, and with the major role that the Philippine plays in said gathering, the Filipino leader is in strategic position to influence multi-lateral economic relations and trade agreements. The Filipino leader could engage leaders from other countries belonging to the Cooperation to look into trade agreements such as the GATT-WTO and validate its impacts to smaller and developing nations, and through the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC). These initiatives will make sense out of these multi-later agreements.Elevating the Philippines. An important role of the Filipino leader is to make sure that the Philippines become a viable destination for investment and tourism. Alongside, the Filipino Leader should mobilize the Filipinos toward becoming a competitive human resource pool for the demand from Asia Pacific countries. The Filipino leader should maximize the potential of the outsource market available to Filipino workers. Taking the case of digital animation, for example, where Philippine-based universities and colleges are producing world class animators, the Filipino leader should bridge needs abroad (i.e., Thailand, S. Korea) to the capacities back home. Bringing investments locally shall prove to be more economically and socially beneficial than sending our workforce abroad.Bridging Cross-National Divides. The Filipino leader should mobilize other nations in the Pacific Rim to look into essential issues facing developed and developing countries. The Filipino Leader should assert that the countries within APEC should holistically look into the situation of the region so as to able identify areas convergence to ensure greater economic equity outside of present approaches of multi-national corporations and business organizations. The Filipino leader should be able to rally the Pacific Rim countries to adopt clear outcomes like the Millennium Development Goal and collectively be accountable for it. This will rationalize existing trade relations and agreements. ~oOo~