The International Experts Lecture Series, spearheaded by the Department of International Studies of Miriam College, held another timely foreign policy discourse featuring the United States Indo-Pacific Strategy on 6 November 2020 via Zoom. This vital foreign policy was discussed by Mr. Philip Roskamp, Counselor for Public Diplomacy at the US Embassy in Manila. His lecture was overwhelmingly attended by 230 participants from local and foreign universities, different government offices, international organizations, and think tanks, among others.
Mr. Roskamp highlighted the American values that underpinned US Foreign Policies. Afterward, he explained the US Indo-Pacific Strategy elaborating on the US vision of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific and the Three Pillars of the said strategy, namely: (1) economics; (2) good governance; and (3) peace and security. Mr. Roskamp also discussed the longstanding US-Philippines relations and how the US Indo-Pacific Strategy can provide more opportunities for cooperation between the two countries.
An engaging dialogue followed as several participants threw in questions in light of the topic’s relevance to domestic and regional security. Mr. Roskamp responded to all the questions insightfully, further broadening the participants’ understanding of various issues concerning the US foreign policy. Mr. Roskamp and former Ambassador Laura Quiambao-Del Rosario, Miriam College’s President, also exchanged their ideas on key issues important for both the Philippines and the United States. The open forum concluded with a positive note and a clamor to engage with Mr. Roskamp again in the future to continue such an important and interesting foreign policy discussion.
Dr. Melanie Reyes, Chairperson of the Department of International Studies, expressed her gratitude to Mr. Roskamp for providing the participants with a strong grasp of the US Indo-Pacific Strategy. Also present at the event was Prof. Jonalyn Villasante who arranged the lecture series. Both of them are alumni of two notable US Exchange Programs—the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) and the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI). By Clarisse Johanna O. Solis