Last November 11-12, 2022, the Miriam College Department of International Studies co-organized the 2022 PHISO (Philippine International Studies Organization) Exploratory Workshop with the theme titled “Where is Southeast Asia in International Relations”. Attended by 40 IR scholars and advanced students, the workshop probes to locate Southeast Asia within contemporary IR discourses. Paper presentations provided the intersections of IR with other disciplines in the study of Southeast Asia, particularly ruminating over how Southeast Asian studies decolonize IR theory and practice. Topics cover the regional and indigenous worldviews, contemporary geopolitics, Philippine foreign affairs, finance and the economy, cultural diplomacy, religion and IR, and gender and feminism.

A discussion on “Of Women and Femverts: How Neoliberalism Sells (Post) Feminism in Southeast Asia” was also put on the table during the event which was led by IS faculty (Ms. Lorna Israel, Dr. Mel Reyes, Ms. Bing Fortin), IS alumni (Ms. Stefani Velasco and Mr. Vince Andre Sabellon), and Atty. Archill Capistrano of UP Cebu. Other IS faculty members - Dr. Nassef Adiong, Mr. Kebart Licayan, Mr. Aron Garchitorena, Mr. James Catudan, Ms. Jona Villasante, and Mr. Noel Del Castillo served as moderators and discussants during the event.

This workshop is focused on the presentations of completed and/or working researches and papers aimed for publications.