Tzu Chi hosts ‘Lunch and Learn’ for UN official, NGO leaders

Ruhimat “Pak Rony” Soerakoesoemah, head of Subregional Office for South-East Asia at United Nations ESCAP (Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific), met with Tzu Chi Philippines volunteers and representatives of local non-government organizations in a casual and informative “Lunch and Learn,” hosted by Tzu Chi on November 12 at the Unity Hall of Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus (BTCC), Sta. Mesa, Manila.

With SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) and Asia-Pacific forums coming up, the UN officer was in town “to find partnerships and work on what is of mutual interest for the communities and organizations” and “to share our knowledge and best practices with others.”

“That’s why I’m here: to meet and engage with all of you,” he said. “The work of ESCAP under the broader UN is to learn about how other organizations, whether they be civil society organizations or the private sector, can contribute to the global agenda and concern.”

Prior to the networking lunch, Tzu Chi volunteers led Pak Rony to a guided tour around BTCC. Stopovers at Harmony Hall, Jing Si Hall, the wooden cabin, Jing Si Abode, and the free clinic at Synergy Hall gave him a glimpse of Tzu Chi’s rich histories in the Philippines and Taiwan as well as its core missions.

Back at the Unity Hall, he listened with great interest at the sharings of Arabella Fernandez from Caritas Philippines Inc., Tahirih Bello and Isabelo Manganaan from National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahais of the Philippines Inc., Michael Bismar from Asmae Philippines, Benjamin Abadiano from Assisi Development Foundation Inc., Dianna Jean Cruz from Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation, Jihad Navarro from Association for the Rights of Children in Southeast Asia, Maricon Sagayno from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity, Mark Anthony Dasco from Childfund Philippines, and James Gregor Asuelo from Asian Network for Sustainable Development Inc.  

Noting how the UN is always on the lookout for partners who can contribute to discussions and elevate issues to the highest level, Pak Rony encouraged the group to share their unique stories of resilience and success, as the world sees this side of the globe as an invaluable source of ideas and strategies.

“I’m always trying to promote Southeast Asia,” he said. “Other regions and subregions are looking to Southeast Asia for stories and collaborations. We have a lot to contribute and give.”