The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) is inviting Filipino youth around the world to take part in its Youth Leaders in Diaspora (YouLeaD) program, a cultural immersion initiative designed to help young migrants rediscover their roots and strengthen their identity as Filipinos.
“For our overseas Filipino youth, it is imperative that they are made aware of the other half of who they are and why they should be proud that they are Filipino,” said CFO Secretary Dante “Klink” Ang II.
This year’s YouLeaD will be held in December 2025, coinciding with the summer season in the Southern Hemisphere, and will cater to Filipino youth in Australia. The program will combine lectures on Philippine history and language with guided tours of historic and scenic locations. Participants will also have the chance to interact with Filipino students, public officials, and indigenous communities, as well as take part in local cultural festivities for a truly immersive experience.
Ang said the CFO plans to work with the Philippine diplomatic post in Australia to deliver the module, aiming to “provide the future leaders of the Filipino diaspora with an avenue to learn from various resource persons, build networks, and ignite their passion for Filipino culture and heritage.”
Last October, the CFO partnered with the Philippine Embassy in Seoul and the United Filipinos in Korea to host 25 Filipino-Korean youth in the Philippines. The participants explored historical sites, joined recreational activities, and sampled traditional Filipino dishes to better understand their cultural heritage.
The program traces its beginnings to the CFO’s Lakbay-Aral Program launched in 1983 and has since evolved into YouLeaD in 2013. To date, it has held 17 editions—three of which were virtual during the pandemic—benefiting a total of 420 participants from various countries and territories.
The program is open to overseas Filipino youth aged 16 to 25. Registration costs approximately US$850, covering accommodations, meals, and activity fees. Interested participants may contact the YouLeaD Secretariat at youlead@cfo.gov.ph or pmd@cfo.gov.ph for more details.
