2013 Travel Study Seminar to the Philippines Anyone?

As many of you know, I have been travelling to the Philippines for the past few years as part of my connection with Presbtyerian Church (USA) and our partners in the Philippines, The United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP). As a 3rd Generation Filipino American, not only has this been a powerful time for me personally, but I have come to learn how much I never knew about the complexities of Philippine politics, culture and life.

Recently I have been asked to co-lead a Travel Study Seminar to the Philippines – FEBRUARY 12‒22, 2013 – where we will look at the intersections between environmental disasters and human trafficking.

Tropical storms and typhoons have increased in frequency and strength, leaving a devastating toll on the people and land of the Philippines. Natural and human disasters such as these create a crisis in livelihood and provide an opportunity for human trafficking to grow.  Human trafficking recruits, harbors, transports, provides and obtains (by any means) any person for forced labor, slavery or servitude, such as the case with sugar cane workers and domestic servants in the Philippines. – From the Travel Study Seminar info

Sponsored by the Peacemaking Program of the Presbyterian Church (USA), we will be choosing a very small group of Presbyterians who are not only interested in diving into the complexities of Filipino culture and life, but are also willing to engage in advocacy, education and ministry back here in the United States upon our return.

For more details: cost, applications, etc:

• Travel Study Seminar Webpage
• Nancy Eng MacNeill by email or at (916) 705-3501