As the Philippine Embassy continues to embark on its public diplomacy to promote greater understanding and solidarity with the wider communities in New Zealand, Ambassador Virginia H. Benavidez joined the panel discussion 0rganized by the Zonta Club of Wellington at the KPMG on 28 July 2015. Together with H.E. Leonora Rueda, Ambassador of Mexico, they shared the highlights of their careers in their respective diplomatic service, the challenges and opportunities they faced in carrying out their roles and responsibilities, advice to a woman or a young girl thinking of pursuing a career in diplomacy and perspectives on global challenges of today.

Ms. Cathie MacGregor excellently moderated the discussions and the open forum from the Zonta members and guests who included students from the Victoria University of Wellington. Ambassador Benavidez thanked the Zonta Club of Wellington for the wonderful and valuable opportunity to highlight career defining moments in serving the Philippines and the Filipino people in accordance with the three pillars of Philippine political, economic and service diplomacy, share the utmost importance of diplomats as peace builders, peace makers and peace keepers in the midst of an increasingly complex, challenging, volatile and unstable world and the foreign service as a country’s window to the world and present the common challenges to world peace and regional security especially those relating to maritime areas with emphasis on rules based and peaceful settlement of disputes, climate change, disaster risk reduction and poverty reduction, migration and the protection of women and children and women as key contributors to inclusive growth in the Asia Pacific region.

It was a meaningful and memorable evening with Philippine Ambassador Benavidez and Mexican Ambassador Rueda and the Zonta Club of Wellington putting the spotlight on the advancement and empowerment of women in the local, regional and international arenas. Dr. Jan Pearson, President of Zonta Club of Wellington conveyed deep appreciation to Ambassador Benavidez and Ambassador Rueda for participating in the panel and supporting the programmes and activities for service and advocacy for women.