Webster University Athens Hosts Philippine Ambassador to Greece

Ambassador of the Philippines to Greece, Giovanni E. Palec (center), poses for a commemorative photo with students from Webster Athens after delivering his lecture.

Webster University Athens was pleased to host a lecture by the Philippine Ambassador to Greece, Giovanni E. Palec, early this month. The lecture, which took place as part of Webster University Athens’ Ambassador’s Forum, focused on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award concerning the South China Sea. 

The lecture took place at the Webster University Cultural Center at the Athens campus. It was attended by Webster Athens students from a range of diverse cultural backgrounds and areas of study. 

Palec’s lecture provided students with valuable insights into UNCLOS, the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea and the challenges faced by the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea. The open forum session facilitated active engagement between Palec and the students, with discussions centered on the West Philippine Sea issue. Students had the opportunity to ask questions and express their interest in Philippine history, culture, and bilateral relations between the Philippines and Greece. 

Giovanni E. Palec lectures Webster Athens students on UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea.

The occasion was highlighted by the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines, who also shared images from Palec’s lecture and his interactions with the students. 

The lecture was part of the Ambassadors’ Forum lecture series, an initiative organized by the International Relations Department at Webster University Athens. The first forum was held in 2016. Since then, it has been held annually to enrich students’ understanding of global diplomacy and international relations through visits from ambassadors and official representatives.  

The forum aims to foster intellectual discourse and global awareness while providing insights into foreign policy, international organizations, cooperation, security and bilateral/multilateral issues. The 2024 forum, which commenced on March 21, will conclude on April 25. 

Ambassador Giovanni E. Palec (left) with Rector Vasilis Botopoulos (right) inside the Cultural Center of Webster Athens on the day of the lecture.