Presbyterian Peacemaking Program Travel Study Seminar to and Hong Kong Root Causes and Current Challenges of Forced Migration and Labor Trafficking February 3-17, 2023

The following general itinerary and schedule is provided to give those interested an idea of the travel study seminar content. All items are subject to change.

DAY 0 – Friday, February 3 • Travel from US to the Philippines

DAY 1 – Saturday, February 4 • Arrival in the Philippines and rest/recovery and team building • Overnight stay in Quezon City

DAY 2 – Sunday, February 5 • Worship service at UCCP local church • After worship, open discussion with families of migrants and former migrants

DAY 3 – Monday, February 6 • Visit UCCP national office o Introduction to UCCP historical and contemporary ministry context • National human rights situationer, including migrants situationer with Migrante International and Churches Witnessing with Migrants (CWWM) o Overview about forced migration and human trafficking o Hear testimonies of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families • Overnight stay in Quezon City

DAY 4 – Tuesday, February 7 • Visit Intramuros, including Fort Santiago and Jose Rizal Museum o Intro to Spanish, American and Japanese history of the Philippines • Drive to City (approx. 4 hours travel time) • Dinner and debriefing • Overnight stay in Baguio City (Peace Center)

DAY 5 – Wednesday, February 8 • Visit UCCP North Luzon Jurisdictional Area offices o Orientation and historical overview of external/internal forces of change (colonialism/capitalism) • Invite Regional Ecumenical Council of Cordillera (RECCORD) and Cordillera People’s Alliance and other peacebuilding organizations o Understand root causes of migration, esp. struggles of indigenous peoples and militarization of lands for mining and dams • Cultural performance • Overnight stay in Baguio City

DAY 6 – Thursday, February 9 • Visit Ucab, Beda and/or Itogon o Observe small-scale mining and learn about community development and environmental justice concerns • Visit tourist spots in Baguio City • Overnight stay in Baguio City

DAY 7 – Friday, February 10 • Visit Sapid or • Meet UCCP families of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Hong Kong • Debriefing • Overnight stay in community

DAY 8 – Saturday, February 11 • Leave for Clark International Airport • Travel to Hong Kong and arrival

DAY 9 – Sunday, February 12 • Worship at UCCP fellowship in Hong Kong • Visit with United Filipinos in Hong Kong o Observe group’s overall outreach efforts with different migrant groups; listen to stories of foreign domestic workers • Tentative sightseeing

DAY 10 –Monday, February 13 • Orientation with Asia Pacific Mission for Migrant Workers (APMM) o Analysis and general situation about migration in Asia Pacific region • Tentative discussion with Hong Kong Christian Council o Discuss linkages between migrant-serving organizations and Hong Kong churches • Visit Mission for Migrant Workers (MFMW) o Learn about origins of how churches and faith-based organizations responded and still respond to challenges of migrant workers • Tentative courtesy call with Dean of St. John’s Cathedral (Anglican Diocese of Hong Kong) • Dinner and tentative sightseeing

DAY 11 – Tuesday, February 14 • Visit Asia Migrant Coordinating Body and United Filipinos in Hong Kong o Joint activity to learn about the “migrant movement” in terms of organizing and policy reform and services for migrant workers • Debriefing • Dinner and tentative sightseeing

DAY 12 – Wednesday, February 15 • Visit Bethune House – Hear testimonies of migrant workers • Free time • Street food and shopping at Temple Night Market

DAY 13 – Thursday, February 16 • Debriefing • Travel back to US

DAY 14 – Friday, February 17 • Arrivals in US