Eco Warriors of the World

Community
Jun 5
7 min read

European Network of Filipino Diaspora addresses migrant behaviors that impact the environment

by Aieshah Balmori, ENFiD - Czech Republic

ENFiD Board of Directors with Iceland President, Halla Tómasdóttir — *ENFiD Board of Directors with Iceland President,* *Halla Tómasdóttir*

ENFiD, The European Network of Filipino Diaspora, successfully held its 11th Annual General Assembly (AGA) from April 24 to 26, 2025 in Reykjavik. Delegates from 13 European countries came together to discuss how the Filipino diaspora in Europe can influence migrant behaviors that impact the environment.

In her book, “The Filipino Migration Experience,“ Mina Roces mapps out how the Filipino diaspora acts as global agents of change. With 10 million Filipinos overseas, the diaspora has influenced trends in the Philippines and made an impact on policies in their host countries. Every year, ENFiD uses its Annual General Assembly as the impetus for Filipinos in Europe to make their voices heard and steer the migrant conversation in Europe.

On April 16, an online AGA preceded the face-to-face conference in Iceland. In the e-AGA, member countries reported on their activities in the past year. Plans for the coming year were also unveiled. Clarifications regarding the constitutional amendments and country representations were also discussed.

AGA Theme: Sustainable Development

In Reykjavik, Iceland, formal activities started with the ENFiD Board of Directors paying a courtesy call on Halla Tómasdóttir, Iceland's President, presenting token gifts from ENFiD member countries. The President emphasized how Filipinos have contributed to Icelandic society, and revealed that after speaking to the developer of a language app, was told that Filipinos are fast learners of the Icelandic language, “I was told that Filipinos embrace language learning with joy and enthusiasm.

A community mass was celebrated at the Basilica of Christ the King. followed by a welcome dinner hosted by ENFiD Iceland. Delegates met and bond with each other, many of them, meeting for the first time.

The next day was an organized excursion, guided by Hannes Þorsteinsson and Jared Almacen, along Iceland’s renowned Golden Circle, visiting the Gullfoss waterfall, Laugarvatn Fontana, the geothermal area of Geysir, and the historically significant Þingvellir National Park and Kerið Crater. This immersive tour was organized so that delegates can appreciate the power of Icelandic nature and how the country leads in sustainable development, this year's theme for the AGA.

Images (left to right): (1) ENFiD 2025 AGA Delegates photo, (2) ENFiD-Czech Republic Poland Finland at Kretid Volcano, (3) ENFiD Groupie in Geysir

Conference Day, April 26th

Representatives from 13 countries—Austria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom—along with special guests from Poland, Finland and the Netherlands, attended. The conference was opened with a formal ceremony led by ENFiD Iceland’s director, Marvi Gil, and ENFiD Adviser and ENFiD-Austria´s Chairperson Marizel Rojas who joined in facilitating the conference flow.

Patrick Clairzier, keynote speaker, is an experienced social science scholar currently teaching international relations and law at CY Cergy Paris Université, the Université Paris-Panthéon-Assas, and the American Graduate School in Paris. Clairzier talked about how migration and climate change interact. Clairzier underscored the vital role of overseas Filipinos as catalysts for sustainability, impacting local and global communities through their transnational ties.

Marison Rodriguez, ENFiD Chairperson, reflected on the network’s milestones over the past year, the triumphs the Filipino diaspora achieved across Europe, and the continued relevance of ENFiD’s mission in the context of global change. In alignment with the conference theme, “Filipino Diaspora: Eco Warriors of the World,” Rodriguez expressed appreciation for the opportunity to witness Iceland’s natural beauty, stating, “We are equally grateful for the chance to experience Iceland’s breathtaking natural wonders through the tour along the Golden Circle. As eco warriors of the world, this journey is a powerful reminder of our responsibility to protect and preserve the beauty of our planet—not just for ourselves, but for generations to come.”

ENFiD Today highlighted core programs: Diaspora to Dialogue (D2D), Center of

*AGA Host and ENFiD Director Marvi Gil (ENFiD Iceland)*

Excellence (CoE), Youth Changemakers Forum, and the Annual General Assemblies and conferences. Rodriguez also presented two key priority projects for the year: The revamp of the ENFiD website and the creation of a coffee table book celebrating the diaspora experience. These 4 programs are fully aligned with ENFiD‘s core values:

(1) Promoting movements and building networks (Pagtataguyod ng Kilusan at Ugnayan);

(2) Advancing community spirit, unity, and collective dialogue (Pagsulong ng Bayanihan at Buklod-talakayan); and

(3) Cultivation of Practices, Values, and Knowledge (Paglinang ng mga Gawi, Pagpapahalaga at Kaalaman).

Looking ahead, she shared ENFiD’s upcoming calendar of events across member countries. These included community festivals, D2D sessions, the Center of Excellence launch at the UN in Vienna in August 2025, the Youth Change Makers Forum 2.0 in February 2026 and the 12th ENFiD Annual General Assembly in Switzerland in Autumn 2026.

Rodriguez emphasized the power of unity, cultural identity, and diaspora engagement in responding to today’s most pressing issues, particularly climate action, youth, and intergenerational involvement.

The program continued with Ragnheiður “Ragga” Bjarman Eiriksdóttir, who shared her insights on how climate change can affect personal and social relationships. She offered a comparative reflection on Icelandic and Filipino relationship dynamics, noting Iceland’s emphasis on independence and the Philippine’s strong family-centered values. Ragga was back by popular demand after she gave a similarly engaging talk on intercultural relationships in Iceland’s 2024 Diaspora to Dialogue.

Momentum carried on for the screening of “Proud Pinoy, Citizen of the World,” a reels competition featuring creative video entries from each ENFiD country. The audience was invited to vote for their favorites, with the Czech Republic securing third place, the UK in second, and Cyprus as the winner.

Participants broke out in sessions to co-create a collective Eco-Warrior Pledge in articulating their shared commitment to environmental sustainability as migrants and members of the global Filipino community. Each participating country presented their own version of the pledge, reflecting local realities and shared aspirations.

The moment highlighted the diversity of the ENFiD network while uniting everyone under a common purpose: To be eco warriors in action, wherever they are in the world.

Gene Alcantara, ENFiD’s First Chairperson, concluded the Conference with closing remarks, commending the network’s progress and inspiring delegates to carry forward the momentum built during the assembly. He also reminded everyone to exercise their right to vote in the upcoming Philippine national elections and to inform the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) that the Filipino community abroad is well aware and actively engaged in the democratic process.

In the evening, delegates gathered for the much-anticipated ENFiD Gala night, and the 60th birthday celebration for Evelyn Tagalog, ENFiD Director and ENFiD-Iceland Country Representative. Held at FI Salurinn, the event echoed the spirit of bayanihan that binds the Filipino diaspora—from food, fashion, and music, to laughter-filled tributes and spontaneous performances.

One of the highlights during the Gala night was the presentation of the European Diaspora Impact Award 2025. The awards were presented by Christian Estrada, ENFiD adviser, former ENFiD Chairperson, and the head of the European award-giving body, to individuals whose exceptional service and leadership have made a lasting impact on the Filipino diaspora community. The awardees are as follows:

(1) Edwin Dela Cruz: A trailblazer in nursing education and development, Edwin has led transformative initiatives to uplift Filipino healthcare professionals in the UK, blending compassion with strategic leadership.

(2) Dr. Unnur Dís Skaptadóttir: Through her groundbreaking studies, Dr. Skaptadóttir has deepened public understanding of the Filipino experience in Iceland, influencing policies and fostering cultural inclusion. Her research resulted in practical changes in the reception of Filipino nurses and an understanding of why transnational practices are important even if Filipino families have settled in Iceland.

(3) Ester Beatty: As Chair of Federation of Filipino Organizations in Cyprus (FFOC), Ester has been a powerful advocate for the welfare and rights of Filipino migrant workers in Cyprus. Her leadership in community mobilization and human rights advocacy has brought critical attention to the challenges faced by overseas Filipinos, inspiring both action and solidarity. Their exemplary contributions continue to inspire and set a benchmark for diaspora engagement and community empowerment.

The night concluded with the ceremonial handover to Switzerland, the next ENFiD AGA host country, signaling the close of an unforgettable gathering and the beginning of preparations for the next chapter in ENFiD’s journey.

Images (left to right): (1) ENFiD Adviser Marizel Rojas and Director Sarah Jozelle Rojas (ENFiD-Austria), (2) Director Gina Solano Hardy with jacket made by Norwegian-Filipina designer Mayeth Codoy presented to the President of Iceland, Halla Tómasdóttir as a gift, (3) ENFiD Chair and ENFiD AGA Hosts

ENFiD Facts

The European Network of Filipino Diaspora (ENFiD) was formed in September 2012 during a Dialogue-to-Diaspora (D2D) event in Rome, Italy, organized by the Global Filipino Diaspora Council, the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), and the Philippine Embassy in Italy. Today, ENFiD continues to champion its flagship program, Diaspora to Dialogue (D2D)—a platform fostering meaningful conversations and deeper engagement among Filipino communities across Europe. To date, 11 D2D events have been held in various cities, strengthening connections and collaborative action within the diaspora. The D2D 12.0 will be on 27 June 2025 in Halden Norway with the Philippine Embassy in Oslo, Kalayaan Norge Østfold, and ENFiD-Norge.

In 2023, the number of country representatives for each ENFiD member country increased from one to two. As a result, all nominated representatives now hold director positions within ENFiD. With 12 member countries, this has expanded the Board of Directors to 24 members—making it the largest in ENFiD’s history as of 2025.

ENFiD Leadership

Board of Directors: Chairperson: Marison Rodriguez, Czech Republic; Vice-Chairperson: Jeffrey Morales, Germany; Secretary: Ana Bel Mayo, Italy; Assistant Secretary: Maribel Favor, United Kingdom; Treasurer: Annie Estricomen, France; Assistant Treasurer: Menchu Villegas, Italy; Public Relations Officer: Marvi Gil, Iceland; Auditor: Sarah Andrea Banaag, Switzerland

Board Members: Sarah Jozelle Rojas, Austria; Darren Casuga, Austria; Ester Beatty, Cyprus; Valerie Badilla, Cyprus; Emmylou Petrova, Czech Republic; Rafaelito Gomez, France; Dorie Reyes Polocziek, Germany; Carmelina Tolentino, Hungary; Cyron Agustin, Hungary; Evelyn Rojas Tagalog, Iceland; Menchu Villegas, Italy; Florisa de Jesus , Malta; Carl Julius Cabrera, Malta; Gina Sollano Hardy, Norway; Maria Roled, Norway; Marcelina Manalo-Emert, Switzerland; Leny Oanes, United Kingdom

Program Heads: Diaspora-to-Dialogue (D2D): Jeffrey Morales; Center of Excellence (CoE): Valerie Badilla; Youth Change Makers Forum: Marison Rodriguez; Annual General Assembly & Conference: Host Country