Launching & Inauguration
February 19, 2008
1:00-4:00 p.m
Conrado Benitez Hall
PWU Manila

The Helena Z Benitez School of International Relations and Diplomacy is inspired by PWU alumna and Board of Trustees Chairperson Dr. Helena Z Benitez, whose lifelong career and enduring legacy in the field has been a great source of pride for the University.

The world is getting smaller. Globalization and the fast-paced changes in commerce, culture and arts, education, and the way people live today have effected the development of a boardless society.

The HZB SIRD offers education aimed to increase the professional and work qualification of students and practitioners intending a career in foreign Service, as well as International Relations in both government and the private sector. The PWU Brand of Education develops in students love for heritage, respect for diversity, professional ethics and technical competence---invaluable traits for global citizenship, all eminently personified by Ambassador Helena Z Benitez.

Born at a time when young women were considered only to be seen, not heard and were reared to take their special place in the home, Helena Z Benitez has exceeded all boundaries on what women can do. She has broken new ground and has sown seeds of development here at home and abroad. One such concept which was yet unheard of at the time is “sustainable development”, for which she devoted a good part of her life.

"Mondays at Mira-Nila" provides insights into the thoughts and opinions of Dr. Benitez as they evolved and were experienced over the almost nine decades of her life as educator, civil society leader, women's advocate, legislator, stateswoman, diplomat, environmental pioneer, and nationalist.