Wesleyan University-Philippines (WUP) proudly represented the Philippines at the PILnet Global Forum on Public Interest Lawyering from November 11-13, 2025, held at the Hotel Villa Pamphili Roma, Via della Nocetta, Rome, Italy. The prestigious international gathering brought together leading academics, practitioners, and advocates from around the world to advance the global movement for public interest law, pro bono service, and access to justice.

WUP, through Atty. Darren J. Gonzales, Associate Dean of the John Wesley School of Law and Governance, stood as the only Philippine law school with representation at the Forum. Atty. Gonzales also served as the sole Filipino delegate, marking a proud milestone for both the University and the Philippine legal education community.

In connection with the Global Forum, Atty. Gonzales participated in the Legal Clinics Meeting, a side event held at the Aula Magna of the Department of Law, Roma Tre University. The meeting gathered representatives from universities in Italy, Hungary, and Hong Kong to explore how university-based legal aid clinics can strengthen access to justice and promote socially engaged legal education.

“This was both a humbling and inspiring experience,” shared Atty. Darren. “Being the only Filipino and representing Wesleyan and our country in this global dialogue reaffirmed how vital it is for our law schools to engage internationally—sharing our perspectives and learning from others who share the same mission of justice and service.”

The Forum’s sessions tackled urgent global concerns in public interest lawyering, such as the criminalization of dissent, the weaponization of laws, and the defense of human rights and civic spaces. One of the key themes was environmental justice, emphasizing the protection of environmental defenders and the role of pro bono and clinical legal work in confronting these pressing challenges.

During the Forum, Atty. Gonzales reconnected with Atty. Czarina Musni, a fellow Filipino lawyer and one of the panelists in the session “Threats Faced by Environmental Lawyers and Boosting Protection.” Atty. Musni, a member of the Union of Peoples’ Lawyers in Mindanao (UPLM) and the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL), is currently based in Europe as part of the International Committee of the International Coalition of Human Rights in the Philippines – Europe Chapter. Her reflections on the perils faced by environmental lawyers in the Philippines offered a powerful Filipino contribution to the global discussion.

“It was both a joy and a moment of pride to meet another Filipino in this international space,” Atty. Darren said. “Atty. Musni’s courage and advocacy embody the spirit of public interest lawyering we strive to instill in our students at Wesleyan—lawyering with purpose, grounded in integrity and service.”

The Forum also provided fertile ground for collaboration and partnership. Atty. Gonzales engaged with Silvia Quirós Espinoza, Global Pro Bono Coordinator of Dentons, the world’s largest law firm; Xiaojun Wang, Executive Director of People of Asia for Climate Solutions (PACS); and Betsy Apple, Executive Director of Global Climate Legal Defense (CliDef). These exchanges open promising pathways for future partnerships with Wesleyan’s Legal Aid Clinic, particularly in the fields of climate justice, environmental law, and global pro bono initiatives.

Through these engagements, Wesleyan University-Philippines is preparing to participate in the Green Legal Aid Clinics Network, a national initiative integrating environmental and climate justice advocacy into clinical legal education.

Atty. Gonzales expressed his profound gratitude to our University President Dr. Irineo G. Alvaro, Jr., whose vision of a globally engaged and socially responsible Wesleyan continues to guide the University’s international initiatives. He also extended appreciation to VPAA Wilfredo C. Ramos, VPAP Gladys P. Mangiduyos, VPF Maritess A. Castañeda, Director for Internationalization and Linkages Rio B. Dizon, HR Director Abe Pascua, and Dean Judge Inocencio Sagun for their steadfast support and encouragement.

“Representing Wesleyan and the Philippines in this global forum is not just an honor—it’s a responsibility,” Atty. Darren concluded. “It challenges us to bring back what we’ve learned and apply it meaningfully, so that our work in legal education truly contributes to justice and transformation at home.”

Through its active engagement in international platforms like the PILnet Global Forum, Wesleyan University-Philippines continues to strengthen its role as a catalyst for justice, leadership, and innovation—elevating Philippine legal education and giving the Filipino voice a meaningful presence in the global movement for the public good.

Article and photos by Darren J. Gonzales