In an era of globalization, the increasing Filipino diaspora as well as the growing importance of the Philippines in regional and global affairs have raised international interest in the study of the Philippines—of its culture, language, history, state, and economy. As a result, foreign academic institutions, some spearheaded by Filipinos, have established platforms that advance education and research on the Philippines and promote intercultural understanding and policy dialogue on common issues among overseas Philippine and migrant or second-generation communities.

These Philippine Studies initiatives include establishing minor and major specializations in Philippine Studies, associate degrees, and certificate programs, research centers as well as Filipiniana materials repository and databanks. These endeavors emphasize the significance of Filipino representation and Philippine contributions to the development of multicultural communities and promoting heritage connections among people.

To build on the gains from these initiatives, the UP Asian Center in partnership with the Office of Cultural Diplomacy of the Department of Foreign Affairs is organizing the International Conference on Philippines Studies, Dialogo: Philippines Studies Goes Global. The conference aims to bring together the different Philippine Studies Programs abroad, on the one hand, and the academic and research programs on and in the Philippines, on the other hand.