Invitation to a public forum on national industrialization from AGHAM — Industrialization is a key factor in developing the Philippine economy, which, for several decades, has remained agrarian and pre-industrial. Establishing industries will also propel the country’s science, technology and innovation capacities.

President Rodrigo Duterte’s promise to establish industries, particularly steel manufacturing industry, is a much hailed gesture. International experience suggests that the development of backward economies through a domestic industrialization policy require a strong and committed state leadership.

But the public must realize that genuine change does not fall off an apple tree. Progress and change will never materialize without the people’s support and clamor. There is a need for scientists, engineers, students, peasants, and workers to amplify their demands for a genuine change we need—national industrialization.

It is in this context that AGHAM humbly invites you to participate in the forum entitled The Change We Need: A public forum on National Industrialization. This will be held on September 14, 2016 (1-5PM) at the College of Engineering Auditorium, University of the Philippines Diliman. IBON co-sponsors this event.