After living and travelling to some of the world’s most influential cities, career diplomat Stacy Danika Alcantara became fascinated with the role that cities play in shaping global affairs. She realized that as cities grow in influence and power, it is high time for cities to create their own foreign policy, to take a seat at the global negotiation table, and to play a leading role in shaping the future humanity aspires for. Stacy Danika Alcantara is a career diplomat from the Office of Public Diplomacy of the Department of Foreign Affairs. She is passionate about telling the story of the Philippines to the world and has spearheaded and developed innovative projects in the public and media affairs division. Prior to joining the DFA, Stacy worked for major multinational corporations such as Unilever and Mondelez. She holds a bachelor's degree in Mass Communication from Silliman University (graduating Summa cum Laude) and has earned graduate credits in Social Psychology from the University of San Carlos and negotiation, world politics, and trade from the Geneva School of Diplomacy. In the last 2013 and 2014 Foreign Service Officer's Exam, she ranked first in her batch. In 2009, she was one of the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines. Stacy is passionate about travel, photography, fashion, and politics--in that order. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx