Mosaic Taiwan, an international youth leadership program organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, kicked off May 31 in Taipei City, bringing together 29 young students and professionals from Canada and the U.S. to experience the country’s culture, economy, history and society.
 
During the opening ceremony, MOFA Minister David Tawei Lee said the program is an outstanding opportunity for participants to immerse themselves in a new culture while carefully observing and reflecting upon the differences, citing his personal experience as a participant in the East Asia Student Leader project sponsored by the U.S. Department of State in 1972.
 
This program will help participants think more deeply in terms of career and life-long goals, Lee said, urging the students and young professionals to “open their eyes, hearts and minds” to everything they will see in Taiwan.
 
Echoing Lee’s remarks, Mario Ste-Marie, executive director of the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei, said the program is a first-class idea and effective way to foster cross-border connections and long-term friendships. Taiwan is Asia’s best-kept secret and a real success story, St-Marie said, inviting participants to share their experiences after returning home.
 
Equally bullish on the program was Alys Spensley, director of the American Center of the American Institute in Taiwan. She called on the students and young professionals to explore and experience Taiwan, engage in exchanges with the locals and educate their compatriots about Taiwan after the program finishes.
 
Participant Andrew Steele, who holds a master’s degree in politics from Georgetown University and works for the U.S. Department of Commerce, is visiting Taiwan for the first time. As a young professional in Washington, Steele said it is important he understands how Taiwan—an important U.S. partner in the Asia-Pacific—views its relationship with his country.
 
Such first-hand knowledge will be instrumental in enabling the department to better assist U.S. firms expand their reach in this part of the world, he added.
 
Also making her inaugural trip to Taiwan, Nadine Oliver from Canada said the country is under-appreciated in North America. It is expected this program will provide greater perspective and direction on how to heighten awareness of Taiwan among the people of Canada and the U.S., she said.
 
Launched in 2014 for students and professionals aged 20-35, the two-week program features seminars, workshops and visits with representatives of the academic, private and public sectors, as well as trips to many of Taiwan’s important cultural, historic and tourist sites. (SFC-E)