Mosaic Taiwan, an international fellowship program organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, got underway June 11 in Taipei City, bringing together 30 aspiring leaders and students from North America to learn more about the country.
 
During the opening ceremony, MOFA Deputy Minister Kelly Wu-chiao Hsieh said the flagship initiative is an invaluable platform for highly motivated and talented young people to develop a deeper understanding of Taiwan’s culture, economy, history and society.
 
Cross-cultural exchanges build lasting bonds of friendship and are a tremendous source of inspiration, Hsieh said. This is especially true in the field of international affairs, where such experiences deliver win-win dividends for individuals and society, he added.
 
According to Hsieh, it is the MOFA’s most sincere wish that this year’s participants seize every opportunity to discover as much as they can about Taiwan. Taking home a balanced and informed snapshot of the country and its place in the Indo-Pacific and broader world is key, he said.
 
Echoing Hsieh’s remarks, participant Hunter Marston—a Southeast Asian affairs specialist with a Washington-headquartered think tank—said the program is a unique chance for the opinion shapers of tomorrow to gain in-depth knowledge of Taiwan government policies. The New Southbound Policy is of real interest given its impact on regional affairs, he added.
 
A key plank in the government’s national development strategy, the NSP aims to deepen Taiwan’s ties with the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states, six South Asian countries, Australia and New Zealand in fields spanning agriculture, business, culture, education, tourism and trade.
 
Mosaic Taiwan was launched in 2014 for students and professionals aged 20-35. The two-week program features seminars and workshops, visits with academic, private and public sector representatives, and trips to some of the country’s most important cultural, historic and tourist sites. (SFC-E)