The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is set to hold the 2023 NGO Leaders Forum Nov. 17 in Taipei City. (MOFA)
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is set to stage the 2023 NGO Leaders Forum Nov. 17 in Taipei City, spotlighting the international achievements of Taiwan’s government agencies and nongovernmental organizations and providing a platform for NGOs to collaborate with the public sector.
Titled “Allied by Universal Values: Strengthening Partnerships Between Taiwan’s Government, NGOs and Global Civil Society,” this year’s event will emphasize how Taiwan—which stands on the front line in the fight against authoritarian expansion—stands firm in safeguarding the universal values of democracy, freedom and respect for human rights.
Since 2020, the MOFA has been assisting major international NGOs to set up branch offices in Taiwan, and these offices are cooperating with local counterparts to launch projects spanning gender equality, open parliaments, the war against disinformation and youth empowerment.
According to the ministry, special invitations were extended to Dr. Liberato Bautista, president of the Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations, and Denise Scotto of the International Federation of Women in Legal Careers to share their views with NGO leaders from home and abroad, as well as representatives from the public and corporate sectors.
The meeting will open with keynote speeches by Bautista and Scotto, followed by symposiums addressing how to strengthen democratic alliances and values, as well as how to encourage diverse partnerships that promote society and youth inclusion.
Representatives from local and international NGOs such as Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom and Freedom House will also discuss ways to deepen links between Taiwan’s NGOs and the international community.
Launched in 2020 by the MOFA’s Department of NGO International Affairs, the forum aims to boost cooperation and exchanges between the government, businesses and civic groups from around the world. (POC-E)
