New Southbound Policy Portal

MOFA stages youth leadership seminar in Taipei

From Taiwan Today 2020-12-30

MOFA Deputy Minister Tien Chung-kwang (center) joins youth leadership seminar participants for a celebratory dance Dec. 29 in Taipei City. (MOFA)

A seminar on challenges and opportunities for the younger generations amid COVID-19 was staged Dec. 29 in Taipei City as part of government efforts to foster the development of next-generation leaders.

Organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the event involved members of the Taiwan Diplomatic Corps, 100-plus alumni of the MOFA’s International Youth Ambassador Exchange Program and foreign college students. The latter included those from the country’s Indo-Pacific allies and New Southbound Policy target countries.

MOFA Deputy Minister Tien Chung-kwang said during his seminar opening address that coronavirus has created many difficulties for the international community. At the same time, the pandemic has highlighted Taiwan’s success in combating COVID-19 and the resilience of its people, he added.

This is a public health miracle admired worldwide, Tien said, adding that the seminar is an outstanding platform for young people from home and abroad to exchange related ideas and opinions on their changing roles in the post-pandemic era.

According to the MOFA, the seminar’s three panel sessions saw lively debate on how the youth can contribute in fields such as arts and culture, health and medical assistance, and innovation and technology. They also discussed the effectiveness of the Taiwan Model and the ways Taiwan Can Help strengthen the global response to coronavirus.

Launched in 2009, IYAEP seeks to enhance participant’s international perspectives and encourage them to broaden their horizons. More than 1,700 young talents have taken part in the initiative to date.

A key plank in the government’s national development strategy, the NSP seeks to deepen Taiwan’s agricultural, business, cultural, education, tourism and trade ties with the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states, six South Asian countries, Australia and New Zealand. (SFC-E)