MOFA leadership program for Asia-Pacific youths wraps up in Taipei

2018/11/27

The 2018 Taiwan Study Camp for Future Leaders from the Asia-Pacific Region wrapped up Nov. 22 in Taipei City, underscoring the government’s commitment to strengthening mutual understanding and people-to-people connections with diplomatic allies and like-minded partners.
 
 Organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the 10-day program offered participants a deeper understanding of the nation’s political, economic, social and cultural development. They learned about issues spanning Taiwan’s democracy, green industries, health care system, international humanitarian aid initiatives and trade policies through lectures and visits to state-backed institutions.
 
 The young leaders explored local efforts to combat climate change by touring the Institute of Earth Sciences and Research Center for Environmental Changes at Academia Sinica, Taiwan’s foremost research organization. They similarly visited Taoyuan District Agricultural Research and Extension Station under the Cabinet-level Council of Agriculture to gain an insight into the nation’s expertise in modern farming practices.
 
 Their itinerary also included stops at major cultural, historical and tourist attractions including National Palace Museum in Taipei City, Taichung World Flora Exposition in central Taiwan, and Zhaishan Tunnel in outlying Kinmen County.
 
 Speaking at the closing ceremony, MOFA Deputy Minister Kelly Wu-chiao Hsieh said the program aims to deepen the bonds of friendship with allies and like-minded partners throughout the region, as well as enhance international awareness of the nation’s beauty and diversity.
 
 Hsieh expressed hope that going forward, the participants will serve as goodwill ambassadors and help foster opportunities for mutually beneficial collaboration with their home countries.
 
 According to the MOFA, this year’s camp was attended by 86 young professionals from allies Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu, as well as 13 like-minded nations including Australia, Indonesia, India, New Zealand, Singapore and South Korea.

Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/news.php?unit=2&post=146009)