Taiwan strengthens family foundations in NSP country Myanmar

2020/01/31

Taiwan is successfully sharing its nongovernmental organization expertise with New Southbound Policy target countries such as Myanmar in areas spanning education, environmental protection, humanitarian aid, medical assistance and public health.
 
 A key plank in the government’s national development strategy, NSP is enhancing 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.
 
 Scott Lai, director-general of the Department of NGO International Affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Taiwan is home to about 90,000 nongovernmental organizations. Many have a global outlook as evidenced by the more than 400 cooperation projects underway overseas, he added.

 According to Lai, via advancing welfare and contributing knowledge, nongovernmental organizations play a crucial role in raising Taiwan’s international profile. The activities of these unsung soft power heroes are an effective form of diplomacy, he said.
 
 Each year, the MOFA offers financial and technical assistance to help Taiwan nongovernmental organizations grow a global footprint. Taipei City-headquartered Zhi-Shan Foundation’s cooperation project in Myanmar is made possible through such support.
 
 ZSF has launched a community-based early childhood care and development project in Myanmar’s Mandalay region over the past two years in collaboration with the local division of global nonprofit Plan International.
 
 The two groups have set up a trio of day care centers for children aged 3 and under. They also partner in organizing workshops for parents, teachers and volunteers on topics like educational tools, play materials and teaching strategies.

According to ZSF Chief Executive Officer Jay Hung, Myanmar has the highest infant and child mortality rate in Southeast Asia largely due to inadequate medical services and poor public health knowledge. In view of its focus on early childhood development and education, the foundation recognized an opportunity to demonstrate Taiwan Can Help.
 
 The country has substantial expertise in delivering preschool programs, and we want to spread this know-how far and wide, Hung said. Early intervention can significantly improve development trajectories, making child care support one of the most cost-efficient human capital investments, he added.

Programs offered explain hygiene and nutrition concepts so families are better informed. According to ZSF, over 2,000 parents and community volunteers have used the child care centers and participated in the workshops to date.
 
 Hung sees ZSF achieving even more in Myanmar going forward on the back of assistance provided by the MOFA, as well as Taiwan citizens and enterprises. The partnership with the ministry has enabled us to deliver more effective services, and we look forward to further deepening our collaborative relationship, he added.

Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)