PILP with Taiwan wraps up in Taipei

2014-11-10

Pacific Islands Leadership Program with Taiwan concluded Nov. 7 in Taipei City, showcasing Taiwan’s economic and cultural achievements while fostering stronger relations among participants.

Drawn from 13 Pacific nations, the 26 young students and professionals took part in a variety of activities like workshops and seminars during the four-week program. They also went on tours of such attractions as National Palace Museum and Sun Moon Lake.

“As a member of the Asia-Pacific, Taiwan spares no efforts in contributing to the development of the region through programs spanning education, fisheries management, medical care and renewable energy,” Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Vanessa Shih said at the closing ceremony.

“PILP with Taiwan is a perfect example of our commitment in this regard and highlights the importance of close cooperative relations between Taiwan, the U.S. and the Pacific Island nations.”

Also attending the ceremony were ambassadors to the ROC of Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau and Tuvalu, representative to Taiwan of Fiji, charge d'affaires of the Solomon Islands, as well as AIT Director Christopher Marut.

Alatina Ioelu from Samoa said robust exchanges with members of Taiwan’s leading academic, private and public sector institutions during the program paved the way for a new approach to longstanding challenges in the region.

Echoing Ioelu’s remarks, Mona Giheno from Papua New Guinea said PILP with Taiwan opened her eyes to see the value of hard work and perseverance. “People are the greatest assets and I will use what I learned to change my country for the better.”

Co-hosted with East-West Center in the U.S., PILP with Taiwan is in its second year and aims to produce 125 young leaders across the region skilled in leadership and building cooperation by 2017.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=223840&CtNode=413)