Taiwan taps potential of immigrant community

2014-11-21

Taiwan’s immigrant community is an invaluable human resource and the government is stepping up efforts to better incorporate the skills and talents of its members into society, according to Deputy Minister of the Interior Chen Chwen-jing Nov. 19.

“The immigrant population in Taiwan exceeded 1 million as of October this year,” Chen said. “Such cultural and ethnic diversity is a valuable asset for Taiwan that must be harnessed.”

Chen made the remarks at the International Conference on Immigration Policy staged in Taipei City by the Ministry of the Interior in conjunction with locally based Cathay Charity Foundation. Over 180 experts and scholars from home and abroad discussed such issues as ease of living, environmental friendliness and social innovation.

According to the deputy minister, the growing new immigrant demographic has instilled fresh momentum in Taiwan’s development and brought about structural change in society. “The government will work toward enhancing Taiwan’s competitiveness in the global arena by capitalizing on the immense potential presented by the multicultural and multilingual immigrant population,” he said.

In addition, Chen said the MOI is strengthening education and cultivation of second-generation immigrant youth on the basis of the New Immigrants Torch Program. “This interministerial undertaking is aimed at providing support for citizens through targeted programs and reallocation of resources.

“By pooling government resources we are creating a climate conducive to helping these citizens play an instrumental role in Taiwan’s international development.”

Two outstanding examples of new immigrants making their way in local society, the deputy minister said, are Myanmar-born director Midi Zhao, whose film “Ice Poison” was chosen to represent Taiwan in the Best Foreign Language Film category at next year’s Academy Awards, and internationally acclaimed sand painting artist Yan Jun-jie.

“Both of these new arrivals have made invaluable contributions by enriching the nation’s cultural experience with their unique backgrounds,” he said. “The ministry will assist more immigrants in being all they can be.”

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=224295&CtNode=413)