In response to President Tsai's statement on “Taiwan should be the role model of international citizens, fulfill our responsibility as member of Earth, and make concrete contributions on diplomatic and global issues”, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Department of NGO International Affairs has annually carried out various training projects in order to enhance the responsive capacity and international participation of domestic NGOs and youth & students on global issues and public affairs. These projects include:
International Youth Ambassadors Exchange Project
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has carried out the “International Youth Ambassadors Exchange Program” since 2009 by selecting outstanding university students as youth ambassadors to visit nations that Taiwan has diplomatic relations with and other friendly nations, in order to demonstrate the passion and creativity of young Taiwanese people. They introduce Taiwan from the perspective of a new generation of youth and present Taiwan's positive role in the international society.
Under the theme “Building Youth Friendships Across the Pacific,” the 2025 International Youth Ambassador Exchange Program took place from August 20 to 31. The delegation visited the Republic of the Marshall Islands, one of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies in the Pacific, with additional stops in Hawaii and Guam in the United States. During the trip, the youth ambassadors were received by key political figures, including Marshall Islands Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Kalani Kaneko, Hawaii Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke, Guam Governor Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero, U.S. Representative James Moylan, and Speaker of the Guam Legislature Frank Blas Jr. The group also engaged in exchanges with think tank scholars and local youth, and staged large-scale Taiwanese cultural performances, which were warmly welcomed and highly regarded by all sectors of the host communities.
NGO International Training Program
NGO International Training Program
Staring from 2004, MOFA holds the “NGO International Training Program” every year to train NGO workers, students and people who are interested in international affairs. About 3,700 people in total attended the program.
The 2025 NGO International Affairs Talent Training Program focused on the achievements and prospects of Taiwanese NGOs' international participation under the Integrated Diplomacy policy. Two-day training sessions were held separately in Taipei, Yilan, and Chiayi from late November to early December. For the first time, the 2025 program integrated resources from Taiwan’s renowned art museums and museums, allowing participants to engage in training within spaces rich in culture, arts, and knowledge. Additionally, NGOs set up booths and static exhibitions at the venues, fostering dynamic exchange and interaction between the participants and local NGOs
NGO Leaders Forum
MOFA has held the annual NGO Leaders Forum since 2020. The initiative highlights the results of cooperation on international participation between the public and civic sectors. Through face-to-face exchanges and interactions, the forum has continued to be a mechanism for dialogue between the government and its NGO partners to strengthen Taiwan’s capacity to engage internationally. Over the past four years around 900 people have participated, including Taiwanese NGO leaders, officials of relevant government agencies, members of the diplomatic corps, and corporate representatives.
The fifth NGO Leaders Forum, held on January 7, 2026, took place under the theme of “NGO Practice of Integrated Diplomacy: Experience Sharing and Future Outlook.” More than 200 representatives from domestic and international NGOs, government agencies, the corporate sector, and academia gathered to discuss the experiences and achievements of NGOs across various dimensions of Integrated Diplomacy, including economic diplomacy, values-based diplomacy, and alliance diplomacy. MOFA also invited Marco Chiesara, President of the Italian international NGO WeWorld, as the keynote speaker. He shared the organization's practical experience in cooperating with MOFA and Taiwanese NGOs to provide humanitarian care for Ukrainian children affected by the Russia-Ukraine war.
In order to assist domestic NGOs with taking part in international affairs and training international affair talents to build up their capacity, the MOFA has carried out the project on sending NGO executives abroad for training since 2005. About 79 NGO leaders in total attended the program.
Five leaders undertook internships in Japan、the Philippines, Australia, and the United Kingdom in 2025. The interns helped promote bilateral exchanges and interactions between Taiwan NGOs and INGOs.
MOFA project to select and send Taiwanese youths to undertake internships at INGOs
In order to train local young people to engage in NGO international affairs and build their capacity, MOFA has carried out the program since 2019 to sponsor Taiwanese youths to undertake internships at international NGOs (INGOs). The program provides aspiring young people with opportunities to be overseas interns and learn about INGO operational practices, as well as building up a local pool of talents with experience in NGO international affairs. So far, 20 interns have been selected and sent overseas. Among the applicants, five interns went to Japan、India、United States and South Africa in 2025. The exchanges helped establish partnerships with INGOs.
Women's Empowerment Diplomacy Program
MOFA has promoted the women's empowerment diplomacy program since 2020. The program is jointly planned with the Foundation of Women's Rights Promotion and Development. Parallel to the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)—a major annual meeting for women around the world—MOFA organizes a Taiwan Gender Equality Week as part of the women's empowerment diplomacy program.
MOFA has promoted the women's empowerment diplomacy program since 2020. The program is jointly planned with the Foundation of Women's Rights Promotion and Development. Parallel to the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)—a major annual meeting for women around the world—MOFA organizes a Taiwan Gender Equality Week as part of the women's empowerment diplomacy program.
On March 13, 2026, MOFA held the "Taiwan Women’s Cultural Night" in New York, parallel to the UN Commission on the Status of Women. Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao delivered a pre-recorded video address as a special highlight, sharing Taiwan’s milestones and achievements in gender equality with the international community. This year’s Taiwan Main Stage Forum was co-organized with the World Federation of Taiwanese Associations (WFTA) Foundation, which holds special consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Dr. Lin Ching-yi, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, was invited to deliver a keynote speech via live video link, followed by a panel discussion among domestic and international experts and scholars on gender governance and gender equality issues. Furthermore, Taiwanese NGOs and local governments successfully held over 30 NGO CSW parallel events in New York this year, allowing the international community to deeply feel the great importance Taiwan attaches to gender issues.
