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.
The theme of the 2023 International Youth Ambassadors Exchange Project was “Youth Innovation, Taiwan and Saint Lucia Take Action.” The initiative closely complemented the current policies of the Saint Lucian government. A delegation of 36 college students selected by MOFA and four national cooker competition winners chosen by the Ministry of Labor visited Saint Lucia—one of Taiwan’s Caribbean diplomatic allies—from September 2 to 11, 2023. The group met with acting Governor-General Errol Charles, participated in a youth forum opened by Prime Minister Philip Pierre, visited the speaker of the House of Assembly and the president of the Senate, and took part in exchanges with secondary, primary, and community college students. They also organized cultural performances and cookery classes, which were warmly received in all quarters and helped deepen bilateral ties.
NGO International Training Program
The theme of the 2023 International Youth Ambassadors Exchange Project was “Youth Innovation, Taiwan and Saint Lucia Take Action.” The initiative closely complemented the current policies of the Saint Lucian government. A delegation of 36 college students selected by MOFA and four national cooker competition winners chosen by the Ministry of Labor visited Saint Lucia—one of Taiwan’s Caribbean diplomatic allies—from September 2 to 11, 2023. The group met with acting Governor-General Errol Charles, participated in a youth forum opened by Prime Minister Philip Pierre, visited the speaker of the House of Assembly and the president of the Senate, and took part in exchanges with secondary, primary, and community college students. They also organized cultural performances and cookery classes, which were warmly received in all quarters and helped deepen bilateral ties.
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.
In December of 2023, two 2-day training sessions were held respectively in Taipei and Kaohsiung on the theme of “Public-Private Partnership—Showcasing the Diversity of Taiwan's Resilience”. MOFA hopes that the program not only builds the capacity for NGOs to engage internationally, but also aims to give NGO partners a better understanding of the connections between NGO work and diplomacy.
In December of 2023, two 2-day training sessions were held respectively in Taipei and Kaohsiung on the theme of “Public-Private Partnership—Showcasing the Diversity of Taiwan's Resilience”. MOFA hopes that the program not only builds the capacity for NGOs to engage internationally, but also aims to give NGO partners a better understanding of the connections between NGO work and diplomacy.
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 800 people have participated, including Taiwanese NGO leaders, officials of relevant government agencies, members of the diplomatic corps, and corporate representatives. The theme of the 2023 forum was “Allied by Universal Values: Strengthening Partnerships between Taiwan's Government, NGOs, and Global Civil Society.” The event deepened general awareness of the impact that Taiwan’s NGOs are making on democracy, human rights, gender equality, youth participation, and other issues. It also advanced cooperation between international NGOs (INGOs) and Taiwan's NGOs. Important INGO leaders were invited to Taiwan to speak at the meeting, including Liberato Bautista, president of the Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the UN, and Denise Scotto, vice president of the International Federation of Women in Legal and Juridical Careers. The speakers engaged in a lively exchange with some 200 NGO leaders and workers from home and abroad.
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 70 NGO leaders in total attended the program.
Two leaders undertook internships in United Kingdom and Belgium in 2023. 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, 9 interns have been selected and sent overseas. Among the applicants, five interns went to Kenya、New York、Japan and Thailand in 2023. 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.
In 2023, MOFA hosted a Taiwan Night—Celebrating Women in Tech event on March 7 in New York. The topic echoed the CSW theme of innovation and technological change for achieving empowerment of women. The innovative event combined technology with a fashion show. Participating senior officials from Taiwan's diplomatic allies and partners from civil society created a buzz when they took to the catwalk. At the main stage event on March 9, Vice President of Palau Uduch Sengebau Senior gave the keynote address. National Science and Technology Council Deputy Minister Chern Yi-juang and representatives of Taiwan's diplomatic allies and NGOs discussed promoting gender equality in the digital age and other issues. The conference received widespread media attention at home and abroad. With the easing of the pandemic, Taiwan's NGOs enthusiastically participated in the NGO CSW Forum. The platform was an opportunity for them to develop their own networks and expand international connections. A total of 17 NGOs successfully held 32 meetings (17 in-person and 15 online), setting a new record. Using Taiwan's advantages in internet technology, MOFA and the FWRPD set up a digital platform to live stream the meetings on YouTube. The initiative achieved over 15 million views on social media.
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.
In 2023, MOFA hosted a Taiwan Night—Celebrating Women in Tech event on March 7 in New York. The topic echoed the CSW theme of innovation and technological change for achieving empowerment of women. The innovative event combined technology with a fashion show. Participating senior officials from Taiwan's diplomatic allies and partners from civil society created a buzz when they took to the catwalk. At the main stage event on March 9, Vice President of Palau Uduch Sengebau Senior gave the keynote address. National Science and Technology Council Deputy Minister Chern Yi-juang and representatives of Taiwan's diplomatic allies and NGOs discussed promoting gender equality in the digital age and other issues. The conference received widespread media attention at home and abroad. With the easing of the pandemic, Taiwan's NGOs enthusiastically participated in the NGO CSW Forum. The platform was an opportunity for them to develop their own networks and expand international connections. A total of 17 NGOs successfully held 32 meetings (17 in-person and 15 online), setting a new record. Using Taiwan's advantages in internet technology, MOFA and the FWRPD set up a digital platform to live stream the meetings on YouTube. The initiative achieved over 15 million views on social media.
