Department for Youth, Taipei City Government(青年局英文網)

On the 13th, Commissioner Yin Wei of the Taipei City Government's Department for Youth, along with colleagues from the Global Engagement Division, met with Dan Stuart, Deputy Representative of the Australian Office, to discuss future cooperation opportunities in youth affairs. The Global Engagement Division is Taiwan's first unit dedicated to promoting international development for young people. Since its establishment, it has actively worked to enhance the international outlook and participation of Taipei's youth through initiatives such as the International Student Internship Program and International Youth Day celebrations, aiming to establish Taipei as a key hub for international youth exchange.

Taipei City has maintained close relations with several Australian cities, such as Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and Perth, with the sister city relationship with the Gold Coast spanning 42 years. Through concrete cooperation programs, the Department for Youth aims to deepen youth interactions between Taipei and Australia, jointly promoting the growth and development of young people on the international stage.

During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on several potential areas of collaboration in a friendly atmosphere. These included overseas internships, international student exchanges, experiential learning abroad, and exchanges between young artists from both regions. They also shared experiences and insights on international youth exchange and cultural cooperation, discussing how to leverage their respective strengths to foster collaboration between Taipei City and Australia.

Commissioner Yin also shared his experiences studying and working in Australia, particularly in Melbourne, a city renowned for its vibrant street art. He noted the rich graffiti art in the city's alleyways and the encouragement for residents to engage in artistic creation. He suggested that the Department for Youth could draw from these experiences by inviting international artists to create graffiti art in Taipei's public spaces, fostering diverse public dialogue.

Dan Stuart, Deputy Representative of the Australian Office, expressed his appreciation for the innovative and meaningful initiatives promoted by the Department for Youth and looked forward to future cooperation, hoping to spark new ideas that would benefit young people in both places. Following the meeting, Commissioner Yin presented a gift of honey to express gratitude for the Australian Office's efforts in promoting Taiwan-Australia relations over the years, while Deputy Representative Stuart reciprocated with Australian wine, symbolizing the ever-maturing relationship between the two places. This exchange of gifts demonstrated the deep friendship and mutual trust between the two sides.

The Department for Youth stated its intent to maintain ongoing communication with the Australian Office and explore the feasibility of concrete cooperation projects in the future. Together, they aim to create broader international development opportunities for young people in Taiwan and Australia, enhancing interaction between Taipei City and Australia in youth development. Through such collaborations, the Department for Youth is committed to continually enhancing the international competitiveness of Taipei's youth.