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

The Taipei City Government Department for Youth, accompanied by Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an, has embarked on a visit to the United States. Utilizing this valuable opportunity, the Department for Youth visited Princeton University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the University of Pennsylvania, and the New Jersey Institute of Technology, actively seeking further cooperation in international internships, forums, and workshops. The goal is to deepen friendly relations with international organizations and enhance the global capabilities and perspectives of Taipei’s youth.

During the visit to Princeton University, the Department for Youth met with the Princeton in Asia (PiA) program and the Office of International Programs. PiA aims to promote cross-cultural exchange between the U.S. and Asian countries by providing internship and teaching opportunities that allow interns to gain an in-depth understanding of local culture, language, and society. The Department for Youth signed a letter of intent with PiA, expressing a strong willingness to cooperate. The Office of International Programs also looks forward to providing internship opportunities at the Department for Youth and plans to initiate the application process, with the earliest possible internships expected to be arranged next year.

At MIT, the Department for Youth engaged in in-depth discussions with the Open Learning division and the International Science and Technology Initiatives (MISTI). Open Learning focuses on using digital technology to innovate teaching and learning methods both at MIT and globally. MISTI provides international learning experiences for MIT students and faculty, promoting cross-cultural connections and global innovation. Open Learning hopes to collaborate on Bootcamps or workshops to facilitate international exchanges, while MISTI expressed eagerness to advance international internship programs with the Department for Youth and will actively assist with the application and selection processes for interns.

Mayor Chiang Wan-an also returned to his alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), where the Department for Youth met with Penn Global to explore potential cooperation projects. Citing the successful experience of hosting two Harvard University interns this year, the Department for Youth hopes future interns will have the opportunity to delve into Taipei’s policies during their two-month summer internship, engage with local interns, and promote cultural exchange. Penn Global highly supports this initiative and is committed to advancing the international internship program.

Department for Youth Commissioner Yin also delivered a speech at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, introducing the Department for Youth’s various initiatives. Commissioner Yin emphasized that the mission of the Department for Youth is to empower young people and ensure that Taipei is not just a place where youth live but a city where they grow, envision their futures, and build their careers and lives. He highlighted that this visit aims to deepen international cooperation, enhance Taipei's youth's global competitiveness and perspectives, and establish more international friendly relations to open doors for Taipei’s youth to the world.

In addition to engaging with major universities, the Department for Youth also visited Boston, where they met with the Human Services department and its Office of Youth Engagement and Advancement (OYEA). Both parties discussed youth advisory councils, career development, and youth public engagement, with plans for subsequent online meetings to further explore collaboration possibilities. In Philadelphia, the Department for Youth visited the World Affairs Council, a non-profit organization focused on youth international engagement, to learn about its Model United Nations, high school exchange programs, and youth international travel initiatives.

Mayor Chiang also made a special visit to Harvard University’s Kennedy School to deliver a speech and reunite with the two interns who participated in the Department for Youth’s International Internship Program this year. In his speech, Mayor Chiang specifically introduced the Department for Youth’s international initiatives and highlighted Taipei City’s efforts in promoting international connections and cooperation. Through this speech, the Taipei City Department for Youth not only took the international stage but also fully demonstrated Taipei City Government's commitment to cultivating global perspectives among its youth and actively promoting inter-city exchanges and cooperation.

This summer, the Department for Youth launched the International Internship Program, starting with Harvard University, and actively visited various municipal institutions, researched youth policies from different countries, engaged with local students, facilitated cultural interactions, and provided municipal recommendations. Commissioner Yin emphasized that this visit aims to bring the world to Taipei and push Taipei toward the world. The Department will continue to strengthen Taipei’s connections with the global youth community, promote opportunities for international competition and performances, overseas internships and experiential learning, and study loans, to offer more pathways for Taiwanese youth to enter the international arena. Moving forward, the Department for Youth will keep enhancing Taipei’s global youth connections and fostering exchanges and interactions between Taipei’s young people and the world.