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

Today (29th), the Taipei City Government's Department for Youth signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Association of Foreign Relations. The MOU was signed by Commissioner Yin Wei of the Department for Youth and President Lin Yung-lo of the Association of Foreign Relations, with Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an witnessing the ceremony. Commissioner Yin highlighted that both parties, guided by a spirit of collaboration, will work together to promote international exchange activities, nurturing young people with global perspectives and cross-cultural communication skills.

The Association of Foreign Relations, established by diplomats, aims to leverage resources from the public, private, and third sectors to expand Taiwan’s foreign relations and assist the government in promoting international exchanges and cross-strait interactions. Its mission is to foster peace and stability across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. The association actively collaborates with various sectors in Taiwan to raise awareness and interest in foreign affairs. Through this partnership with the Department for Youth, it hopes to foster more international opportunities for young people by combining public and private efforts.

During his speech, Mayor Chiang Wan-an emphasized that youth are society's most valuable asset and the future hope of every city. As Taiwan’s international gateway, Taipei bears the responsibility of preparing young people for the global stage. He expressed his belief that this partnership with the Association of Foreign Relations will significantly enhance the global outlook of Taipei’s youth and deepen international exchange efforts. 

Mayor Chiang also noted that the Department for Youth was established in June 2024, becoming the first local government department in Taiwan to create a dedicated Global Engagement Division to promote youth international exchange and development. During his visit to the U.S., the department actively fostered partnerships with institutions such as Princeton University, MIT, and the University of Pennsylvania, seeking to align global resources and opportunities to support youth career development and civic engagement.

President Lin Yung-lo of the Association of Foreign Relations acknowledged Taipei City's strong focus on international exchange and youth affairs. He expressed gratitude to Commissioner Yin for facilitating this partnership and looked forward to collaborating on concrete and effective international exchange initiatives for young people. Lin also shared the association’s history of collaborating with various local governments and universities, including those in New Taipei, Taichung, and Chiayi, and noted their initiatives such as the “Taiwan and the World” program, “Ambassadors’ Stories,” and Model United Nations (MUN) courses aimed at fostering youth development. He expressed confidence that this partnership would create a solid foundation for both organizations and wished the department success in its endeavors.

In his speech, Commissioner Yin Wei emphasized that the partnership aims to provide Taipei’s youth with more opportunities to engage internationally and expand their horizons. He believes that international exchange will help young people gain exposure to diverse cultures and perspectives, enhancing their global competitiveness and preparing them to become future leaders. Commissioner Yin shared that during the U.S. visit, the department met with the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia, a nonprofit organization that regularly hosts ambassador talks to provide youth with insights into global politics, culture, and diplomacy. He hopes to organize similar events in collaboration with the Association of Foreign Relations to give young people a deeper understanding of diplomacy and inspire them to explore new opportunities in an increasingly globalized world.

Commissioner Yin also quoted Ambassador Lui Ching-lung, who said, “Knowledge is learning from others' experiences, but wisdom comes from your own.” He encouraged the Department for Youth to build on this philosophy by working closely with young people, helping them learn from others' experiences while accumulating their own wisdom through practice, empowering them to meet global challenges and create meaningful impact.

The signing of this MOU marks an important milestone in Taipei’s efforts to promote youth international exchange. Through collaboration and resource sharing, the partnership aims to provide young people with enriched learning and exchange platforms, fostering greater participation on the global stage and cultivating talents with a global outlook. This initiative not only enhances the competitiveness of individual youth but also injects new vitality into Taipei’s international profile.