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

The Department for Youth of Taipei City Government, in collaboration with the Association of Foreign Relations, hosted the diplomatic lecture “Youth Meet Diplomats: U.S. Perspectives x Taiwan’s Views” at the 5th Floor Pop Plaza of the Department. The event attracted many enthusiastic young participants who engaged in lively discussions on the challenges and allure of diplomatic work.

This landmark collaboration between the Department and the Association of Foreign Relations was marked by the signing of their Memorandum of Understanding on October 29, 2024. President David Yung-lo Lin of the Association expressed his delight at the unique opportunity to invite seasoned diplomats to share firsthand experiences with youth, underscoring the value placed on fostering opportunities for young people to engage with international affairs.

The event featured Dr. Robert Wang, former Deputy Director of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), as keynote speaker. Drawing from decades of diplomatic service, Dr. Wang shared insights into U.S.-Taiwan relations and real-world diplomacy. He analyzed key international case studies and models of cross-border collaboration, equipping youth with a comprehensive understanding of the complexities of global affairs and empowering them with knowledge.

The panel discussion, moderated by Secretary General Dr. Alexander Huang of the Association, featured former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Wu-Chiao Hsieh and Secretary  Wei-Hsuan Chang of the Department of International Organizations. The diplomats engaged directly with participants, offering strategic advice on navigating global challenges and applying diplomatic skills in real-world contexts.

Senior Specialist Shih-Hsing Liang of the Department for Youth noted that this event gave young participants rare access to frontline diplomatic experiences, strengthening their understanding of how strategic diplomacy fosters international cooperation and cross-cultural communication. The strong engagement during the Q&A session reflected Taiwanese youth’s deep interest in global issues.

In addition to keynote presentations, the event featured small-group breakout sessions that enabled young attendees to interact closely with veteran diplomats. The Department emphasized that the event's success demonstrated the youth’s passion and curiosity for international affairs. It reiterated its commitment to providing diverse and professional platforms for international exchange, with quarterly lectures spotlighting perspectives from different countries. We aim to cultivate globally competitive future leaders equipped to thrive in a rapidly changing world.