Government-funded youth overseas program launched

Taoyuan, Jan. 24 (CNA) A government-funded program enabling Taiwan's youth to travel abroad for volunteer work, training, or cross-cultural exchanges was officially launched in Taoyuan on Friday.

The Taiwan Global Pathfinders Initiative will offer over 800 opportunities in 2025 for Taiwanese nationals aged 15 to 30 to travel abroad for durations ranging from two weeks to up to one year, Deputy Education Minister Yeh Ping-cheng (葉丙成) said at the launch event.

The program encourages Taiwan's young people to "step out of their comfort zone" and take on challenges abroad, with the goal of "broadening their horizons" while promoting Taiwan and its values of freedom and democracy, Yeh said.

From the government's perspective, young people play a crucial role in Taiwan's sustainable development, and those with a global perspective and mindset will enhance the country's competitiveness on the international stage in the future, he added.

The program, for which President Lai Ching-te's (賴清德) government has pledged to provide NT$10 billion (US$306 million), will begin accepting applications and proposals from Friday to March 14, and again from May 1 to June 20.

Lai said at the event that the program was a collaborative effort among various government agencies to help Taiwan's young people with aspirations and courage to gain more overseas experience.

He said by doing so, it was hoped that they would drive Taiwan's progress and contribute to the international community in the future.

The president also mentioned that the program could be expanded to include young people from Taiwan's 12 diplomatic allies, offering them additional opportunities to come to Taiwan for exchanges and training.

According to the Ministry of Education (MOE), the program currently includes 85 projects, providing 610 opportunities for overseas voluntary work, training, internship or other types of exchanges in various fields this year.

One of the projects will select three students to go on a tour in Paris, France, where they will gain insight into French politics by visiting the French Parliament, the headquarters of the French newspaper Le Monde, and other related sites, Yeh said.

Another initiative will send 20 young people passionate about the entertainment industry to Seoul, South Korea, to receive training at the Bornstar Training Center, he said.

Yen added that the MOE also aimed to select at least 200 young people who have their own proposals.

According to the MOE, the program will cover round-trip airfare, living expenses, insurance, visa fees, and other costs incurred at home and abroad for those selected.