Taiwan Global Pathfinders Initiative set for second round: MOFA

Taipei, Aug. 26 (CNA) A government-funded program enabling youths from Taiwan's diplomatic allies to participate in short term training and cross-cultural exchanges in Taiwan will soon begin its second round after the successful completion of its first round last month.

Ke Liang-ruey (柯良叡), head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' (MOFA) Department of Policy Planning and the person in charge of the program, known as the "2025 Taiwan Global Pathfinders Initiative --Diplomatic Allies Inbound Track Program," said the first round ended in July.

Under the initiative, 24 participants from four of Taiwan's diplomatic allies -- Eswatini, Marshall Islands, Palau and Tuvalu -- underwent a two-week training program from July 18 to 31, Ke said during a MOFA weekly news briefing.

Participants from Eswatini focused on smart agricultural technology, especially in the areas of automated cultivation, precision irrigation and smart sensors, Ke said.

Those from the three Pacific allies, meanwhile, learned how to develop sustainable tourism and conserve cultural resources to bolster local industry, according to Ke.

The ministry is hoping that participants can use what they learn to promote development in their respective countries after returning home, Ke said.

Due to its success and high demand, Ke said the second round of the Diplomatic Allies Inbound Track Program will be expanded to one month from the previous two weeks and will be open not only to diplomatic allies in Latin America but also to non-allies in Europe.

Taiwan embassies and representative offices are currently searching for qualified participants to join the project, which is expected to begin in Taipei in mid-October, he said.

The project is an extension of the Taiwan Global Pathfinders Initiative, which was launched by the government in early 2025.

It was originally set up to offer over 800 opportunities for Taiwanese nationals aged 15 to 30 to travel abroad for durations ranging from two weeks to up to one year, focusing on fostering global connections and exchanges among Taiwanese youths.

The government later expanded the program to make it a two-way project by inviting youths from Taiwan's 12 diplomatic allies to visit the country for short-term training programs and cultural exchanges.