Realizing President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) promise to create a training program for young leaders, the Youth Corps of the Presidential Office was formally launched yesterday.
Chen welcomed members of the new group and said he has high expectations for them.
The president said that participants in the program, which has been dubbed Taiwan's version of the White House's internship program, are the country's future and hope.
PHOTO: CHIANG YING-YING, TAIPEI TIMES
"Compared to advanced democratic countries in Europe and America, Taiwan, which just experienced the peaceful transition of power recently, is still at a crucial stage, at which its democracy must be consolidated," Chen said in an address at the inauguration ceremony for the group at the Presidential Office yesterday.
"The philosophy of `youth leaders, vitality Taiwan' is my consistent belief," he said.
The group consists of 21 young men and women selected from 21 cities and counties. Among them, 13 are male, eight are female, with the eldest being 35 years of age and the youngest 22.
Chen said that young people are energetic and full of ideals, passion and drive. They may make mistakes from time to time but are not afraid to right wrongs, he said, adding that these qualities are what make Taiwan a vibrant place.
Young social volunteer workers came up with the idea of the Youth Corps. The workers presented their idea of having the Presidential Office establish such a group to Chen last March.
Training for the 21 interns began on Jan. 2 and concluded yesterday. And after completing the one-year internship, participants will receive an honorary certificate from the Presidential Office.
The interns will receive a salary of NT$41,000 (US$1,178.16) a month for their full-time work, said Chen Shih-meng (陳師孟), secretary-general to the president.
Chen Shih-meng said that the program has been set up to encourage outstanding young people to participate in public affairs.
Kimpo Electronics promised to donate NT$15 million for the project.
As for what exactly these young people will do at the Presidential Office, preliminary ideas include editing the Chen's online e-paper or accompanying the president on his visits around the nation.
The office will arrange for the interns to visit different departments each month. In order to help them gain different experiences, they will be assigned to different divisions every three months.
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