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Taiwan UN Alliance launches youth corps

Chen Lung-chu, far right, director of the Taiwan United Nations Alliance raises his fist in a symbol of solidarity together with Yen Sheng-kuan, second right, captain of the alliance's Youth Corps, which was established yesterday. The Youth Corps will work to involve young Taiwanese in supporting Taiwan's bid to rejoin the UN. PHOTO: LIU HSIN-DE, TAIPEI TIMES

A group of youths vowed to support the nation's bid to rejoin the UN when the Taiwan United Nations Alliance (TAIUNA) launched a Youth Corps yesterday.

Six youth organizations were the main drivers behind the foundation of TAIUNA's Youth Corps, which aims to involve young people in Taiwan's efforts to become a UN member state.

Taiwan withdrew from the UN in 1971 when a UN resolution ruled that the People's Republic of China was the only legitimate representative of China to the international body.

Prior to the resolution, Taiwan had occupied the seat of China under the regime of dictator Chiang Kai-shek (蔣介石), who claimed his government was the only legitimate government of China.

Since then, Taiwan's efforts to rejoin the UN have been boycotted by China, which considers Taiwan a rebel province.

"We'll organize events to raise young people's awareness of the issue," Yen Sheng-kuan (顏聖冠), Taipei City councilor and captain of the Youth Corps, said.

"Events on our agenda include university campus awareness campaigns and sponsoring young people to go to New York when the UN General Assembly meets in September," Yen added.

Chen Lung-chu (陳隆志), president of TAIUNA, believes that young people's participation in the nation's bid for membership is critical.

"The campaign becomes a truly national campaign as young people join us," Chen said.

Tu Shiing-jer (涂醒哲), vice president of TAIUNA, also welcomed youth participation.

"I'm glad to see young activists involved in Taiwan's bid for UN membership," Tu said. "In the past, there were mostly old people involved in the campaign."

"Now we can pass the mission on to the younger generation," Tu said.

In addition to getting involved in the campaign to promote Taiwan's bid, the Youth Corps also hoped to encourage interaction between Taiwanese youths and youths in other countries.

"Because of political reasons, young people in Taiwan don't have as many opportunities to work with international organizations," Yen said.

"We'd like to increase their understanding of how international organizations work through efforts such as volunteering in international aid programs," Yen continued.

"We'll also recruit members from other countries so local members will have opportunities to build connections with the rest of the world," she added.
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