A group of 40 Taiwanese students aged 18 to 35 is to visit the Marshall Islands, Hawaii and Guam later this month, as part of an annual government-funded youth ambassadorship program, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs official said today.
Department of NGO International Affairs Director Charlie Chiang (江振瑋) told a weekly news briefing that the 40 youth ambassadors were currently undergoing a mandatory two weeks of training before embarking on their 12-day trips from Wednesday next week to Aug. 31.
Photo: CNA
Among the group, 20 were selected for their good command of English and 20 for their special talents in the performing arts or other outstanding skills, Chiang said.
While in the Marshall Islands, Hawaii and Guam, the student ambassadors are to engage in people-to-people exchanges with local politicians and young people, Chiang said.
Their itinerary also includes volunteer work and music and dance performances, he added.
"The program will showcase Taiwanese culture through talent as well as promoting a diverse cultural landscape and image of freedom, democracy and openness," he said.
More than 1,800 Taiwanese undergraduate and graduate students have participated in the annual International Youth Ambassadors Program since it began in 2009, the ministry said.
The Marshall Islands is among the 12 countries around the world that formally recognize Taiwan.
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