The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced April 1 that the International Youth Ambassadors Exchange Program is now open for applications, spotlighting government fostering of the next generation of diplomats.
Open to ROC (Taiwan) nationals under 35 years old currently studying on undergraduate or graduate courses, the program looks to attract the best and brightest, the MOFA said.
The ministry welcomes candidates who have a good command of English or Spanish and possess skills including dance, music or other entertainment. It also welcomes individuals who practice coffee latte art and Taiwan tea making because allies Belize and Guatemala both place an emphasis on agricultural products, with the latter a major coffee producer.
A total of 40 youth diplomats will be chosen and participants will embark on a 12-day visit in late August, the ministry added. Both Belize and Guatemala are staunch central American allies, with the latter enjoying over 90 years of diplomatic ties with Taiwan, while Belize and Taiwan celebrated the 35th anniversary of formal relations this year.
Since the program’s launch in 2009, there have been a total of 1,800 participants. Itineraries arranged for the young ambassadors include meeting the host countries’ high-ranking officials, cultural exchange and study, volunteer service and cultural performances. (POC-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw