Taiwan nationals between the ages of 18 and 30 who have taken part in overseas volunteering projects and international conferences as well as foreign exchange and learning programs are invited to upload one or more relevant photographs with captions to their personal Facebook pages, and to tag the YDA’s iYouth website.
At the conclusion of the event, 30 participants will be selected via random draw and given special prizes. The YDA is also holding its annual short video and essay competition July 1-Sept. 30, with 12 winners to receive up to NT$50,000 (US$1559.09) in prize money.
The iYouth website, the “i” standing for “information,” “interaction” and “international,” and Facebook page are managed by the youth administration in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cabinet-level Overseas Community Affairs Council, among other ministries. The goal of the online initiative is to provide users with information on international activities and events such as conferences, study abroad programs, volunteer opportunities and working holidays.
The government has been actively seeking to enhance young people’s worldview through efforts such as signing working holiday agreements with nations around the globe. On Aug. 8, France will become Taiwan’s 10th working holiday partner in Europe and 15th worldwide.
Going on working holidays has become a popular way for Taiwanese youths to get a taste of living abroad and acquire work experiences. Last year, the YDA helped fund international volunteer service projects for 115 teams consisting of 1,264 young people. So far this year, nearly 1,050 people have received financial assistance to do overseas volunteer work. (KTJ-JG)
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