The Pacific Islands Leadership Program with Taiwan kicked off Sept. 17 in Taipei City, underscoring the nation’s commitment to working with the U.S. and countries throughout the region to promote long-term prosperity.
Organized by the Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with Hawaii-based East-West Center, PILP aims to cultivate the leaders of tomorrow by bringing participants up to speed on the latest political, economic, social and technological developments. This year’s edition involves 22 young professionals from 12 countries including diplomatic allies Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu.
Speaking at the launch ceremony, MOFA Vice Minister Jose Maria Liu said the program is a prime example of the positive results that can be achieved when Taiwan, the U.S. and Pacific island nations work together. Taiwan looks forward to sharing its successful experiences and cooperating with like-minded partners to meet global challenges such as achieving sustainable development, he added.
According to Liu, PILP is one of the most important capacity building programs in the region, helping participants develop the leadership skills and vision needed to address the key issues of the 21st century as well as build a network with fellow attendees and Taiwan counterparts. This initiative also fosters awareness of how a shared Austronesian heritage is a bridge connecting Taiwan and the Pacific island community, he said.
Echoing Liu’s remarks, American Institute in Taiwan Deputy Director Raymond Greene described Taiwan as the ideal partner to host this platform for young professionals from Pacific island nations. Taiwan is playing a major role in bringing together countries from across the Asia-Pacific and the world, he said, adding that its investment in nurturing the next generation of leaders through PILP is a clear reflection of its commitment to the region.
Prior to arriving in Taiwan, the PILP enrollees spent four weeks attending courses at EWC. For the six-week Taiwan leg of the program, they are scheduled to take part in field trips, seminars and workshops on topics spanning agriculture, climate change, disaster management, economic development, education, environmental protection, gender mainstreaming, green energy, health care and indigenous culture.
Participants will also join Double Tenth National Day celebrations, tour some of Taiwan’s most popular attractions like National Palace Museum, Taipei 101 and Taroko National Park, and conduct fact-finding visits to local businesses.
PILP was proposed by Kurt Campbell, then assistant secretary for the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, in November 2011 and negotiated by Rajiv Shah, then administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development, during a visit to Taiwan in December the same year.
The program was finalized under a five-year memorandum of understanding inked in December 2012 by the MOFA and EWC, with the two sides signing a follow-up agreement in 2017 extending the initiative for another five years. A total of 122 participants from 15 countries took part in the initiative through 2017. (KWS-E)
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