Jump to the main content block
:::

NSYSU and AIT Co-Sponsor 2023 FutureTalk Challenge to Nurturing Taiwan's Youth Leaders

2023-11-17

National Sun Yat-sen University and the American Institute in Taiwan Kaohsiung Branch Office (AIT-K) co-sponsored the 2023 FutureTalk Challenge for Taiwan High School Students on November 17. The event was co-organized by the Office of International Affairs and Si Wan College. The theme of this year’s competition combines four significant issues: Taiwan-US relations, youth, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and artificial intelligence. Participants were expected to share their innovative ideas and solutions and think about helping promote cooperation between Taiwan and the United States, thereby creating a better future.

Vice President for International Affairs Prof. Mitch Chou stated that NSYSU has cooperated with the AIT-K in organizing English speech contests since 2013 to promote cultural exchanges between the two countries and improve the English proficiency of local students. Entering its 10th year, the organizers hope to encourage students to use English and train their expression skills and on-stage composure through a TED-talk format. Students are expected to show innovative thinking to continue to promote exchanges between Taiwan and the United States and sustainable development. Another feature added to this year is for the AIT-K to invite an English Language Fellow from the U.S. State Department to hold a workshop for contestants passing preliminary screening. The workshop provided professional training to help the contestants better prepare for their final performance.

At the opening of the final competition, Mr. Jeremy Cornforth, Deputy Director of the AIT, encourages Taiwanese youth to actively acquire the knowledge and skills for cross-cultural communication, emphasizing that effective communication will help enhance themselves to become leaders of the next generation and help Taiwan contribute to the international community.

The NSYSU organizers stated that the competition was divided into individual category and group category, and 15 groups from each category were selected after the preliminary review. Those who passed the preliminary review were required to attend the workshop, and those who completed the training would advance to the finals. At the end of the workshop, each contestant chose one of the 17 SDGs as their final topic.

Exchanges between Taiwan and the United States have continued to develop over the past 40 years. The two sides have continued to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in various aspects such as economy, trade, education, and culture. National Sun Yat-sen University cooperated with the AIT in 1999 to establish the only America Center in Taiwan - Sun Yat-sen America Center. Its mission is to increase understanding and interaction between southern Taiwan and the United States. Since its establishment, it has carried out exchanges through various cooperations, including speeches, cultural activities, seminars, exhibitions, and consultations on studying in the United States so that students and the public can better understand American culture, business, education, and values.
Click Num: