Taiwan and the U.S. co-train talent from 10 Pacific nations at NSYSU, focusing on climate change
2024-12-31
The East-West Center, a Hawaii-based think tank in the United States, and the Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs of Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs co-host the "Pacific Islands Leadership Program (PILP) with Taiwan." To date, the program has trained 197 outstanding young leaders from Pacific island nations. National Sun Yat-sen University (NSYSU) is actively participating, with experts and scholars from various fields analyzing issues such as strategic environments, international maritime policies, climate change, and marine biodiversity. In October this year, 21 participants from 10 nations, including the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, and Fiji, engaged in discussions to deepen Taiwan-U.S. cooperation.
NSYSU noted that the U.S. has been seeking partners to address shared challenges faced by island nations. In response, at the initiative of the U.S. Department of State, the Hawaii-based think tank East-West Center in the United States and the Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs of Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs signed a memorandum of understanding in 2012, co-holding the PILP in 2013. Over nine cohorts, the program has trained 197 promising young leaders from Pacific nations.
The training consists of two phases: the first phase in Hawaii and the second in Taiwan, hosted by Taiwan's Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs. The curriculum focuses on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and issues of concern to island nations, covering topics such as climate change, environmental protection, green energy, cultural preservation, economic development, women's empowerment, and indigenous issues. Participants come from diverse backgrounds, including government, international organizations, media, healthcare, and education. This diversity fosters connections among elite participants, allowing for experience-sharing of Taiwan and strengthening personal networks. The program also highlights the close partnership between Taiwan and the U.S., promoting trilateral cooperation between Taiwan, the U.S., and Pacific nations.
NSYSU has played a pivotal role, supporting the Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs training programs by the College of Marine Sciences since the following year, including marine law and policy, coastal and marine resource management, and small island development in 2014 and 2015. In 2023, the focus included climate change impacts on aquaculture diseases, College of Marine Sciences research potential, and blue carbon studies. Participants also learned about NSYSU's self-developed autonomous underwater vehicles and marine specimen archives.
Li-Lian Liu, Associate Dean of NSYSU's College of Marine Sciences, chaired the discussions. Nien-Tsu Alfred Hu, Director of the Center for Marine Policy Studies, provided in-depth analysis of the Indo-Pacific strategic environment and international maritime policies of countries in the Pacific region. Professor Shih-Ming Kao of the Graduate Institute of Marine Affairs shared insights on Taiwan's cooperation with regional fisheries management organizations, introduced the research results of the overseas research center jointly established by the NSYSU College of Marine Sciences and Pacific nations, and discussed coastal protection and carbon sequestration issues, striving to mitigate the impact of climate change. He also highlighted international marine biodiversity conservation and environmental change efforts at the Dongsha Atoll Research Station-Marine Station. Participants showed great interest in seabed mining, prompting detailed discussions and a visit to NSYSU's seabed exploration research, including deep-sea towed vehicles.
Li-Lian Liu noted that this year's 21 participants hail from 10 countries, including the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Cook Islands, the Solomon Islands, French Polynesia, and Samoa. Participants come from various sectors such as government, international organizations, media, law, education, and business.
Dean Te-Yu Liao of NSYSU's College of Marine Sciences expressed confidence that the program will not only enhance the capabilities of Pacific Island youth leaders but also deepen cooperation between Taiwan and these nations to jointly face future challenges. In the context of global climate change, the program aims to contribute to the sustainable development of the region and the future of Pacific island nations.
The East-West Center, a Hawaii-based think tank in the United States, and the Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs of Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs co-host the "Pacific Islands Leadership Program (PILP) with Taiwan." To date, the program has trained 197 outstanding young leaders from Pacific island nations. National Sun Yat-sen University (NSYSU) is actively participating, with experts and scholars from various fields analyzing issues such as strategic environments, international maritime policies, climate change, and marine biodiversity. In October this year, 21 participants from 10 nations, including the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, and Fiji, engaged in discussions to deepen Taiwan-U.S. cooperation.
NSYSU noted that the U.S. has been seeking partners to address shared challenges faced by island nations. In response, at the initiative of the U.S. Department of State, the Hawaii-based think tank East-West Center in the United States and the Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs of Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs signed a memorandum of understanding in 2012, co-holding the PILP in 2013. Over nine cohorts, the program has trained 197 promising young leaders from Pacific nations.
The training consists of two phases: the first phase in Hawaii and the second in Taiwan, hosted by Taiwan's Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs. The curriculum focuses on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and issues of concern to island nations, covering topics such as climate change, environmental protection, green energy, cultural preservation, economic development, women's empowerment, and indigenous issues. Participants come from diverse backgrounds, including government, international organizations, media, healthcare, and education. This diversity fosters connections among elite participants, allowing for experience-sharing of Taiwan and strengthening personal networks. The program also highlights the close partnership between Taiwan and the U.S., promoting trilateral cooperation between Taiwan, the U.S., and Pacific nations.
NSYSU has played a pivotal role, supporting the Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs training programs by the College of Marine Sciences since the following year, including marine law and policy, coastal and marine resource management, and small island development in 2014 and 2015. In 2023, the focus included climate change impacts on aquaculture diseases, College of Marine Sciences research potential, and blue carbon studies. Participants also learned about NSYSU's self-developed autonomous underwater vehicles and marine specimen archives.
Li-Lian Liu, Associate Dean of NSYSU's College of Marine Sciences, chaired the discussions. Nien-Tsu Alfred Hu, Director of the Center for Marine Policy Studies, provided in-depth analysis of the Indo-Pacific strategic environment and international maritime policies of countries in the Pacific region. Professor Shih-Ming Kao of the Graduate Institute of Marine Affairs shared insights on Taiwan's cooperation with regional fisheries management organizations, introduced the research results of the overseas research center jointly established by the NSYSU College of Marine Sciences and Pacific nations, and discussed coastal protection and carbon sequestration issues, striving to mitigate the impact of climate change. He also highlighted international marine biodiversity conservation and environmental change efforts at the Dongsha Atoll Research Station-Marine Station. Participants showed great interest in seabed mining, prompting detailed discussions and a visit to NSYSU's seabed exploration research, including deep-sea towed vehicles.
Li-Lian Liu noted that this year's 21 participants hail from 10 countries, including the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Cook Islands, the Solomon Islands, French Polynesia, and Samoa. Participants come from various sectors such as government, international organizations, media, law, education, and business.
Dean Te-Yu Liao of NSYSU's College of Marine Sciences expressed confidence that the program will not only enhance the capabilities of Pacific Island youth leaders but also deepen cooperation between Taiwan and these nations to jointly face future challenges. In the context of global climate change, the program aims to contribute to the sustainable development of the region and the future of Pacific island nations.
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