‘Youth Ambassadors’ Sent to Guatemala to Strengthen Diplomatic Ties

Fifty ‘youth ambassadors’ from Taiwan will begin a 12-day trip to diplomatic allies Belize and Guatemala next week, following two weeks of training in Taipei. The trip is part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) International Youth Ambassadors Exchange Program, reported Focus Taiwan. The initiative aims to enhance bilateral relations and boost awareness of Taiwan.

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung spoke at a send-off ceremony, urging the ambassadors to “boost awareness of Taiwan” and help “further bilateral relations” with Belize and Guatemala. He emphasised that these exchanges would “deepen the bonds” and “elevate the role that Taiwan plays in the international community.”

The selected students, who are all Taiwanese undergraduates aged 18–35, will be in Belize from Aug. 21 to Aug. 25 and in Guatemala from Aug. 25 to Aug. 29. Their itinerary includes seminars, volunteer work, and cultural exchanges.

MOFA revealed that this year’s ambassadors were chosen for their English or Spanish proficiency, academic excellence, or artistic talents. Since its inception in 2009, the program has selected over 1,800 students.