Department of Sports, Taipei City Government

This July, for the first time, the Department for Youth, Taipei City Government, was invited to the 2026 International Forum on Youth Policy. Commissioner Yi-Hsi Chou and the delegation traveled to Seoul to deliver a keynote presentation and exchange insights with youth policy experts from Korea and Singapore on Taipei’s commitment to youth career development, international engagement, and youth empowerment. Furthermore, the Department for Youth renewed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Youth Affairs Cooperation with the Seoul Metropolitan Government, deepening the commitment to the long-standing partnership between the two cities and expanding Taipei’s international youth collaboration platform. 

Commissioner Yi-Hsi Chou delivered a keynote presentation titled “Empowering Young Futures: Taipei’s Career Pathway for Youth,” introducing Taipei’s four pillars of youth career development: “Discover,” “Experience,” “Create,”  and “Go Global.” Through one-stop career support services, industry talent development programs, domestic and international internship opportunities, and entrepreneurship support, these initiatives accompany young people as they explore their identities, gain practical experiences, and prepare for the global workforce. The Department also shared Taipei’s practical experiences and achievements in supporting youth development with youth policy experts from around the world. 

The forum was hosted by the Seoul Metropolitan Youth Center, with Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon delivering opening remarks. Commissioner Yi-Hsi Chou presented Mayor Oh with a signature gift representing Taipei’s youth creativity and innovation, symbolizing the strong friendship and partnership between Taipei and Seoul in advancing youth exchange and collaboration. 

During the forum, the Department for Youth also engaged in in-depth discussions with experts from the National Youth Policy Institute of Korea, the Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training (KRIVET), and the National University of Singapore. By exchanging experiences and learning from each country’s approaches to youth policy, the Department gained valuable insights that will serve as an important reference for further strengthening Taipei’s youth policies. 

Another key outcome of the visit was the return visit to Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Youth & Future Planning Bureau, where Commissioner Yi-Hsi Chou and Youth & Future Planning Bureau Representative Kim Cheol-hee signed the renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Youth Affairs Cooperation. Through the renewed MOU, both parties reaffirmed their commitment to continuing youth policy exchanges, promoting engagement between young people in Taipei and Seoul, and establishing a cooperation mechanism for government officials responsible for youth affairs, further strengthening the partnership between the two cities. 

The Department for Youth also visited the 2026 Seoul Youth Policy Expo to gain firsthand insights into Seoul’s integrated youth policies supporting employment, entrepreneurship, and daily life. The delegation observed innovative initiatives such as the Youth Comprehensive Consultation Counter and Pre-employment Color Analysis, learning how Korea integrates cross-departmental resources to provide one-stop youth services. These experiences offered valuable references for further enhancing Taipei’s youth services and policy development. 

Commissioner Yi-Hsi Chou emphasized that since its establishment, the Department has actively supported youths in broadening their global perspectives and developing cross-cultural competencies through international forums, city exchanges, overseas internship opportunities, and volunteer programs. Building on Seoul’s participation in Taipei’s 2025 Global InnoYouth Summit, the Department was invited this year to attend the Forum and renew the MOU on Youth Affairs Cooperation. This not only demonstrates international recognition of Taipei’s youth policies but also further strengthens the foundation for collaboration between Taipei and Seoul. Looking ahead, the Department will continue partnering with more international cities to expand opportunities for youth exchange and learning, fulfilling its vision of “Connecting Taipei’s youth with the world and bringing the world to Taipei.”