Hakka Affairs Council (HAC) Minister Lee Yung-de met with members of the 2019 Hakka Youth International Affairs Mission on July 15 as they gathered at Taipei’s Chientan Youth Activity Center for a two-week training program that will prepare them for their upcoming visit to Australia and New Zealand. Minister Lee encouraged the young delegates to seize the opportunity to promote Hakka culture and link up with the world.

Out of the 113 applicants, 13 exceptional youngsters of Hakka descent selected by HAC over the course of two months comprise the delegation, and they are about to visit Sydney and Brisbane of Australia and Auckland and Christchurch of New Zealand from July 30 to Aug. 15. Their tasks shall include participation in global affairs, cultural exchanges, and voluntary services.

The two-week intensive training program is aimed at helping the young delegates unlock their potential and become outstanding Hakka cultural ambassadors of Taiwan by gaining a deeper understanding of Hakka culture, international affairs, and the spirit of teamwork.

This summer’s program has invited several distinguished speakers, including HAC Deputy Minister Yiong Cong-ziin (楊長鎮), former ROC Ambassador to France Michel Ching-long Lu (呂慶龍), former Dean of College of Hakka Studies at National Chiao Tung University Chang Wei-an (張維安), Director of Graduate Institute of Hakka Culture Studies at National Kaohsiung Normal University Hung Hsin-lan (洪馨蘭), news department manager of Hakka TV Station Shiang Sheng-yen (向盛言), and Hakka singer Lin Yu-ting (林鈺婷).

The curriculum encompasses an overview of Hakka-related policies, Taiwan’s Hakka culture, revitalization of Hakka settlements, introduction of overseas Hakka organizations and international non-governmental organizations, presentation skills, cultural marketing, the general history of Australasia, Asia-Pacific politics, and guidelines on international etiquette.

Lee’s morale-boosting visit reassured the young delegates. He said that, on the basis of the experience shared by previous delegations, the training program is particularly important for helping the delegates prepare themselves for every possible situation. Lee further reminded them to take good care of themselves during their upcoming trip so that they are always ready for taking on new challenges.