In the past, Taiwan’s local politics was often criticized for issues such as long-term control by local political-business families or black-gold (corrupt) forces. Major political parties lacked policies and commitment to nurturing and recruiting professionals and individuals passionate about public affairs.
However, in recent years, with the rise of various grassroots organizations and networks across urban and rural areas—such as local revitalization initiatives and university social responsibility (USR) programs—a new wave of young people has increasingly participated in elections and public service. These processes of civic engagement and public involvement also help political parties identify and cultivate future political talent from various local socioeconomic and cultural groups.
In the 2022 local “nine-in-one” elections, many young and professional individuals ran for positions such as city and county councilors, township mayors, and especially village and neighborhood chiefs, bringing fresh hope and new messages to local political participation.
We are hosting a forum titled “Local Party Building and Talent Cultivation”, inviting experts and scholars in the field of political party talent development to share insights. We aim to continue advancing the transformation and progress of Taiwan’s local political society. Details are as follows (additional information in the attachment):
Event Details:
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Date & Time: Saturday, October 14, 2023, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
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Location: Room 713, 7th Floor, College of Social Sciences, National Taiwan University
Moderator:
Keynote Speaker:
Panelists:
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Shen Yu-Chung (Professor, Department of Political Science, Tunghai University)
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Hsu Hung-Ting (Taipei City Councilor, Kuomintang)
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Yen Wei-Tzu (New Taipei City Councilor, Democratic Progressive Party)
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Lee Chao-Li (Secretary-General, New Power Party)
Organizers:
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Graduate Institute of Public Affairs, National Taiwan University
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Taiwan Association for Local Governance Research
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Chinese Association of Government and Public Affairs
Sponsor:
We warmly welcome all those interested in party politics and the cultivation of public policy professionals to join us for sharing and exchange!