On the afternoon of January 5, President Ma Ying-jeou met with the world president of the Junior Chamber International (JCI), one of its vice presidents, and the leaders of various JCI chapters throughout the world. In addition to extending the delegation a cordial welcome to Taiwan, the president expressed his hope for continued strengthening of interaction and cooperation among the world's youth.
In remarks, the president noted that the JCI was founded in the United States in 1915, and presently has a membership of some 350,000 in about 100 nations across the globe. He highlighted the JCI's role as an important international philanthropic organization, and pointed out that JCI Taiwan has over 10,000 members. To date, JCI Taiwan has held its Ten Outstanding Young Persons Award activity 50 times to recognize outstanding young people who have become a vital force in their communities, he said.
President Ma stated that the JCI in recent years has issued a call to "be the change you want to see in the world," thereby encouraging young people around the world to work for reform. He remarked that Taiwan encourages its youth to participate in international activities and work for the public good. The government is actively implementing a variety of initiatives, such as the so-called "10,000 galloping horses" international youth exchange program and the Youth Volunteer Service for Regional Peace, he said. In addition, Taiwan has signed youth working holiday agreements with the UK, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Australia, and Canada, under which young people between the ages of 18 and 30 are able to work overseas and expand their international horizons, he explained.
President Ma also mentioned that one of the JCI's objectives this year is to promote the Millennium Development Goals set forth by the United Nations. He said that the ROC government strongly supports this project, and hopes to continue to strengthen cooperation with the JCI in order to help young people participate in public affairs and social service activities.
The 14-member delegation that visited the Presidential Office to meet with President Ma was led by JCI 2013 World President Chiara Milani and Vice President for Asia and the Pacific Kazutaka Amaki. Also attending the meeting were National Security Council Deputy Secretary-General John C.C. Deng (鄧振中) and Administrative Deputy Minister of the Interior Lin Tzu-ling (林慈玲).