Taiwanese Youth Ambassadors Arrive in Belize for Cultural Exchange Program

Fifty students from Taiwan landed this morning in Belize as part of the annual International Youth Ambassadors Exchange Program.  The participants, ages 18 to 35, were chosen among several application submitted to Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  The 4-day visit to Belize will see the students engage in several exercises with a focus to build relations with Taiwan and to promote arts and skills.  Youth ambassadors are selected based on their proficiency in English or Spanish, academic excellence, or special talents in the arts. Before leaving Taiwan, the students had to undergo a two week intensive training period in Taipei. Belizean Ambassador to Taiwan Candice Pitts praised the program for equipping young people with the skills necessary to engage in global affairs. Since the program’s inception in 2009, more than 1,800 students have participated, fostering connections between Taiwan and its international allies. The students are set to leave Belize on Sunday for Guatemala where they will spend another four days as part of the exchange program.