TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) highlighted the city's commitment to youth development at the inaugural 2025 Global InnoYouth Summit (臺北青年高峰會) on Tuesday (July 29). This groundbreaking event, hosted by Taipei City's Department of Youth (青年局), attracted participants from over 40 cities worldwide. The summit marks a significant milestone in Taiwan's capital city's efforts to foster international youth collaboration and innovation.
The summit's comprehensive theme revolved around pressing global youth issues, covering international leadership, innovation dynamics, public participation, and technological well-being. Mayor Chiang described the summit as a significant milestone for the department, specifically aiming to inspire creativity among participants. The mayor emphasized the event's goal of fostering a determination to change the world through youth engagement.
The event featured distinguished speakers including former NASA engineer Janelle Wellons and Bhutan's Innovation Technology Director Phuntsho Namgay sharing insights on future city concepts. The summit concluded by inviting three international young entrepreneurs, Stephen Turban, Kevin Junker, and Quang Do, to share their practical experiences. These entrepreneurs provided valuable perspectives on conducting business and innovation initiatives across Asia.
The Department of Youth, established in June 2024, focuses on career development, civic engagement, international connections, and self-exploration. Under Mayor Chiang's leadership of the Taipei City Government Youth Advisory Committee (臺北市青年事務諮詢委員會), the department facilitates discussions on climate change and AI governance. The department has launched overseas programs, sending over 100 youths to participate in international activities across more than 20 countries. ◼