Department of Information and Tourism, Taipei City Government

The Department for Youth, Taipei City Government, attended the "2025 Tokyo Global Forum on Children" at the invitation of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. The event brought together representatives from dozens of global cities to exchange insights on innovative practices in children and youth public participation. During the forum, Commissioner Wei Yin delivered a keynote speech titled "Six Changes Children Made in Taipei," showcasing Taipei's policies and achievements in incorporating children and youth voices in public decision-making. The presentation, which included physical demonstrations of shared umbrellas, menstrual products, and reusable cups, left a strong impression on international delegates.

This inaugural forum, organized by Tokyo's Official Liaison Office for Child-Oriented Policies, focused on promoting youth participation across global cities and exploring various mechanisms for youth engagement in public affairs through experience sharing, aiming to enhance policy equity and feasibility. The event gathered international experts, policymakers, and youth representatives to establish a more comprehensive child-friendly city network through global dialogue. Taipei's long-standing commitment to child-friendly policies and diverse participation mechanisms, particularly in creating multiple expression channels and strengthening decision-making influence, has gained recognition, leading to this invitation to share experiences at the forum.

Since its establishment in 2024, the Department for Youth has focused on three core objectives: promoting youth public participation, career development, and international exchange. It is dedicated to providing diverse growth opportunities and development resources for young people. At the forum, Commissioner Yin presented the Taipei City Government's concrete approaches to children and youth public participation mechanisms through "policy stories," highlighting four major mechanisms: committee representation, public policy proposals, participatory budgeting, and flipped classrooms.

Commissioner Yin noted that the Taipei Youth Advisory Committee, serving as a crucial platform for dialogue between youth and government, included five committee members under 18 in its first term. Additionally, in 2024, the Department organized a public policy creative proposal and debate competition centered on the First Funeral Parlor site issue, creating a platform for youth expression and encouraging participation in urban development planning.

Commissioner Yin emphasized that the Taipei City Government has consistently valued youth opinions and continues to promote participatory budgeting in high schools to strengthen students' understanding and participation in public policy. In 2024, 39 high schools (76.5% of Taipei's high schools) implemented related courses. Student proposals, including reusable cups and shared umbrellas, have been successfully implemented in citizens' daily lives, demonstrating active student participation in public affairs. Regarding children's public participation, Taipei has been selecting "Children and Youth Advisory Representatives" since 2012, enabling direct policy discussions between youth representatives and various city government departments.

This forum provided not only an opportunity for Taipei to share its experiences but also for cities to collaboratively explore how to support children and youth in expressing their voices and actively participating in decision-making, transforming their ideas into actions for social change. Commissioner Yin emphasized that children's voices are crucial driving forces for urban progress, stating, "When we are willing to listen to, understand, and implement the ideas of the younger generation, we can see a city's most authentic appearance and greatest potential. This is not just the Taipei City Government's belief but also our promise to the next generation."

During the Tokyo visit, Commissioner Yin signed a memorandum of understanding for international internships with Waseda University, marking the university's first cooperation agreement with a Taiwanese local government and the Department's first internship cooperation with an Asian university. Commissioner Yin also visited the Liberal Democratic Party's Youth Division to congratulate Congressman Nakasone Yasutaka on his appointment as Director of the Youth Division. Following Congressman Nakasone's visit to Taiwan last year, this meeting marked their first official exchange in his new role, deepening bilateral cooperation.