2012 International Conference on International Development Cooperation and Taiwan Experience

Caritas Taiwan Director Fr. Peter Mertens and Sr. Emma Lee attended the International Conference on International Development Cooperation and Taiwan Experience on September 25, 2012.

The conference was co-hosted by Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDP) and Chung-Hua Institute for Economic Research (Taiwan WTO center) with the aim of gaining more public insight into the concept of United Nations Millennium Development Goals (UN MDG).

The event was structured by three themes that aim to explore Taiwan’s successful foreign aid experiences and foster discussions with leading donor countries and international development organizations. The important focus is how to achieve the UN MDG and to enhance public support for Taiwan’s role as “responsible stakeholder” in the global community.

The participants were welcome by H.E. Timothy C. T. Yang, Chairman of the International Cooperation Development Fund (Taiwan ICDF). A special remark was given by the President of the Republic of China (Taiwan) – President H.E. Ma Ying-jeou. Keynote speaker, H.E. Robert B. Zoelick, Former President of the World Bank Group spoke about the Developing Countries and Emerging Markets: A World of Change.

The Roundtable Forum on UN MDGs and Global Trends of International Development Cooperation was moderated by Dr. Bih-jaw Lin, Vice president of National Chengchi University, R.O.C. (Taiwan). The Discussants were:

1. Hon. Mark T.S. Chen, Legislator, Foreign National Defense Committee, Legislative Yuan, R.O.C. (Taiwan)

2. Dr. Jay Singh, Development Counselor, American Embassy in Tokyo, Japan

3. Amb. Nnmaree O’ Keeffe, Acting Director, Lowy Institute for International Policy, Australia.

Two important sessions were also held for discussion. One topic is about Taiwan Experience and its Implications. The moderator was Dr. Tzong-ho Bau and the discussants were: Minister Fatou Lamin Faye, Minister James L. Fletcher, Minister James L. Fletcher, Ambassador William Manuel Tapia Aleman, Amb. Wen-lung Tao and Dr. Ming-huei.

The second topic was Building Global Progressive Partnership that was moderated by Dr. Kwei-bo Huang and the discussants were: Mr. Andrew Kilpatrick, Mr. Ralph L. Cwerman, Dr. Hang Chang and Dr. Hisasue Ryoichi.

The guests took time to speak with the participants and they were so glad to meet CARITAS being recognized as an international NGO.

Taiwan’s contribution towards the achievement of the UN Millenium Development Goals:

1. Eradicating Extreme Poverty and Hunger

One concrete example of Taiwanese aid in action is the “360 Degrees” project that Taiwan has been promoting in the pacific island nations, as a result of which, by 2011, domestic production of fruits and vegetables in these countries has risen to 75% of the level of fruit and vegetable imports. Taiwan has collaborated with Nauru’s departments of health and education on the joint implementation of the Kitchen for Diabetics (KFD) Project, whereby two free breakfasts a week are provided to 800 kindergarten students, supported by efforts to develop the supply reasonably-priced vegetables. A project to boost food production in Nicaragua which involved the improvement of rice production techniques. In Gambia, the Five-year Rice Cultivation Program and Plan for Sustainable Management of Rice Production have brought about a substantial increase in the rice production.

2. Achieve Universal Primary Education

Taiwan has worked tirelessly to help developing nations strengthen their education systems, particularly primary education. For. Example, Taiwan provided assistance for the construction of satellite primary schools in Temaiku district of Kiribati and for the improvements of 19 schools in the outlaying islands of Kiritbati. Taiwan has also given financial support for Paraguayan’s Ministry of Education and Culture to implement IT training for teachers. In Gambia, Taiwan has given assistance to its free primary education initiative. In Mongolia, Taiwan has helped implement a scholarship for children and low-income families. In El Salvador, Taiwan has also provided support to enhance the quality of IT education by establishing digital learning centers in the primary schools.

3. Promoting Gender Equality and Women Empowerment

In 1998 Taiwan began providing support for women’s micro-finance program in Gambia by helping them to set up the Gambia Women’s Finance Association (GAWFA). The reason why GAWFA chose to target women as beneficiaries of its microfinance project was that the social status of women in Gambia was relatively low. Women have proved eager to make the most of any opportunity to improve themselves.

4. Reducing Child Mortality Rates, Improving Maternal Health, and Combating HIV/Aids, Malaria and other Diseases

Taiwan has dispatched medical teams to Burkina Faso, Sao Tome and Principe, and Swaziland and implemented long-term ongoing medical service provision in areas that has previously suffered from severe shortage of healthcare facilities.

In 2005, Taiwan established the Rainbow Clinic in Malawi which has one of the highest rates of HIV infection in the world. The Rainbow Clinic has provided treatment to over 2,500 patients. 

5. Ensure Environmental Sustainability

In 2008, Taiwan has made use of remote sensing and GIS technology to support environmentally sustainable development in Nicaragua and to enhance the country’s ability to protect itself against natural disasters. This technology has helped Nicaragua to map its national territory more accurately when a natural disaster occurs, satellite photographs can be provided promptly to evaluate the extent of the disaster and facilitate the taking of appropriate disaster response measure.

In 2009, Taiwan launched the “Lighting up Africa” project in Burkina Faso where at present there is a total of 50,000 solar powered lamps are already installed. Similar project was done in Papua New Guinea and six pacific island nations. In 2011, Taiwan also donated 150 solar-powered LED street-lamps to Nauru to support the “Low-carbon Island” medium-term development project.

6. Develop Global Partnerships for Development

Taiwan continues to collaborate and partnered with the following:

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)	Taiwanese consultants and business enterprises are participating in the EBRD’s Turn Around management programme and business advisory services.
Asia pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI)	In  2011, Taiwan donated funds to APAARI to support the implementation of agricultural sector collaboration projects.
AVRDC – The World Vegetable Center	Taiwan has been collaborating with the AVRDC in the strengthening the various vegetable and agricultural projects by providing training to agricultural specialists in partner-nations.
Young Americas Business Trust (YABT)	To help carry out projects to provide guidance for young entrepreneurs in the Americas.

 Taiwan Caritas is also glad for the numerous involvements of Taiwan government to international aids and supports to the many developing countries.