The 2024 Asia and Oceania Changemaker Tour
The 2024 Asia and Oceania McCain Global Leaders participated in their second in-person module of the program, their regional Changemaker Tour in Taipei, Taiwan (November 10 – 15, 2024).
Day 1: Welcome and Introduction to Taiwan
The Asia and Oceania Changemaker Tour began with a welcome and a chance for the cohort to reconnect following their first in-person engagement, the 2024 Leadership Experience.
Global Advisory Council Member Jean Sung joined the delegation to foster informal mentorship within the cohort and the development of regional networks. She serves as head of the Philanthropy Centre, Asia, for J.P. Morgan Private Bank and spoke with the cohort on the philanthropic industry and the importance of giving back to one’s community.
The delegation visited the hosting partner of the Asia and Oceania Changemaker Tour, the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy (TFD). TFD is the first national democracy assistance foundation established in Asia. This non-partisan institution works to expand Taiwan’s participation in the global movement of democracy and strives to consolidate democratic values at home. The cohort engaged in a conversation with the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy to learn more about the country’s democratic governance and the important work done at TFD.
The first day of the Asia and Oceania Changemaker Tour concluded with a visit to the International Republican Institute’s Taiwan office for a country introduction and briefing. The delegation engaged with IRI for an in-depth conversation on the island’s political history to better understand the current political climate both internally and on the global stage.
Day 2: Defending Democracy Through Civil Society
The second day focused on the vibrant NGO and civil society industry in Taiwan for the Leaders to better understand Taiwan’s approach to human rights, democracy, media, and more.
The delegation met with a variety of NGOs working on human rights and democracy in Taiwan, such as Freedom House Taiwan, Central News Agency, the American Institute of Taiwan, Taiwan FactCheck Center, the Taiwan Association for Human Rights, and Taiwan Tongzhi Hotline Association, an LGBTQ+ rights advocacy organization.
The afternoon included a visit to the Taiwan Foundation for Women’s Rights Promotion and Development, an organization that serves as a bridge for dialogue between the government and private sector for the advancement of women’s rights in Taiwan. The Leaders had the opportunity to tour the center’s 2024 exhibit on women’s economic freedom and discuss the work they do to support and provide resources to the women of Taiwan.
The second day of the Asia and Oceania Changemaker Tour concluded with a cultural learning experience. The delegation participated in a cooking class, making local delicacies and immersing themselves in Taiwanese culture.
Day 3: The Taiwanese Response to Authoritarianism
Day three consisted of various site visits and meetings with Taiwanese Government officials and organizations to provide the Leaders with an up-close view of the current political climate of Taiwan and how the government operates.
The delegation visited and met with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a cabinet-level ministry that is responsible for diplomacy and foreign relations. The conversation focused on the work that the ministry does regionally and globally as it relates to defending Taiwanese interests.
The Leaders met with the National Security Council of Taiwan, which is directly under the President’s chairmanship, to advise on national security issues.
The delegation then met with Member of Parliament Puma Shen. Mr. Shen is a scholar, lawyer, and educator recently elected to the Legislative Yuan in 2024 as a member of the Democratic Progressive Party. The Leaders engaged in conversation with him about his top policy priorities of human rights, youth political involvement, and information warfare.
The cohort toured the Legislative Yuan as they learned about the history, significance, and operation of Taiwan’s parliamentary system.
The delegation visited Kuma Academy, an NGO that aims to prepare a pre-war mentality for civilians and cultivate self-defense capabilities and will to defend Taiwan. Kuma Academy provides knowledge and skills to help people sustain themselves and recognize disinformation operations in both peace and wartime situations.
The third day of the Asia and Oceania Changemaker Tour ended with a visit to Ciyou Temple and Rahoe Street Night Market to further explore Taiwanese culture.
Day 4: Exploring the History and Culture of Taiwan
The final day of the Asia and Oceania Changemaker Tour gave the cohort members an in-depth view of Taiwanese history and culture.
The leaders began the day with a visit to the Chaing Kai-Shek memorial to learn about the history and influence the ruler had over Taiwan.
The delegation then visited a 5th-generation family-owned tea farm to learn about the significant impact tea production has on the country’s economy and culture. The Leaders learned about the tea production process and visited the family’s tea house to sample and learn about the variety of tea grown in the Pinglin district of Taiwan.
The Asia and Oceania Changemaker Tour concluded with the ceremonial Shifen Sky-Lantern release.
