WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 25, 2024) – The McCain Institute at Arizona State University (ASU), in partnership with the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, led a delegation of its Asia and Oceania McCain Global Leaders (MGL) to Taiwan, November 10-15, as the first stop of the 2024-2025 MGL Changemaker Tours. The visit centered around the theme of defending democracy and follows Senator John McCain’s legacy of visiting Taiwan—his last trip to the island was in 2016.
The five participating MGLs, who are part of the 22 total members of this year’s cohort, have expertise in human rights, international law, and national security. They include Social Development and Gender Equality Advocate Bilguun Erdenebat from Mongolia, Toitū Te Whenua Director of Policy Natalia Fareti from New Zealand, Survey Executive at the Ministry of Manpower Alex Lew from Singapore, Lawyer and Gender Justice Advocate Huma Nasir from India, and Counterterrorism and National Security Expert Abdul Rahman Rahmani from Afghanistan.
During the trip, the group met with government officials at Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the President’s National Security Council, and Member of Parliament Puma Shen. They also met with experts from NGOs, including the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, Freedom House, the International Republican Institute, and the Taiwan FactCheck Center. In addition, the delegation toured cultural sites and rural villages across the island.
“Taiwan’s democratic success is a roadmap for the global community. This visit allowed the McCain Institute and the delegation of McCain Global Leaders to better understand the vibrant environment of human rights, freedom, and democracy that exists in Taiwan today,” said McCain Institute Assistant Director for Global Leadership Initiatives Scott Nemeth. “As we work to foster the next generation of character-driven leaders in the spirit of John McCain, the Changemaker Tours create unique opportunities for MGLs to strengthen their personal networks and gain insights to bring back home as they work to reinforce democracy and expand freedom in their own countries.”
The European members of the 2024 cohort will visit the Balkans in February 2025 as the next stop on the MGL Changemaker Tours. Follow along on the McCain Institute’s Instagram and Twitter/X.
Learn more about the McCain Institute’s McCain Global Leaders Program HERE.
About the McCain Institute at Arizona State University
The McCain Institute is a nonpartisan organization inspired by Senator John McCain and his family’s dedication to public service. We are part of Arizona State University and based in Washington, D.C. Our programs defend democracy, advance human rights and freedom, and empower character-driven leaders. Our unique power to convene leaders across the global political spectrum enables us to make a real impact on the world’s most pressing challenges. Our goal is action, not talk, and like Senator McCain, we are fighting to create a free, safe, and just world for all.
About Arizona State University
Arizona State University has developed a new model for the American research university, creating an institution that is committed to access, excellence and impact. ASU measures itself by those it includes, not by those it excludes. As the prototype for a New American University, ASU pursues research that contributes to the public good, and ASU assumes major responsibility for the economic, social and cultural vitality of the communities that surround it.
