posted by: taiwanaid
About the 2023 NGO Fellowship Program
If you would like to know more about the 2023 Fellowship Program, we invite you to read this article written by Michelle Kuo.
From October 1st to October 29th 2023, Taiwan AID welcomed ten Fellows from South and Southeast Asia countries as part of the first edition of NGO Fellowship Program.
This Program, which aims at promoting collaboration and sharing between Asia NGO professionals, allows the selected Fellows to participate in many events. In the first week of the program, they attended workshops on topics such as NGOs in Taiwan, Public Diplomacy in the Digital Age and Volunteer Management.
They also had the opportunity to engage in insightful discussions and share their own experiences with Taiwanese NGO professionals during round table sessions. Apart from the workshops and the roundtables, the Fellows visited some of Taipei’s civil society-related sites, providing insight into the local Taiwanese context. As one fellow, Syeda Samara Mortada, put it:
“The knowledge shared was incredible and the growth curve of Taiwan, particularly fascinating for me as a development practitioner based in the global south”.
Syeda Samara Mortada, From one nation to another, Dhaka Tribune, 19 Dec 2023.
At the heart of the program, the Fellows embarked on a three-week placement with Taiwanese NGOs. These host organizations are actively involved in addressing issues such as migrants' rights (One-Forty), LGBTQIA+ rights (Taiwan equality campaign), gender equality (The Garden of Hope Foundation), education (Kid’s Bookhouse), community development (Island Time and TCMCAA), as well as social welfare (Eden Social Welfare Foundation, Harmony Home Foundation and Taiwan Fund for Children and Families).
During this placement, the Fellows took part in the day-to-day operations of the host organizations, sharing their experience and their difficulties. According to the Fellow Jerlyn Rabaca, “This hands-on experience is instrumental in providing a practical understanding of the work being carried out by these organizations. It allows the fellows to actively engage in projects and initiatives that align with the goals and mission of their respective home organizations.”
After this month-long experience in Taiwan, the Fellows expressed that they were left with a significant impression, as well as valuable knowledge and new connections. Jerlyn Rabaca mentioned that “Regional solidarity is a key outcome of the program, as it encourages neighboring countries to cooperate and address common challenges like gender equality and social inclusion”, reflecting the Fellowship’s impact.
The 2023 NGO Fellowship, being the first of its kind in Taiwan, allowed more cooperation between Asian countries. We believe it can set a precedent for future collaboration initiatives and encourages long-lasting cooperation among participants. It also allows the Fellows to nurture a regional professional network, as well as encourages “future partnerships, information exchange, and collaboration on various projects and initiatives” (Jerlyn Rabaca)
After this successful first NGO Fellowship, Taiwan AID is pleased to announce that applications are open for the 2024 Fellowship.
You can find more information and register here.