Page 38 - 國合會2016電子書-英文

2 Case Study

Diplomatic Alternative Military
Service Project
Taiwan Youth Overseas Service
(Alternative Military Service)

Lin Tse-yan (right) and Lai Cheng-jung, draftees of the diplomatic alternative
military service, carrying out cutting tests of seed potatoes in the Swaziland
research station.

In 2016, the TaiwanICDF country earlier. During the training, Since 2001, over 1,000 draftees
dispatched 173 draftees overseas, the TaiwanICDF invited senior have been dispatched overseas
including 77 draftees (15th group) from draftees who have been discharged and 95 of them have joined the
October 2015 to September 2016 and or are about to be discharged to international assistance initiatives of
96 draftees (16th group) from October share their experience in the special the TaiwanICDF after their military
2016 to September 2017. These subject study and explain to the service, accounting for 22 percent of
servicemen participated in overseas draftees how to combine their all TaiwanICDF expatriates. The Taiwan
technical missions and technical skills with the local conditions and Youth Overseas Service has effectively
assistance projects. work contents to produce unique attracted youths to join international
and feasible research reports. In aid work and become an important
Strengthening language addition, the resident technical and force in Taiwan’s efforts to advance
proficiency and adaptability project teams arranged instructors international development work.
within the shortened term of from the partner countries to give
military service the draftees intensive courses
To maximize the skills of the on language, local culture and
draftees and enrich the content of professional terms required for the
the alternative military service, the service to help them successfully
TaiwanICDF added the requirement adapt to local life. 22 %
of a special topic report in their Draftees of the diplomatic
work. Under supervision of the alternative military service have Proportion of TaiwanICDF
project manager and technical played an important role in Taiwan’s expatriates who are
staff, draftees with specialized skills foreign aid work. With passion and discharged draftees
propose innovative and practical enthusiasm, these young servicemen
solutions according to local and not only contributed their efforts
project needs by integrating their and expertise to our embassies
expertise with their observations of and representative offices and
the local communities. This task not technical mission projects, but also
only encourages them to put their brought new inspiration with the
abilities to practice and deepen their latest knowledge and skills acquired
involvement; it also stimulates their from school. Especially, they came
interest for foreign assistance work. into development assistance
Furthermore, as the term for with enthusiasm and leave with
alternative military service was memorable experience that enriches
shortened, starting from this year, their lives and changes their views
the TaiwanICDF also cut back the of the world. They will become the
professional training in Taiwan new faces of Taiwan’s international
from six to four weeks, so that the assistance work and carry these
draftees can arrive in the partner memories throughout their lives.

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