New York, NY — August 2025
Sixty members from the Formosa Association of Student Cultural Ambassadors (FASCA)—representing the Albany, New York, and Princeton chapters—recently visited the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. The trip gave Taiwanese American students a rare chance to observe international diplomacy in action and reflect on Taiwan’s role in global affairs.
The visit was jointly organized by the three FASCA chapters with support from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York (TECO-NY) Cultural Center. Director Yi-Ju Wang (王怡如) explained that the goal was to expose students to multilateral cooperation while highlighting Taiwan’s ongoing contributions. “The UN symbolizes peace and cooperation, and Taiwan has long contributed in areas such as public health, humanitarian aid, and technological innovation. By witnessing this, FASCA students can become bridges between Taiwan and the international community.”
Taiwan’s Role in the Global Community
Although Taiwan is not a UN member, it has consistently supported global health, humanitarian relief, and technological innovation. Its contributions in disaster response, medical diplomacy, and sustainable development have earned worldwide recognition.
Lishan Chang (張麗賢), Deputy Director-General of TECO-NY, spoke to the students about Taiwan’s diplomatic challenges and resilience.
“Taiwan is committed to contributing to the global community despite the obstacles it faces,” she said. “It is important for the next generation to take pride in Taiwan’s determination.”
Students also attended a briefing titled “Taiwan at a Glance” by Michael Yen-Kai Chen (陳言楷), Deputy Director of the UN Task Force. He highlighted Taiwan’s democratic values, technological strengths, and humanitarian impact, reminding the students that Taiwan’s influence extends far beyond formal recognition.
Student Impressions
The UN experience left a strong impression on students, many of whom described it as both eye-opening and inspiring.
Edison Lee (李翊瀚), Secretary of the FASCA New York Chapter, said: “I found this visit very helpful and insightful.”
Flora Wu (吳語涵), Vice President of the Albany Chapter, added: “I believe Taiwan’s UN membership would be a significant benefit, as Taiwan possesses abundant resources and talent.”
Charlene Leung (梁曉雯), Vice President of the Princeton Chapter, expressed her pride after speaking with a tour guide: “They said the UN truly recognizes the contributions of Taiwanese people to global issues such as disaster relief. This makes me very proud.”
Kaylee Wu Gordon (吳澤美), also Vice President of the Princeton Chapter, reflected on the UN’s mission: “I learned that the UN has 17 different goals, such as ending hunger, and these aren’t just the responsibility of governments; individuals can also make a difference.”
For many, the visit was not only an educational program but also a personal call to action, reinforcing their identity as cultural ambassadors for Taiwan.
Building Bridges for the Future
The visit reflected FASCA’s mission to empower second-generation Taiwanese American youth to represent Taiwan’s values and achievements abroad. Through leadership training, cultural engagement, and opportunities like this UN visit, FASCA equips students to act as bridges between Taiwan and the wider world.
“This visit gave our students the chance to see the international system in action,” said Director Wang. “It was a powerful reminder that even though Taiwan does not have a seat in the UN, Taiwanese youth abroad can still raise Taiwan’s voice.”
As the program concluded, students recognized their responsibility to make Taiwan visible. One summarized: “Visiting the UN gave me a bigger picture of the world. It made me realize that even if Taiwan does not hold a UN seat, we can still represent Taiwan through our actions.”
Commitment to Global Engagement
The UN visit underscored Taiwan’s ongoing commitment to peace, cooperation, and sustainable development, even without formal membership. It also reinforced FASCA’s role in nurturing the next generation of leaders—youth who not only celebrate their heritage but also advocate for Taiwan’s place in the world.
“As long as our youth are willing to learn, participate, and speak out, Taiwan will never be invisible,” Wang concluded. “Through their eyes and voices, the world will continue to see Taiwan as a partner in peace, democracy, and global progress.”
Reported by FASCA Princeton — Jocelyn Yeh (任婕如)
