Former Dean Joseph S. Nye, Jr. of Harvard Kennedy School and Taiwanese Foreign Minister Hung-mao Tien signed an agreement in July of 2001 establishing the HKS-Taiwan Leadership Program. The new program offers a unique opportunity for collaboration between Harvard Kennedy School and Taiwan’s current and emerging leaders.

As part of Asia Programs, the Taiwan Leadership Program will include practical training for a select group of 13 Taiwanese government leaders and top scholars who will participate in various residential executive education programs at Harvard. They will also conduct applied research on economic and social developments in the region. In addition the program will support institutional exchange between Harvard faculty and Taiwan’s political and academic leadership. Annual workshops and conferences are held to discuss the implications of WTO entry by both China and Taiwan.

“The program offers a unique opportunity to enhance relationships in the region, build cultural understanding and mutual respect among various entities in the East Asia region, and advance excellence in public policy and global leadership in Taiwan and the United States,” said Anthony Saich, director of the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation.