Doors to Diplomacy Participants

National Experimental High School at Science-Based Industrial Park (2006 CyberFair Project ID 4654)
Taiwan, Hsinchu
Official Status: Final Project: Ready for Judging
Teacher:
Category: 1. Local Leaders

We estimate 16 student(s) from 11 to 10 will work on this entry.

Description of Our Community: Lian Chia-en was born and raised in Taipei, and it was a great surprise that at age 20, he chose to complete his military service in West Africa, doing many great things in Burkina Faso. A great interest in Lian Chia-en arose ever since. Lian Chia-en opened the eyes and hearts of the Taiwan people and brought their interests to the faraway country of Burkina Faso. He allowed 1.2 million people in Taiwan to connect with the friends in Africa. What a beautiful and miraculous coming together! In Taiwan, whenever one mentions Lian Chia-en, everyone’s eyes will light up and they begin to smile, because we are proud of Lian Chia-en. He did what most of us never even thought of doing. As we researched and admired Lian Chia-en, we hope that there will be more Lian Chia-ens that emerge in Taiwan.

Project Description: In this research project, research on the individual person is our main focus. We chose to focus on Taiwan’s talented youth—Lian Chia-en. IN November of 2001, Lian Chia-en gave up the chance to gain a higher position in the ranks to join the first ever diplomatic alternative military service, going all the way to Burkina Faso. He practiced medicine and engaged in public service activities such as the program of exchanging litter for clothing, digging wells, holding free clinics, and building orphanages. In a short period of a year and eight months, he had contributed so much to Burkina Faso and was deeply appreciated by the all of Burkina Faso. We will track Lian Chia-en’s contribution to West Africa, his values, and his story of growing up as the main thrust of the research project. We hope that through this research, more Taiwanese youth will be willing to step off this island and be engaged in more international public service activities.

Click Here to View Project Narrative