The Taipei Representative Office in the EU and Belgium hosted the “Taiwan Studies Day”, supported by Taiwan’s Ministry of Education (MOE), to highlight the growing presence of Taiwan Studies programs across Europe and to strengthen academic collaboration between Taiwan and European universities.
The event builds on the 2024 collaborative project “Towards a Connected History: European and Taiwanese Perspectives—Small Countries Facing Big Neighbors,” co-organized by Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain) and the National Chengchi University (NCCU) and supported by the Taiwan Studies Program of the Ministry of Education in Taiwan. This year’s symposium expanded on those discussions, focusing on how small nations navigate the challenges of powerful neighbors and how Taiwan’s experience can inform global scholarship.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Jhy-Wey Shieh emphasized that Taiwan’s story — as a dynamic democracy, global innovator, and cultural hub — offers valuable lessons for societies worldwide. He further noted that Taiwan’s experience in navigating complex geopolitical realities while fostering economic innovation and social resilience serves as an inspiring model for small nations globally.
Speakers included Professor Winder Wen-Te Chang (Leiden University), Professor Laurence Van Ypersele (UCLouvain), Policy Officer Inge Mangelschots (Ghent University), and Professors Lieven Buysse and Lutgard Lams (KU Leuven). Each introduced their Taiwan Studies programs, highlighting academic cooperation, joint teaching initiatives, and cultural exchange projects supported by the MOE.
A central panel titled “How Small Nations Face Powerful Neighbors” encouraged dialogues on geopolitical resilience and comparative history from both European and Taiwanese perspectives. The event concluded with a networking session promoting new partnerships in Taiwan-related research and education.
The Taiwan Studies Programs at universities in Belgium and the Netherlands aim to deepen understanding of Taiwan’s society, economy, and culture through courses, workshops, and student research exchanges. Through these initiatives supported by the Ministry of Education, the Taipei Representative Office in the EU and Belgium continues to foster international engagement and showcase Taiwan’s innovation, democracy, and cultural vitality on the world stage.
