立法院韓國瑜院長於本（9月20）日下午在國民黨張嘉郡委員、民進黨蔡易餘委員、民眾黨陳昭姿委員及國際事務處林晨富處長等人陪同下，接見「國際領袖基金會」董繼玲總會長及傑龍（Joel Szabat）主席等一行43人。今天適逢立法院第二會期的開議日，江啟臣副院長也特別利用代理主持院會施政總質詢的空檔，到場向訪團成員一一致意並合影留念。
In the afternoon of September 20, President Daniel K.Y. Han met with the 43-member delegation of the International Leadership Foundation, including Founding President Chiling Tung and Founder Joel Szabat. In attendance were KMT Legislator Alice Chang, DPP Legislator Tsai Yi-Yu, TPP Legislator Chen Gau-Tzu, and Director Kevin C.F. Lin of the International Affairs Department. September 20 coincided with the opening day of Legislative Yuan’s second session. Vice President Johnny C. Chiang took the opportunity to greet visiting members and take group photos with them during a break while hosting the preliminary sitting of the general interpellation on government policy.
韓院長今天下午主持雙十國慶晚會記者會結束後，旋即趕回立法院會見訪團。他首先向訪賓表達誠摯的歡迎，對於董總會長長期在美國致力推動亞裔發展、培養國際青年領袖的努力和卓越成就，表示感佩，並盛讚董總會長的成功，就如同一盞明燈，為許多亞裔青年，照亮道路、指點迷津。韓院長強調，亞裔長期以來在美國公共政策領域上並非主流，尤其因天生害羞的個性，曾經被戲稱為「啞裔」。然而，透過董總會長的睿智領導及用心培育，許多亞裔年輕人已在美國各界嶄露頭角，甚至升任白宮高級官員，這些非凡成就令人敬佩。
President Han rushed back to the Legislative Yuan to receive the delegation soon after presiding over the press conference for the Double Ten National Day Gala this afternoon. He first extended a sincere welcome to the delegation members and expressed his appreciation for President Tung’s long-term efforts and outstanding achievements in promoting the development of Asians in the U.S. and cultivating international youth leaders. He praised President Tung, comparing her success to a beacon of light that has illuminated the path and guided the way of many Asian youths. President Han stressed that Asians have long been marginalized in the public policy arena of the U.S., and were once referred to as the “silent Asians” due to their naturally more reserved personality. Thanks to President Tung’s wise leadership and dedicated efforts, however, many Asians have emerged in various sectors and even risen to senior positions in the White House. These accomplishments are undeniably impressive and deserving of admiration.
韓院長進一步提及，儘管立法院不同黨派委員經常因意見分歧而偶有激烈爭論，甚至登上國際新聞版面，但第11屆第1會期仍成功通過攸關人民權益的55項重大民生法案，顯見朝野各黨終能秉持大愛精神，共同為國計民生做出貢獻，期待各界也能看見立法院為社會及人民利益所努力的成果。
President Han further noted that although legislators from different parties often have heated debates over differing opinions, which occasionally make international headlines, 55 important bills related to the rights and interests of the people of Taiwan were passed in the first session of the current 11th Legislative Yuan. This demonstrates that all parties can collaborate to benefit the nation and its people. He also hoped that the efforts of the Legislative Yuan for the betterment of society as a whole can be widely acknowledged by all sectors.
董繼玲總會長致詞表示，台美關係的持續深化與擴大年輕人才的培育是「國際領袖基金會」未來的發展重點。感謝韓院長今天特別邀朝野三黨代表齊聚一堂與訪團成員見面，充分展現台灣民主政治的多元與協同合作精神，盼此次拜會能向院長及在座委員請益，有關台灣未來願景及台美兩國交流合作方向。
President Tung, in her speech, noted that the continuous deepening of Taiwan-U.S. relations and cultivation of young talents will be the focal points for the future development of the International Leadership Foundation. She thanked President Han for inviting representatives from the three major political parties to meet with the delegation members, which fully demonstrates the diversity and partnership spirt of Taiwan’s democracy. She expected to be able to discuss with President Han and the legislators present Taiwan’s future vision and the direction of exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.
雙邊交流時，張嘉郡委員指出，立法院有47位女性委員，占全體113位委員的41%，顯示出台灣民主政治的進步與性別平等的成就，她感佩董總會長致力於培育亞裔年輕領袖，並提到韓院長及其家人也特別關心教育議題，從事培育人才的教育事業，為台灣年輕人提供了寶貴的學習機會，盼藉此協助奠定國家未來發展的基礎。
During the meeting, Legislator Alice Chang mentioned there are 47 female members in the current Legislative Yuan, accounting for 41% of the total 113 members, which showcases the improvements and gender equality achievements in Taiwan’s democratic politics. She admired President Tung’s dedication in cultivating Asian youth leaders and noted that President Han and his family, similarly, care deeply about education issues. In fact, they are committed to providing quality education opportunities to Taiwanese youths, hoping to lay the foundation for the nation’s future development.
蔡易餘委員表示，雖然在議會中委員們意見偶有分歧，但大家的目標都是希望讓台灣更好並走入國際，他也呼籲各界共同努力，讓台灣在國際舞台上持續發光，也感謝美國在國際場合長期大力支持台灣。
Legislator Tsai Yi-Yu commented that even though members of the Legislative Yuan have differing opinions occasionally, their common goal is to help Taiwan enhance its international visibility. He called on all sectors to work together to help Taiwan continue to stand out globally, and thanked the U.S. for its strong support for Taiwan on various international platforms.
陳昭姿委員感謝董總會長為培育亞裔人才所做出的各項努力，並針對新冠肺炎疫情造成亞裔在美國及世界各地面臨歧視的問題向董總會長請教。董總會長回應表示，疫情期間他們透過台灣協助捐贈及分配大量個人防護裝備（PPE)，為美國的抗疫工作做出貢獻，展現了台灣對美國的深厚關懷。
Legislator Chen Gao-Tzu expressed her gratitude for President Tung’s continuous efforts in cultivating Asian talents, and asked about the discrimination Asians have faced in the U.S. and other parts of the world after the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, President Tung said they facilitated the donation and distribution of a substantial amount of personal protection equipment (PPE) with Taiwan’s help during the pandemic, contributing to the efforts in combating the pandemic and demonstrating Taiwan’s profound regard for the U.S.
韓院長接續強調，台灣的安全必須依賴三大支柱：「保護中華民國」、「守護民主制度」及「維護美台關係」，台灣在國際上越黯淡就越危險，越閃耀就越安全，立法院全體委員將持續致力推動國會外交以守護民主台灣，也期許各位訪賓能發揮自身影響力，繼續給予台灣支持和協助。
President Han continued to emphasize that Taiwan’s safety relies on three pillars: “protecting the Republic of China (Taiwan),” “safeguarding our democratic system,” and “preserving the U.S.-Taiwan relationship.” The more Taiwan stands out on the world stage and the less marginalized it is, the safer it becomes. Thus, all legislators will continue to promote parliamentary diplomacy to defend Taiwan’s democracy. We also hope that the visiting members can leverage their influence to continue supporting and assisting Taiwan.
韓院長特別提到，台灣目前已有15所大學因少子化而退場，他熱切期盼美國的優質大學能來台設立分校，利用現有的校舍和設施，造福本地學生並吸引周邊國家的青年來台求學。他表示，人才是台灣最大的資產，透過深化與美國的高等教育合作，台灣將能在全球競爭中保持領先地位。
President Han mentioned that 15 universities have closed due to the declining birth rate in recent years. It is his sincere hope that renowned universities in the U.S. will establish branches in Taiwan in the future, utilizing existing campuses and facilities for the benefit of local students, as well as to attract students from neighboring countries to Taiwan for overseas studies. He stated that talent is Taiwan’s greatest asset. By deepening its cooperation with higher education institutions in the U.S., Taiwan will be able to keep ahead of global competition.
雙方嗣就台灣教育改革方向、台美教育交流及提升台灣高教競爭力等議題廣泛交換意見，氣氛熱絡愉快。此次拜會歷約40分鐘，在雙方合影及互贈紀念品後圓滿結束。
Both sides exchanged opinions on topics including the direction of Taiwan’s education reform, education exchanges between Taiwan and the U.S., and enhancing Taiwan’s higher education competitiveness in a warm and pleasant atmosphere. The meeting lasted approximately 40 minutes and came to a successful end after taking group photos and exchanging souvenirs.
