The DPP launched a new generation Legislature plan on Wednesday, aimed at citizens from immigrant backgrounds in Taiwan. The initiative seeks young people who are passionate about public service, training them as assistants in DPP legislators’ offices. The program aims to cultivate a new wave of leaders who may run for future legislative positions.
The DPP has been a long-term advocate on the issue of new immigrants in Taiwan. In 2023, they established a new immigrant affairs department. This year, the department launched the training program, targeting citizens aged 18 to 30 from immigrant backgrounds. Applications opened on Wednesday and will remain open until August 9, with new recruits expected to work in October and November this year.
Speaking at a press conference, DPP Legislator Lo Mei-ling (羅美玲), head of the new immigrants department, pointed out that more than 10% of Taiwan’s youth are the children of immigrants, making them a rising force in society.
Mai Yamada (山田摩衣), a New Taipei city councilor is a child of a Taiwanese mother and a Japanese father. Yamada spent eight years working as a congressional aide before running for the first time and being elected as a city councilor in 2022. Yamada says her achievement is due to the knowledge she had gained at the Legislature. Yamada encourages other young people to seize the chance and bring more diversity to Taiwan’s democratic landscape.