【2026 iNGO Academy】 Youth Travel × Regional Revitalization × Cultural Inclusion

The iNGO Academy brought young students to Hsinchu and Taichung for a three-day, two-night learning journey. Through site visits and meaningful local dialogue, students explored how regional revitalization is taking root across different local contexts in Taiwan. From the transformation of traditional industries and urban regeneration to Indigenous cultural preservation and social innovation, every stop revealed new possibilities for sustainable local development.

During the in-depth visit to Hsinchu, students first travelled to Old Pot Rice Noodles, where they experienced the process of making traditional rice noodles and learned how cultural preservation and innovative design can create new value for traditional industries. Following the visit, Director-General Lin Yu-Chih of the City Marketing Department engaged in a dialogue with students, sharing how Hsinchu City promotes regional revitalization through urban regeneration initiatives. Through his professional insights and discussion, students gained a deeper understanding of how historic spaces such as Dongmen Market have been revitalized into vibrant community hubs that blend cultural heritage with youth creativity.

The journey then continued to Guguan in Taichung, where students experienced the vitality of Indigenous youth returning to their communities to revitalize and carry forward traditional culture. Through the perspectives of local youth and the ways they share their culture with wider audiences, students learned about the Atayal people’s wisdom of coexisting with nature. They also explored the culture and industry behind Lishan high mountain tea, witnessing how cultural heritage can become a driving force for local development.

The final stop was BULAO 125, operated by the Hondao Senior Citizen's Welfare Foundation, where students observed innovative responses to an aging society. Through thoughtful design and community-centred services, they saw how ageing itself can become a continuation of value, fostering sustainable models that connect industry, culture, and community needs.

This journey was more than a simple field trip—it was a transformative learning experience rooted in the land and its people. Through firsthand participation, students witnessed how regional revitalization is actively shaping communities across Taiwan and reflected on how they themselves might engage with local communities and respond to social needs. These valuable local experiences will serve as important foundations for young people as they engage in international affairs and create future social impact.