Department of Civil Affairs

The “2025 Taipei Participatory Budgeting Education and Promotion Course Proposal Exchange Forum” took place today (June 14)! A total of 19 schools submitted 22 simulated proposals. After professional evaluation, 4 were selected as Outstanding Proposals, 7 as Merit Proposals, and 11 received Honorable Mentions. The proposals addressed a wide range of topics including transportation, social care, pedestrian safety, and environmental improvement, demonstrating the students’ passion for public affairs and their innovative ideas for city development.

All student proposals were showcased at the forum venue, where Secretary-General Lee Tai-Hsin of the Taipei City Government engaged directly with participating students, commending their thoughtful and well-prepared ideas. During the event’s highlight, the “Championship Showdown,” Secretary-General Lee, together with a panel of five academic experts—Professor Lung-Teng Hu (Department of Public Administration and Policy, National Taipei University), Professor Chun-Ta Li (Department of Social and Public Affairs, University of Taipei), Associate Professor Hsin-Chung Liao (Department of Public Administration, National Chengchi University), Assistant Professor Yu-Chang Su (Department of Public Policy and Management, Shih Hsin University), and Assistant Professor Yang-Chung Chen (Department of Public Affairs and Administration, Ming Chuan University)—carefully evaluated the proposals and selected the top three entries. Certificates of recognition were presented to encourage student engagement in public affairs. In addition, students whose proposals were awarded merit prizes were invited to present their concepts and share their experiences. Representatives from relevant government agencies attended the forum to listen to and exchange ideas with the younger generation, demonstrating Taipei’s commitment to fostering civic awareness and supporting youth participation in municipal development. 

The City’s participatory budgeting education program for senior high schools is a joint initiative led by the Department of Civil Affairs, the Department of Education, and each District Office, with strong support from the Taipei City Government-Academia Alliance and dedicated faculty mentors. Under the guidance of experienced teachers, students engaged in brainstorming and teamwork to develop creative and feasible proposals, fully embodying the spirit of civic literacy while offering thoughtful suggestions for the improvement and future development of Taipei’s municipal policies. Examples include Datong High School’s proposal “Safe Steps with Barriers”, Chengyuan High School’s “Chengyuan’s Better Way Forward”, and Nanhu High School’s “Life’s Tough Road: Walking Is No Easy Task”, all of which reflect students’ concerns about the safety of their commuting environments and their aspirations to improve pedestrian infrastructure and urban traffic safety. Meanwhile, Dazhi High School’s proposal “Art Across Generations—Building Connections Between Youth and Seniors” highlights the value of intergenerational interaction, promoting the transmission of language and art while fostering empathy and cultural continuity. Zhonglun High School’s project “Dry Floors, Safe Steps: No More Slippery MRT Stations” creatively addresses everyday inconveniences in public spaces, aiming to enhance overall quality of life through practical innovation. Dali High School’s proposal, “Stray Animal Shelter Project,” integrates the concept of rehabilitation with animal sheltering, offering a fresh perspective on animal protection. The proposal reflects students’ deep concern for social issues and their proactive spirit in contributing to the public good.

The Taipei City Government’s Department of Civil Affairs remains committed to promoting participatory budgeting education and promotion courses, inspiring both students and citizens to engage in public affairs. As civic awareness continues to deepen and expand, the city looks forward to building a more inclusive, thoughtful, and vibrant future for Taipei!