Taipei: The head of Italian humanitarian group WeWorld has praised Taiwan’s public and private sectors for their indispensable support for children affected by the ongoing war in Ukraine. Marco Chiesara, President of WeWorld, emphasized the significance of these partnerships during his keynote address at the annual NGO Leaders Forum in Taipei.

According to Focus Taiwan, Chiesara highlighted the collaboration with Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and the Taiwan Fund for Children and Families (TFCF) as transformative. “Partnerships like the one with Taiwan’s MOFA and TFCF are so vital. They turn pledges into programs and concerns into concrete change,” Chiesara stated. This support has been instrumental for WeWorld in maintaining child-friendly spaces, ensuring operational heaters, facilitating connected schools, and sustaining hope for the future amidst the conflict.

Chiesara further underscored the urgency of the situation by stating, “Children cannot wait. They cannot wait for a ceasefire to find walls, for a construction budget to find a classroom, or for the next election to find psychosocial care. They need us now.” He detailed WeWorld’s recent collaborative project with Taiwan in Ukraine, which focuses on fostering family support and enhancing children’s mental health in Kyiv.

WeWorld’s partnership with MOFA and TFCF extends beyond Ukraine, as they have previously collaborated in conflict-affected regions such as Syria and Afghanistan, particularly after major earthquakes. The address took place during the 6th NGO Leaders Forum, a one-day event in Taipei funded by MOFA.

In his opening remarks, Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung said that the forum was an opportunity to review the successes of government-NGO collaboration and to explore ways to deepen public-private cooperation further. Lin emphasized Taiwan’s commitment to NGO diplomacy, which embodies values-based diplomacy centered on democracy, freedom, and human rights through tangible cooperative initiatives.

Lin also announced plans to establish an international NGO center in Taipei, aiming to serve as a hub for nongovernmental activities across the Indo-Pacific region, thereby reinforcing Taiwan’s role as a platform for cooperation and a reliable partner in the international community.