Digital Minister Audrey Tang launched the 2023 Presidential Hackathon International Track May 5 in Taipei City, urging global participation in the game-changing event.

Geopolitical tensionsare impacting all and sundry, Tang said. The time is ripe for new ways of broad-based conflict resolution centered on co-creation and enhanced communication, she added.

According to Tang, such afarsighted approach underscores the Ministry of Digital Affairs’ commitment to promoting participatory policymaking in promoting sustainable development and transitioning to a net-zero world. Open data and digital technology are key to bringing people together from all walks of life in tackling common challenges, she said.

It is important to reach consensus among different groups when developing viable solutions, Tang said, adding that this maximizes benefits, minimizesbarriers and spurs innovation.

Themed Free the Future: Open, Digital and Green, the fifth edition of the competition is accepting entries until May 31. It is overseen by the Office of President, organized by the Cabinet, implemented by the moda and executed by Taipei Computer Association. 

According to the moda, the theme is in sync with the U.N.’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals and efforts to realize the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Theevent will further spotlight the growing importance of borderless cooperation, as well as people-public-private partnerships and technology, in delivering good governance and improving societal well-being, the ministrysaid.

Former competition winners BRSDM@Er-Lin (2022), Team B.E.N.Z (2022), Office Farmers (2021) and A/B Street (2021) made a special appearance at the launch. They updated on the progress of submitted proposals and shared thoughts on successful participation.

Other dignitaries and officials in attendance included H.E. Ambassador Clare Bowman, St. Vincent and the Grenadines; H.E. Ambassador Robert Kennedy Lewis, St. Lucia; H.E. Ambassador Carlos JoseFleitas Rodriguez,Paraguay; H.E. Ambassador Donya Lynex, St. Kitts and Nevis; Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Roy Chun Lee; Deputy Minister of the Public Construction Commission Yeh Jer-liang; National Science and Technology CouncilExecutive Director Sheen Horn-jiunnand Ministry of Transportation and Communications Director General Wang Mu-han.

Launched in 2019, the Presidential Hackathon International Track features the creative contributions of 147 teams from 34 countries to date. It is a central plank in the government’s Taiwan Can Help platform of engagement, and another example of how the moda is galvanizing global action in striving to Free the Future.

For more information, please visit the official website (https://gov.tw/cYQ) or contact Ms. Chang ([email protected]).