12th Taiwan in My Eyes 120h – “We Farm We Grow” Cultivates New Perspectives on Sustainable Agriculture and Food Futures

Co-hosted by the CTCI Education Foundation (CTCI EF) and the Taiwan Institute for Sustainable Energy (TAISE), the 2026 12th Taiwan in My Eyes 120h – “We Farm We Grow” successfully concluded in March 2026 with a results presentation and award ceremony. This year's program focused on the theme of "Safe and Sustainable Agri-food," addressing issues such as food security, agricultural technology, and sustainable production. A total of 58 teams from 28 universities and participants representing 39 countries registered for the competition, with 13 teams advancing to the final round. Bringing together students from 20 countries, the program encouraged participants to explore Taiwan's sustainable agriculture and food systems through 120 hours of field-based learning and cross-cultural collaboration, demonstrating the younger generation's commitment to global sustainability challenges.

Crossing Cultures to Explore Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems

Built around the concepts of field exploration and cross-cultural learning, Taiwan in My Eyes 120h forms teams consisting of one Taiwanese student and three international students of different nationalities. Through multicultural exchange and collaboration, participants develop communication, integration, and problem-solving skills while working in diverse teams. During the five-day program, participants visited six sustainable agriculture and food-related sites arranged by the organizers and independently expanded their research to a total of 76 additional locations across Taiwan. From agricultural production and water resource management to community-based sustainability initiatives, students gained firsthand insight into Taiwan's achievements and challenges in sustainable development.

Diverse Perspectives Spark New Ideas for Sustainability

In response to climate change and global food security challenges, the program adopted a combination of competition and experiential learning, challenging students to conduct observations, collect data, and synthesize findings within a limited timeframe. This approach helped cultivate critical thinking and systems analysis skills. In addition to exploring Taiwan's agriculture and food sectors through site visits, participants engaged with local communities and organizations, gaining fresh perspectives on sustainability through cross-cultural dialogue and exchange. This year's program also incorporated digital storytelling. Participants documented their experiences through multilingual short-form videos, generating a 256% increase in social media engagement and attracting more than 380,000 video views. The results highlighted the strong interest of younger generations in sustainability issues while further expanding the program's social impact.

International Collaboration Showcases Youth Leadership

Following comprehensive evaluation by the judging panel, the SEEDS team from National Central University was awarded first place. Team members from Taiwan, Vietnam, Indonesia, and India combined cross-cultural collaboration with field research to develop a sustainability proposal with strong future potential. Second place was jointly awarded to "Taïrritory" from National Taiwan University and Shí zài hǎo duì from Soochow University. Third-place honors were shared by "F4F (Farm for Future)" from National Chiayi University, "HARMONY" from Ming Chuan University, Sustainable "AggieVentures" from National Chung Hsing University, and "Sì yuán gòng gēng" from Feng Chia University, reflecting the diversity and quality of this year's sustainability proposals.

The judging panel unanimously praised the participants for their maturity in issue analysis, cross-cultural communication, and presentation skills, noting that the overall standard of submissions reached a new high. During the awards ceremony, Ambassador Eugene Chien, Chairman of CTCI EF, emphasized that food security and sustainable agriculture have become central global concerns amid climate change and evolving food system challenges. He encouraged participants to transform short-term learning experiences into long-term action and continue contributing to sustainable development through their future endeavors.

Expanding Sustainability Impact from Taiwan to the World

Taiwan in My Eyes 120h is more than a competition—it serves as a platform for connecting international youth and deepening engagement with local sustainability practices. Through cross-cultural exchange and field exploration, participants respond to sustainability challenges from diverse perspectives while building international networks for future collaboration. The program also provides an opportunity for Taiwan's sustainability achievements and experiences to be shared with young people around the world. Looking ahead, CTCI EF and TAISE will continue to expand the Taiwan in My Eyes 120h program, fostering greater international participation and exchange while empowering globally minded young leaders to transform ideas into action and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Group photo of participants at the final presentation and awards ceremony.

The SEEDS Team from National Central University won first place.