National Culture Conference Focuses on Local Participation: Technology Empowers Youth to Return to Rural Areas

(CNA Reporter Chao Ching-yu, Taipei, 12th) The southern regional forum of the 2026 National Culture Conference was held today. Ke Yung-chuan, the presenter for the 'Local Cultural Power' topic and CEO of the Social Enterprise Center at the College of Management, National Taichung University of Education, stated that because of technology, young people returning to their hometowns will no longer be an act of giving up, but a choice of a new lifestyle.

Sharing his insights during the session on 'Local Cultural Power: Resilience × Sustainability × Co-prosperity,' Ke noted that in the past, when news reports covered youth returning to their hometowns, headlines often read 'Tech Guy Turns to Farming.' Today, reports are more likely to say, 'Youth Creativity Sparks New Waves on the Island.' 'In the future, young people returning to their hometowns will no longer be about giving up on something or failing to survive [in the city], but about choosing a new lifestyle and truly participating in local culture,' he said.

Ho Mei-hui, Chairperson of the Louyoung Cultural and Educational Foundation, shared a quote from NVIDIA founder Jensen Huang, who said that AI robots will change how humanity works. 'I also want to tell young people that the more expensive housing prices in the city get, the more opportunities there will be in places like Xiluo. As long as you have excellent skills in applying digital tools, you can work from anywhere,' she stated.

While AI provides a niche for youth to return, it also creates the problem of simplifying the process of cultural participation. Chang I-sheng, CEO of the 'Most Beautiful Rural Story House in Taiwan,' responded to questions from youth onsite and online, stating that young people returning home need to cultivate their ability and conviction to communicate, persist, and share. The government, on the other hand, should provide a friendly environment and build the value of returning, a support system, and sustainable policies.

Lin Hung-yi, Chief Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, stated in a press release that this year's National Culture Conference is themed 'Future Tense.' It will gather opinions through four regional forums, two professional forums, and one 'youth special session.' These insights will be consolidated into a consensus for future policy implementation at the official assembly on September 20, collaboratively outlining the administrative blueprint for the 'Cultural Future Generation' in 2030. (Editor: Lung Po-an) 1150612

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