PRESS RELEASE 

JUNE 3rd 

Newly launched “Hans Van Baalen Scholarship” will promote research on EU and Taiwan  

Hans van Baalen, the late president of ALDE party and a historical figure for the liberal movement, left a legacy of building up EU-Taiwan economic and diplomatic relations. Today, we are honoured to announce a scholarship to carry his vision into the future.  

Throughout his successful political career, Hans Van Baalen has been a committed defender of Taiwanese freedom and democracy. The aim of the newly launched Hans van Baalen Scholarship is to offer a junior researcher the academic framework for deepening relations between Taiwan and the European Union. 

Strength in unity: An impressive coalition of partners  

The Hans Van Baalen Scholarship is the tangible result of collaboration between: 

• European Liberal Forum (ELF), foundation and think tank of ALDE party, with 47 member organisations across Europe.  

“Hans van Baalen wanted Liberals to unite. In Europe and all around the world. He believed in the power and dignity of every individual as well as the good that comes from peaceful and voluntary collaboration. The Hans Van Baalen Scholarship will continue his vision of deepening ties between Taiwan and the European Union", said Daniel Kaddik, Executive Director of the European Liberal Forum.  

• ALDE Party: the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats in Europe 

“Liberals stand up for democracy everywhere in the world. This is why the Hans van Baalen Scholarship is so important. At a time where our values are under threat from many sides, Europe’s relationship with Taiwan – a fellow liberal democracy – must be brought to the forefront”, stated Ilhan Kyuchyuk & Timmy Dooley, ALDE Party co-Presidents.  

• LYMEC: the pan-European Liberal Youth of ALDE Party 

“Hans Van Baalen fought deepening relations between Taiwan and the European Union on the bases of freedom, democracy, and solidarity. According to LYMEC, the scholarship is an opportunity to strengthen those visions”, mentioned Dan-Aria Sucuri, LYMEC President 

• The Taipei Representative Office in the EU and Belgium 

"We are honored to take part in this meaningful collaboration, to commemorate the spirit and legacy of President Van Baalen, who was a devoted defender of freedom and democracy, and an endearing friend of Taiwan", was the statement of His Excellency, Ambassador Ming-Yen Tsai. 

• Taiwan Foundation for Democracy  

“Hans Van Baalen has been a long-time supporter of Taiwan and an advocate of democracy and its values. The Taiwan Foundation for Democracy looks forward to hosting future Hans Van Ballen fellows, whose research will help further Taiwan-EU relations”. 

• Centre for Security, Diplomacy and Strategy (CSDS) of the VUB Brussels School of Governance 

“This partnership will allow us to further promote academically rigorous discussions on geostrategic developments in Asia and the Indo-Pacific region, focusing specifically on the EU and NATO relations with Taipei” said Prof. Dr. Luis Simon, CSDS Director. 

Potential topics for the scholarship include EU Strategic Autonomy and the role of EU-Taiwan relations, regional security, defence cooperation, intellectual property issues, commercial and trade interdependence in the context of ASEAN, and others. The scholarship will last for one year and the successful researcher will split their study period between Brussels and Taiwan.  

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Notes to Editor:  

You can find partner logos and images from the launch, open to use for press purposes, here. 

About the European Liberal Forum: The European Liberal Forum (ELF) is the official political foundation of the European Liberal Party, the ALDE Party. Together with our 47 member organisations, we work all over Europe to bring new ideas into the political debate, to provide a platform for discussion, and to empower citizens to make their voices heard. Find out more about ELF here. For press queries please contact Elina Baltatzi, Head of Communications ([email protected], +32(0)49 42 47 220) 

About the Centre for Security, Diplomacy and Strategy (CSDS) of the VUB Brussels School of Governance: CSDS contributes to a better understanding of the key contemporary security and diplomatic challenges of the 21st century – and their impact on Europe – while reaching out to the policy community that will ultimately need to handle such challenges. Our expertise in security studies seeks to establish comprehensive theoretical and policy coverage of strategic competition and its impact on Europe, whilst paying particular attention to the Transatlantic relationship and the wider Indo-Pacific region. Read more about CSDS here. For press queries, please contact Jurgen Smet, Communications Officer ([email protected]). 

About LYMEC – European Liberal Youth: The European Liberal Youth (LYMEC) is a vibrant community of young liberals from all over Europe. Since we have been founded in 1976 our goal has been to actively work for a united liberal Europe but also to be present on issues impacting our continent and its citizens. Issues such as the war in Ukraine, Climate Change, Youth Unemployment and Digitalization. Our goal is a Europe that cooperates more not less. A Europe that stands for freedom, peace, and prosperity. Welcome to find out more on our website. 

About the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy: The Taiwan Foundation for Democracy (TFD) is the first democracy assistance foundation established in Asia and is devoted to strengthening democracy and human rights in Taiwan and abroad. Its primary missions are to further consolidate Taiwan’s democratic system, promote democracy in Asia, and actively participate in the global democratic network. Building on the strength of political parties and civil society, the TFD enables Taiwan to positively contribute to the worldwide movement for democracy. Read more about the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy here. For press queries, please contact Olivia Yang, Deputy Director of International Cooperation Department ([email protected]).