SFSU Delegation Visits Mayor Chu
SFSU Delegation Visits Mayor Chu, Exchanging Innovative Thinking
New Taipei City Mayor Eric Chu received the delegation led by the San Francisco State University (SFSU) President Leslie E. Wong at the city hall on September 17. Both sides exchanged opinions on “Happiness Safeguarding Station” policy and organic vegetable promotion. The mayor expressed warm welcome to the visiting guests.
During the meeting, President Wong stated that he made a visit to the 7-Eleven stores to learn more about the implementation of the Happiness Safeguarding Station policy. He was impressed by the well-trained clerk who gave him a detailed briefing introducing the welfare measure. He also lauded the plan for its creativity and originality.
Mayor Chu pointed out there are approximately 2,000 convenient stores across the city. The service these stores offer ranged from receiving tax/traffic fines payment, selling bus/train tickets to various fields. Given the accessibility of convenient stores, city government signed a contract with the four major brands of convenient stores, including 7-Eleven, Family Mart, OK Mart and Hi Life.
According to the policy, children in straitened circumstances can have a free meal offered by the stores participating in the program. The city government will be able to reach out to the kids in needs through the personal information which the children are required to offer in the meal-taking. The meal-taking request will lead to the subsequent assistance from social workers and the caring from schools. Mayor Chu stressed that this effort aimed to discover and help the kids in need of foods or other assistances but went unnoticed.
In addition, Chu noted that students attending primary and middle schools in the city can enjoy school meals containing organic vegetables once a week. This arrangement ensured the health of young diners and educated the parents about the advantages of organic fruits and vegetables. Aside from that, it also promoted the organic agriculture industry in the island.
President Wong indicated that he was impressed by the two polices. He concluded that as an international metropolis, San Francisco will change for the better by incorporation of creative ideas, innovative courses and international exchange with its foreign counterparts.
According to the Secretariat of New Taipei City Government, the SFSU delegation will conduct a four-day tour (between September 15 and 18) in Taiwan. In addition to the meeting with mayor, the group will explore the city, visiting Fu Jen Catholic University, the Lin Family Mansion and Garden and Everlight Corporation.