On Friday, August 9, 2024, the Minquan Community Development Association and the “Mutual Prosperity” initiative under Taipei City University’s University Social Responsibility (USR) program jointly organized a healthy, heartwarming intergenerational walking event at the local Minzu Park, adopted by the Minquan Community. The event not only promoted the physical and mental well-being of older adults but also offered faculty and students an opportunity to step outside the classroom and immerse themselves in community life. This created a platform for students to engage in local community service, deepening their sense of care and underscoring the true meaning of university social responsibility. The day was bright and sunny, lifting the spirits of all participants. Seniors from the Minquan Community gathered early at the association to await the event’s kickoff. With assistance from Taipei City University faculty, students, and community volunteers, the event began with a short saxophone performance. Following this, the community taiko drumming team led a warm-up session before participants set off on a pleasant walking activity at Minzu Park. The "Mutual Prosperity" program at Taipei City University aims to integrate university resources with community needs to drive social responsibility initiatives and foster sustainable community development. This collaboration with the Minquan Community Development Association is a testament to this mission, focusing on enhancing the quality of life and well-being of older adults. During the walk, seniors, accompanied by students, strolled leisurely along park trails. Students not only provided support but also shared insights about healthy living with the participants. Chiu Hsiu-lan, the executive director of the Minquan Community Development Association, expressed her gratitude for Taipei City University’s support. She highlighted how the event brought joy to the seniors and fostered community cohesion. She hoped for more opportunities for such collaborations in the future to contribute to the community’s growth. Dr. Chuang Min-da, a director at Taipei City University, emphasized the university’s commitment to fulfilling its social responsibilities through community collaboration. He expressed his vision for the “Mutual Prosperity” initiative to continue evolving into “Mutual Coexistence,” building partnerships with more communities to contribute to societal progress and development. During the event, officials from the New Taipei City Social Affairs Bureau, including the bureau chief, division heads, Yonghe District leaders, Youth Affairs Bureau representatives, and local neighborhood chiefs, gathered to discuss integrating USR with the challenges of an aging society and fostering harmonious coexistence within communities. Discussions during the meeting were insightful and constructive. The bureau chief underscored the challenges posed by an aging society and the need for proactive solutions to improve the quality of life for seniors. She praised Taipei City University for its active role in fostering intergenerational exchange and community cooperation. The division head highlighted the issue of isolation among older adults and suggested innovative, university-community collaboration models to create platforms for greater social participation. The section chief proposed developing neighborhood support networks to ensure seniors receive care and attention in familiar environments. A Youth Affairs Bureau representative advocated for the involvement of young volunteers, who could not only provide assistance but also learn to interact with people of different generations, fostering social harmony and a sense of responsibility among youth. Local chiefs emphasized the diverse and specific needs of their communities, hoping for long-term partnerships with universities to design tailored programs and activities. Chiu Hsiu-lan shared the community's efforts in promoting age-friendly environments and called for more resources and broader societal support to enhance these initiatives. Dr. Chuang concluded by reaffirming Taipei City University’s commitment to serving as a vital bridge through research, coursework, and social practice activities to support the aging transformation and community development. All participants agreed to strengthen future collaborations, aiming for tighter bonds between universities and communities to promote integration in aging societies and achieve shared prosperity. This meeting laid a solid foundation for future partnerships, with the hope that through collective efforts, sustainable social development can be steadily advanced.

Implemented by Center for Teaching and Learning Development
Date: 2024/08/09