The Global Cooperation and Training Framework (GCTF) held an international workshop in Taipei from September 9 to 11, 2025, focusing on media literacy and the protection of democratic information spaces. The event, titled “Building Resilient Democracies: The Role of Media Literacy in Defending the Information Space,” marked GCTF’s 10th anniversary.
Organized by the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei (CTOT) and Radio Taiwan International (RTI), the workshop gathered more than 139 participants, including 34 international representatives from 26 countries. Attendees included government officials, media professionals, academics, and civil society leaders from regions such as North America, Europe, and the Indo-Pacific. They discussed strategies for enhancing democratic resilience against threats to information security.
Opening remarks were delivered by CTOT Executive Director Marie-Louise Hannan and Cheryl Lai, Chairperson of RTI.
During the three-day event, topics covered included election monitoring, countering foreign influence efforts, fact-checking practices, investigative journalism techniques, and risks associated with emerging technologies like generative AI. Sessions also addressed public-private collaboration in information governance, improving media access for vulnerable groups, and challenges faced by younger generations. A youth-focused session called “Fact or Fiction” encouraged dialogue between young leaders and experts about recognizing propaganda and influence operations.
An international cooperation panel concluded the program by emphasizing cross-border collaboration to strengthen democratic resilience. On September 11, participants visited sites highlighting Taiwan’s democratic history and media landscape.
GCTF was established in 2015 by Taiwan and the United States to advance global security through international partnership. Japan joined as a full partner in 2019; Australia followed in 2021; Canada became a full partner in 2024. Since its inception, GCTF has organized over ninety workshops worldwide involving more than ten thousand participants from one hundred thirty-five countries on issues including public health, cybersecurity, disaster relief coordination across borders https://www.gctf.tw/, resilient supply chains management strategies https://www.gctf.tw/, energy security policies https://www.gctf.tw/, as well as media literacy initiatives.
Past co-hosts have included countries such as the United Kingdom, Guatemala, Sweden, the Netherlands, Israel, St. Lucia and Finland—demonstrating GCTF’s reach as a global platform for addressing shared challenges among democracies.
For further details about GCTF activities or upcoming events visit https://www.gctf.tw/.