今年，慈心基金會迎來了魯斯學者（Luce Scholar）Isabel Ramos。她對於國際非政府組織（NGO）如何因應「永續農地經營、生態保育與糧食安全」等相互關聯的挑戰深感興趣，並希望藉此深入了解相關實踐。

由美國亨利魯斯基金會（Henry Luce Foundation） 所設立的「魯斯學者計畫（Luce Scholars Program）」是一項體驗型獎學金，為新興領導者提供深入亞洲地區的專業實習機會。宗旨在於促進更深厚、且具同理心的跨文化連結。

Isabel先前曾於美國從事環境科學研究，並在有機農場工作。今年，她將探索台灣的在地食物系統及慈心所推動的各項計畫。自開始實習以來，她與台灣各地的慈心農友交流，深入了解慈心與花蓮南安布農族社區的合作、有關「綠色保育標章」的申請與驗證流程、陽明山友善農業輔導計畫，以及「里山倡議國際夥伴關係（IPSI）」等國際合作內容。

在花蓮的訪查期間，Isabel 也向南安原住民農友了解他們如何透過教育計畫，在小學推廣並保存小米等具有文化意義的作物。

她也參觀了慈心於台北保育小站的綠保15週年特展，透過這些經驗對環境教育與提升生態意識的多元方式，有了更深層的體會。此外，Isabel 也參與了 IPSI 的主題工作小組討論。會後她跟慈心夥伴分享：「我的背景主要是學術研究，有機會了解台灣農民與製造商、供應商及通路合作推廣有機產品的實務運作，真的非常有趣。同時，我也學到了許多關於永續供應鏈管理及國際組織協作的實務經驗，這都要歸功於慈心在 IPSI平台上的努力。」

接下來的一年中，Isabel 將協助慈心撰寫部落格文章、進行西方國家的相關案例文獻回顧研究，並參與田間實作及國際倡議活動。
她表示：「據我所知，在我成長的地方，很少有組織像慈心這樣兼顧經濟與環境永續，協助農民轉型為有機耕作。慈心的模式真的非常鼓舞人心。雖然我才剛開始實習，但已經學到許多，也非常期待未來一年能與慈心一同成長。」

Isabel 是慈心第一位國際實習學者，期盼透過這次有意義的跨文化交流，深化彼此在有機農業與生態保育領域的全球視野。

Tse-Xin welcomes Luce Scholar

Cross-Cultural Exchange in Action: A Luce Scholar Joins Tse-Xin to Explore Sustainable Agriculture and Conservation in Taiwan

Tse-Xin Organic Agriculture Foundation is honored to welcome Luce Scholar Isabel Ramos, who will be spending the next year in Taiwan exploring the intersections of sustainable farmland management, conservation, and food security. Through this collaboration, Tse-Xin and the Luce Scholars Program aim to foster meaningful cross-cultural learning and exchange, deepening mutual understanding of how ecological agriculture can support both people and the planet.

This year, Tse-Xin will be hosting Luce Scholar, Isabel Ramos who is interested in exploring how international NGO’s are working to address the interconnected challenges of sustainable farmland management, conservation, and food security. 

The Luce Scholar program, run by the Henry Luce Foundation is an experiential fellowship that offers emerging leaders immersive professional placements in Asia. The program’s goal is to create stronger and more compassionate cross cultural relationships.

Isabel has previous experience working in environmental science research and organic farms in the U.S and throughout the next year is excited to learn more about local food systems in Taiwan and the various programs run by Tse-Xin. Since beginning her placement, she has had the opportunity to meet with farmers across Taiwan – learning more about Tse-Xin’s collaboration with the Bunun people of the Nan'an community in Hualien, the Green Conservation label application and certification process, the Yangmingshan Friendly Agriculture Counseling Program, and the International Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative (IPSI).

During her visit to Hualien, Isabel met with indigenous farmer Tina Uli, learning more about the educational initiatives they’re working on to promote and preserve culturally important crops such as millet in elementary schools in Taiwan. She also had the opportunity to visit Tse-Xin’s Green Conservation Exhibit in Da’an. She says these experiences have allowed her to expand her perspective on environmental education and alternative ways to raise awareness for environmental issues.

Moreover, Isabel had the opportunity to join IPSI’s Thematic Working Group Discussion:

“As someone whose main background is in research, it’s been so fun to learn

about the practical ways in which farmers collaborate with manufacturers, suppliers, and vendors to sell their organic products in Taiwan. Additionally, it's been really cool to learn more about sustainable supply chain management and the work of various international organizations through Tse-Xin’s IPSI partnership.”   

Throughout the next year, Isabel will be helping Tse-Xin research blog articles, conduct literature reviews on relevant case studies from Western countries, and assist in hands-on engagement in the foundation’s fieldwork and international initiatives. 

“To my knowledge, there is not an organization where I’m from that is as robust

and committed to helping farmers transition to organic in a way that is both economically and environmentally sustainable. Tse-Xin’s model is really inspiring and though I’ve only just started my placement, I’ve already learned so much and am overall really excited to work with Tse-Xin throughout the next year.”

As Isabel is Tse-Xin’s first international fellow, we are excited to engage in a meaningful cross-cultural exchange that will broaden both the Luce Scholar’s and the foundation's global perspective in organic agriculture and conservation.