AIT Director Sandra Oudkirk receives Grand Medal of Diplomacy

AIT Director Sandra Oudkirk receives Grand Medal of Diplomacy

2024-07-02

Sandra Oudkirk, the director of the American Institute in Taiwan is set to conclude her term later this month. Ahead of her departure, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung on Tuesday conferred her with a Grand Medal of Diplomacy for her contributions over the past three years. Lin thanked her for her efforts to deepen Taiwan-U.S. relations, adding that there had been substantial progress on the fronts of culture, security and trade. Let’s hear from both of them.

Lin Chia-lung
Foreign minister
It’s not just to recognize her contribution but also reaffirm our commitment to further enhancing Taiwan-U.S. relations. Sandra, once again congratulations on this much-deserved award.

Sandra Oudkirk
AIT director
Of an eventful three years as director of the American Institute in Taiwan. As I prepare to depart I take pride in the work that we have done together to bolster U.S.-Taiwan ties across a wide range of issues: from supporting Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities to promoting global supply chain resilience and deepening people-to-people ties. In this career where moving is part of the job, I generally prefer to say “See you later,” rather than “Goodbye.” I hope to see you all again soon.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confers the medals of diplomacy to individuals who have made significant contributions toward diplomatic affairs. There are three kinds of honor: the Grand Medal of Diplomacy, the Special Medal of Diplomacy and the Friendship Medal of Diplomacy.

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AIT孫曉雅將離任林佳龍頒"特種外交獎章"感謝貢獻

2024-07-02

美國在台協會處長孫曉雅即將離任，外交部長林佳龍今天（2號）特別頒贈"特種外交獎章"，表彰她三年多來，對增進台美雙邊關係的貢獻及努力。林佳龍更表示感謝她過去三年為深化台美實質夥伴關係做出的貢獻，因為在她任內，台美在安全、貿易、文化等各領域都有許多進展。

[[外交部長林佳龍]]
“不只是表彰她的貢獻，更要重申致力於進一步加強台美雙邊關係的決心，孫曉雅處長，再次恭喜妳”

[[AIT台北辦事處長孫曉雅]]
“回首過去3年，我在美國在台協會的工作，我們一同攜手見證了美台關係的擴展和深化，在支持台灣自我防衛能力，增進全球供應鏈韌性，深化人與人之間的聯繫等方面，所做的努力感到自豪，在這不斷調任的職業生涯，我通常更喜歡說再見，而不是告別，希望很快就能再見到大家”

外交部為了表揚配合政府政策，對外交工作具有貢獻人士，會頒發"外交獎章"，獎章的區別又分為特種外交獎章、績優外交獎章及睦誼外交獎章等，這回頒發給孫曉雅的，就是屬於"特種外交獎章"。

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