Monday, January 21, 2013

Formosa Foundation -- now accepting Ambassador Program applications

The Formosa Foundation is now accepting online applications for its prestigious student Ambassador Program.

The program takes place in Washington, D.C. from June 17-28, 2013.
Applications, including required documents are due March 15, 2013.

To apply to the 2013 Ambassador Program visit our website at
formosafoundation.org.

The Ambassador Program provides a unique opportunity to gain valuable professional experience and build leadership skills. The program is designed for college and/or graduate students who support the advancement of human rights, democracy and the right of self-determination, and are interested in promoting U.S.-Taiwan relations. Selection criteria include academic achievements, extracurricular activities, participation in community affairs, and interest in U.S. public and/or foreign policy.

The program is an intense two-week curriculum aimed at inspiring college and graduate students to advocate for human rights and democracy. The program combines both advocacy and education and brings supporters of democracy into direct contact with experts who know the issues and more importantly with elected leaders in Congress who create policies that affect U.S. – Taiwan relations.

Challenging young people to be concerned with and advocate for freedom and democracy is the heart and soul of the program. Ambassadors are encouraged to take an active and meaningful role in civic affairs and to develop and sustain an appreciation for the role of individuals in supporting democratic values. Furthermore, the program helps Ambassadors recognize that they have a responsibility in shaping government policies, and provide them with the opportunity to voice their concerns to American policymakers.

Since our founding in 2001, the Formosa Foundation has been on the forefront of the movement to put Taiwan on U.S. political agendas. Our organization has focused on building relationships, networking with leaders and creating a fertile environment that nurtures the spread of both democracy and human rights. The annual Ambassador Program is by far the most ambitious effort made by any organization to confront current U.S. policy and general beliefs about Taiwan. Because of our efforts, major think tanks and politicians throughout the country have begun debating the current policy and are fundamentally reconsidering what Taiwan means to the U.S.

We hope that you will share this email and encourage eligible young people to apply to the 2013 Ambassador Program.

Thank you,

Terri

Terri J. Giles
Executive Director, Formosa Foundation
3015 Walnut Grove Ave. Suite A
Rosemead, California 91770
625.569.0606 - Phone 625.569.0605 - Fax www.formosafoundation.org

Friday, January 18, 2013

Sunday, January 13, 2013

January 13, 2013 Hòe-tōa 火大 March

(Early marchers were less concentrated. The crowds got bigger at time went on.)
The signs read 火大 "Hòe-tōa" meaning "very angry" or "about to explode with anger" at the current government.

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Why Do Austronesians Still Vote for the KMT?, Part 2

The Associated Press wrote an article about the loss of Austronesian languages (and by implication culture) in Taiwan. See: Taiwanese Identity article

Here is yet another reason any Austronesian Taiwanese person should never vote KMT, the very ones who set up a system to destroy all non-Mandarin languages and cultures, particularly non-Chinese-derived languages and cultures.

Any supposed bones that the Chinese Nationalist Party on Taiwan have throne to the Austronesian peoples in Taiwan are simply ways of lulling acquiescence to the ongoing degradation and destruction of their own cultures.

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Why do Austronesian Taiwanese still vote for the KMT?

President of ROC in Exile -- Ma's new years speech: "The people on the two sides of the Taiwan Strait are all ethnic Chinese..."

Why do the Austronesians of Taiwan still vote for the KMT?