Sunday, May 6, 2012
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
April 20th Lecture on Democratizing Taiwan
Democratizing Taiwan Presentation by and discussion with the author: Prof. J. Bruce Jacobs
(h.t. to Jerome Keating)
Note: It is preposterous that this lecture is included under the umbrella of the French Centre for Research on Contemporary China. Taiwan IS NOT part of contemporary China! However the lecture itself should be interesting.
20 April (Friday) 14:30
B202 RCHSS Academia Sinica
Taiwan—together with India, Japan and South Korea—is one of only four consolidated Asian democracies. Democratizing Taiwan provides the most comprehensive analysis of Taiwan's peaceful democratization including its past violent authoritarian experiences, leadership both within and outside government, popular protest and elections, and constitutional interpretation and amendments. Using extensive field research including the conduct of many interviews with government and party leaders, journalists, academics and a wide variety of citizens over many years as well as substantial research into documents, newspapers and academic research, Professor Jacobs provides many new insights into Taiwan's democratization. He also analyses areas in which Taiwan continues to face difficulties.
J. Bruce Jacobs is Professor of Asian Languages and Studies at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. He received his PhD from Columbia University in 1975. Professor Jacobs has published numerous works on Taiwan and China over the past forty years.
The seminar will be held in English. The session will be chaired by Dr Paul JOBIN, Director of CEFC Taipei.
Contact: cefc@gate.sinica.edu.tw
French Centre for Research on Contemporary China - Taipei Office
Centre d’Etudes Français sur la Chine contemporaine (CEFC) - Antenne de Taipei
http://www.cefc.com.hk/taipei
Tel : (886-2) 2789-0873 - Fax : (886-2) 2789-0874
Why did Ma legalize prostitution -- to expand opportunities for his cronies to make money? The following lecture will look at the law's effects.
(h.t. to Jerome Keating)
April 15th
Center for Public Theology Event:
Tera van Twillert, head of the Pearl Family Garden (珍珠家園) Women's Center, to speak on the social welfare and care of sex workers in Taipei post-legalization.
In November 2011, the Ma government introduced changes to the Social Order and Maintenance Act (社會秩序維護法) making prostitution legal in Taiwan. Now 5 months later, what is the situation on the street?
In the debates leading up to the change, those for legalization as well as those against were equally critical of the proposed legislation. A major concern was that the Ma government was allowing for an expansion of the sex trade, without offering an adequate welfare framework that would care for the rights of the women involved. In this case, the responsibility of offering education and welfare for sex workers, and fighting exploitation and human trafficking would continue to fall back on the NGOs and churches already struggling with this burden.
In this first half-year following the legalization of prostitution, has the situation changed for sex workers and the organizations that care for them?
Further details can be found here.
Speaker:
Tera van Twillert is a long-term OMF mission worker, and team leader of the Pearl Family Garden (珍珠家園) women's center in Wan Hwa (萬華), a church-based welfare group that has a long history of supporting women involved in the sex trade. She will present a lecture on the current problems facing sex workers and the programs that church-based groups are running in order to address those problems. The presentation will be followed by an open Q&A session.
Event: The Work of the Gospel among Sex Workers in Taiwan
Speaker: Tera van Twillert, Pearl Family Garden (珍珠家園)
Date: 15 April, 2012
Time: 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Location: Large Conference Room – Center for the Study of Christian Thought
Taiwan Theological College and Seminary
20, Lane 2, Sec. 2 YangDe Blvd
Shilin Taipei 111
Note: This event will be held in Mandarin.
April 15th
Center for Public Theology Event:
Tera van Twillert, head of the Pearl Family Garden (珍珠家園) Women's Center, to speak on the social welfare and care of sex workers in Taipei post-legalization.
In November 2011, the Ma government introduced changes to the Social Order and Maintenance Act (社會秩序維護法) making prostitution legal in Taiwan. Now 5 months later, what is the situation on the street?
In the debates leading up to the change, those for legalization as well as those against were equally critical of the proposed legislation. A major concern was that the Ma government was allowing for an expansion of the sex trade, without offering an adequate welfare framework that would care for the rights of the women involved. In this case, the responsibility of offering education and welfare for sex workers, and fighting exploitation and human trafficking would continue to fall back on the NGOs and churches already struggling with this burden.
In this first half-year following the legalization of prostitution, has the situation changed for sex workers and the organizations that care for them?
Further details can be found here.
Speaker:
Tera van Twillert is a long-term OMF mission worker, and team leader of the Pearl Family Garden (珍珠家園) women's center in Wan Hwa (萬華), a church-based welfare group that has a long history of supporting women involved in the sex trade. She will present a lecture on the current problems facing sex workers and the programs that church-based groups are running in order to address those problems. The presentation will be followed by an open Q&A session.
Event: The Work of the Gospel among Sex Workers in Taiwan
Speaker: Tera van Twillert, Pearl Family Garden (珍珠家園)
Date: 15 April, 2012
Time: 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Location: Large Conference Room – Center for the Study of Christian Thought
Taiwan Theological College and Seminary
20, Lane 2, Sec. 2 YangDe Blvd
Shilin Taipei 111
Note: This event will be held in Mandarin.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
See how Chinese regimes systematically destroy other cultures and nations
Everyone in Taiwan should watch the movie, Tibet in Song, to see an example of how the brutal Chinese regime in China would seek to eliminate Taiwan's identity if it were to get control of Taiwan. Also, this movie serves as a good reminder of how the Chinese Nationalist Party regime in Taiwan has attempted to obliterate Austronesian culture in Taiwan.
Note how beautiful, rich, and deep the Tibetan folk song and dance is compared to the shallow, trashy Chinese Communist music that was imposed on the Tibetans in an attempt to replace their music. Authoritarian communist regimes have no regard for beauty, but seek to rapaciously use and distort any cultural element for propaganda.
This documentary, Tibet in Song, was filmed by Ngawang Choephel, a former political prisoner. In addition to assessing cultural degradation in Tibet, it captures the bald-faced schemes of China's government to destroy Tibetan identity and create a fictional Tibetan identity as a gateway to total replacement with the worst of Chinese Communist culture.
P.S. You can get this movie from Netflix.
Meanwhile in recent news, China has detained hundreds of Tibetans, who simply went to India to get training from the Dalai Lama.
If you are in the San Diego area, you might get a chance to see the Dalai Lama in April.
University of San Diego OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
The time has finally arrived. Beginning Monday, February 20 at 10 a.m., USD students, faculty and staff with a valid USD ID card will be able to request tickets for the Dalai Lama’s much anticipated talk, “Cultivating Peace and Justice.” The talk will be held at the Jenny Craig Pavilion (JCP) on Wednesday, April 18 at 1:30 p.m.
If you have a UCSD student ID, you'll be first in line. Go to www.sandiego.edu/dalailama/tickets to request tickets. Students can request one (1) ticket for $10. Faculty and staff will be permitted to request up to two (2) tickets for $25/each. Once you have submitted your ticket request and received a confirmation email, please proceed to the Jenny Craig Pavilion before 4 p.m. on Tuesday, February 21 to purchase your ticket(s). Please bring your valid USD ID card, confirmation email and cash or credit card for payment. No Campus Cash will be accepted.
If you are a member of the public, you might have a chance to get any remaining tickets: All unclaimed tickets will be sold during the public ticket sale beginning at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, February 22. Tickets will also be sold at the JCP Ticket Booth beginning at 11 a.m. on Monday, February 20.
Should you have any questions, please contact news@sandiego.edu.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Cogressman Mr. Ted Deutch expressed his support for Taiwan's democracy and freedom - used with permission
"I write to express my support for the people of Taiwan and their right to self determination and my strong support for ensuring a free and fair democratic election in January.
In 1979, the U.S. Congress affirmed its commitment to sustaining freedom, security, and economic opportunity in Taiwan through the passage of the Taiwan Relations Act. Over the last three decades, Taiwan has developed into a strong democracy that serves as a beacon of hope for those seeking freedom in the region.
In November 2011, the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs passed the Taiwan Policy Act which reaffirmed our support for Taiwan, its democracy, and the human rights of its people. Additionally, I, along with 180 of my colleagues signed a letter supporting the sale of F-16 C/D's to Taiwan.
It is my hope that January's presidential elections will be free from outside influence and reflect the will of the people of Taiwan and their strong commitment to upholding democracy.
As a Member of Congress, I will work to ensure that our nation is committed to fulfilling the Six Assurances and to continuing a strong economic and strategic relationship with Taiwan and her people.
Sincerely
Ted Deutch
Member of Congress"
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Apply Now for the Formosa Foundation's 2012 Ambassador's Program in D.C.
APPLY TODAY!
2012 Ambassador Program
The Formosa Foundation is accepting applications for the 2012 Ambassador Program from now through March 15, 2012. The 2012 Program will take place in Washington, D.C. from June 18 through 29. Up to 30 college/graduate students and young professionals will be selected from the United States and Taiwan to participate in this highly competitive “congressional boot camp.”
Application forms are now available. The U.S. applicants please complete the 2012 U.S. Application Form; Applicants who are currently in Taiwan and/or are Taiwanese national please use the 2012 TW Form.
The Ambassador Program, in its 10th year, has over 250 future leaders graduate and held over a thousand meetings with individual members of Congress and their staff. With each passing year the program has grown stronger, attracting not only some of the foremost authorities on Taiwan and Asia-Pacific issues from across America, but also garnering the attention of powerful lawmakers as well. The Ambassador Program teaches skills to help change the hearts and minds of our elected leaders and policymakers in Washington on the most critical issues concerning Taiwan. Formosa Foundation ambassadors have received praises as being Capitol Hill's most articulate and effective advocates for the U.S.-Taiwan bilateral relations.
Detailed program description and previous program reports are available on our website.
Sincerely,
Formosa Foundation
www.formosafoundation.org
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Tel: 213.625.1991
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About the Ambassador Program
The Formosa Foundation offers three factors critical to social movements: political opportunity, organizational capacity and framing ability. Through its Ambassador Program the Foundation offers the best hands-on training for students to develop grassroots and campaign skills and to become leaders.
The Ambassador Program combines in-house training with on-the-ground activist work. Participants in the Program develop the expertise, analytical framework, and network they need to effectively promote Taiwan. Up-and-coming activists can learn about the issues affecting Taiwan first-hand.
The 2012 Ambassador Program will take place in Washington D.C. June 18- 29. The Formosa Foundation will provide for participants' training, workshops and lodging for the duration of the Program. Participants are responsible for their own meals and travel expenses. See the 2011 Program report and former ambassadors in action here.
BECOME EFFECTIVE ORGANIZERS FOR JUSTICE
The Formosa Foundation seeks to preserve the American values of democracy and human rights through broadened involvement of future leaders in the making of U.S. policy. The Ambassador Program uses U.S. foreign policies on Taiwan and China as case studies to provide participants with opportunities to:
Understand the intricacies of U.S. foreign policy making and its impact;
Gain insight from experienced professionals on the art of advocacy;
Acquire skills to effectively present views to policy makers, media and the public.
MEET FACE TO FACE WITH U.S. LAW MAKERS
The Ambassador Program is a unique training program of its kind. We recruit students from the United States and Taiwan, who will work together to help develop a closer relationship between the U.S. and Taiwan. The Program provides opportunities to meet with United States Congressmen and Senators to discuss U.S. policies toward Taiwan.
DEVELOP GRASSROOTS CAMPAIGN SKILLS AND NETWORKS
The Ambassador Program has demonstrated results from participants that extends beyond the two-week program. The Program prepares tomorrow's leaders towards building a pro-Taiwan community on and beyond the college campus. These congressional visits put Taiwan on the forefront of America's political agenda, and change the hearts and minds of American policy makers about Taiwan.
QUALIFICATION AND SELECTION
The Program is designed primarily for recent college graduate or current college and/or graduate students who support the advancement of human rights, democracy and the right of self-determination for the people of Taiwan. Selection criteria include academic excellence, extracurricular activities, participation in community affairs, and interest in promoting U.S.-Taiwan relations.
Up to 30 applicants will be selected for the 2012 Program, including up to 7 to be recruited from Taiwan. Applicant can be US citizens, permanent residents, or Taiwanese national.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Program application package includes the following requirements. See page 4 of application form for mailing instructions.
1. 2012 Application Form (Applicants who are currently studying/residing in Taiwan, use the 2012 TW Form.)
2. 500-word Personal Statement
3. Copy of most recent Transcript
4. Two Letters of Recommendation
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