Missed the Oslo Freedom Forum in Taipei, Taiwan? Join us on October 23 for an afternoon of inspiring talks and performances featuring some of the world's bravest activists — a masterclass in the struggle for freedom around the globe. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster today. Confirmed speakers include: *Masih Alinejad, irrepressible Iranian journalist and women's rights activist founder of My Stealthy Freedom, an online movement opposed to the mandatory dress code, and the #whitewednesdays…
From fist fights in the parliament to protests that seem to rotate through Taipei every few months, Taiwan's democracy is oftentimes placed under intense scrutiny. “Look at how messed up Taiwan’s government is,” I’d hear often. But critics often forget this obvious precursor to democratic maturity: age. Taiwan is known as the beacon of democracy in Asia, as the only Han society to know freedom today. However, people also forget how young this fragile democracy is, or how recent…
The first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage.
A thriving youth civil society.
An evolving post-colonial national identity. Taiwan has much to celebrate. But as we cheer the achievements of Taiwan's democratic government and civil society, our celebration is bittersweet. We are appalled by the PRC government's increasingly aggressive initiatives to discredit Taiwan's achievements and legitimacy in the global arena. We mourn the loss of diplomatic relations with two more nations…
Come and hear Shawna Yang Ryan read from her brand new novel, Green Island. Green Island is a story of love, betrayal, and family, set against the backdrop of a changing Taiwan in the twentieth century. February 28, 1947—Trapped inside the family home amidst an uprising that has rocked Taipei, Dr. Tsai delivers his youngest daughter, the unnamed narrator of Green Island. In the following weeks, as the Chinese Nationalists act to crush the opposition, Dr. Tsai becomes one of the many thousands…
Despite being one of the world's youngest successful democracies, Taiwan continues to be excluded from the United Nations. Among many consequences, that means Taiwan is unable to fully participate in and contribute its resources to global institutions such as the World Health Organization and forced to enter international competitions under the name of "Chinese Taipei." The United Nations Membership for Taiwan – Keep Taiwan Free March & Rally has become a well-known event for many residing…
[caption id="attachment_11876" align="alignnone" width="610"] Photo Credit: MengLing Hsieh[/caption] Despite being one of the world's youngest successful democracies, Taiwan continues to be excluded from the United Nations. Among many consequences, that means Taiwan is unable to fully participate in and contribute its resources to global institutions such as the World Health Organization and forced to enter international competitions under the name of “Chinese Taipei." Keep Taiwan Free and…
