The 8th Interethnic Interfaith Leadership Conference Day 3

The 8th Interethnic Interfaith Leadership Conference continues its third day with a keynote speech delivered by His Honorable Congressman Kerry Bentivolio from the United States.

In his speech titled, “A Pivot to Asia with Moral Clarity,” Congressman Bentivolio praised the democratic system that Taiwan people enjoyed, and believes that one day “this [democracy system] will be duplicated in mainland China.” Congressman Bentivolio continues the speech mentioning the universal values the founding fathers of America fought for were “equality, rights, liberty and democracy” and it was important that everyone around the world enjoys the same universal values. He thanked everyone at the conference for securing these values. Towards end of the speech, Congressman also called for the release of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Liu Xiaobo and his wife, Liu Xia.

After the Congressman speaks, the conference begins a panel of reviewing the democratization of Taiwan. This panel is led by former member of Taiwan Legislative Yuan Ms. Laya Namo’h, and formed by Professor Lee Yeau-tarn from Taiwan’s National Chengchi University, Professor Shih Cheng-Feng from Taiwan’s National Dong Hwa University, Mr. Mayaw Komod from the Department of Aborigines Affairs of the Democratic Progressive Party, Ms. Pisuy Bawnay from Taiwan’s National Dong Hwa University, and Mr. Peng Ge-Yuan from Taiwan’s National Taiwan University. The panel discussed the history of Taiwan’s democratization and also shared their experience. This panel also reviewed Taiwan’s today’s democratic situation and its balance of power between the Taiwan Han Chinese and the aboriginals.

During the Falungong panel, the delegation includes Ms. Theresa Chu from Taiwan Association for Free Communication, Doctor Huang Shi-Weu from International Care Association for Organ Transplantation, Doctor Chen Chi-Yu from National Taiwan University Hospital, and the wel-known activist Mr. Chung Ding-bang. The main focus of Falungong Panel is to emphasize the torture received by Falungong practitioners inside China, which many are in a form of organ harvesting.

In the afternoon, the conference welcomed a large delegation from Hong Kong. Young generations of civic movement leaders, include Ms. Ashley Chau, Mr. Tommy Cheng, Ms. Bonnie Leung, Ms. Chen Yuhsin, Mr. Eddie Chan, and Mr. Johnson Yeung, bring their experience and observations from Hong Kong to the conference by using powerpoint and vivd images. Ms. Chen Yuhsin, is working as a special correspondent of Radio Free Asia in Kong Kong, she shared her experienced as a Hong Kong journalist surviving inside Mainland China. After the Hong Kong panel, the conference enters a discussion panel of reviewing the cross Taiwan Straight relations. This panel is led by Mr. Yang Sen-Hong, a senior media person, Mr..Lu Jiun-Wei from Taiwan Public Policy Association, and Mr. Wang Kong-nan from Taiwan’s National Chung Hua University.

Today’s events also include two special lectures, one is “Leadership in Society of Cultural Pluralism,” lectured by Mr. Ger Yeong-Kuang, Member of the Control Yuan of Taiwan; and second lecture called “What can we learn from the Magnitsky Legislation led by Dr. Han Lianchao, vice president of Initiatives for China/Citizen Power for China.