For Immediate Release
Washington DC – June 24, 2024
Contact: (202) 547-3686

OPENING RECEPTION OF FAPA’S 8TH ANNUAL EMERGING LEADERS WORKSHOP

On June 23, 2024, the Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA) kicked off its annual Emerging Leaders Workshop, a five-day conference in Washington, D.C., that aims to train the next generation of Taiwanese and Taiwanese American experts and advocates on U.S.-Taiwan relations.

Twenty-nine incredible Emerging Leaders from Taiwan and across the U.S. came from all walks of life: entrepreneurs, non-profit professionals, students, activists, and political organizers were brought together for an enriching experience, each passionate about Taiwan’s independent sovereignty, freedom and democracy, as well as Taiwan’s international status, participation, and recognition.

The theme of this year’s conference is “U.S.-Taiwan Relations in an Age of Uncertainty.” Its objectives are three-fold: (1) inspire political involvement in advocating for Taiwan’s freedom; (2) educate participants on the significance of U.S.-Taiwan relations; and (3) provide a comprehensive understanding of Washington’s perspective on Taiwan.

The workshop began with a reception and banquet at a hotel in Arlington, Virginia. We were honored to have Dr. Pauline Chen, our distinguished guest, and Dr. Raymond Kuo, our keynote speaker, to open the workshop with two inspiring speeches.

Dr. Pauline Chen’s speech was “Storytelling & Moderated Discussion: Taiwanese American Diaspora.” As a writer and a doctor, she is constantly thinking about stories. However, the Taiwan story of courage and independence is at great risk of being erased by China’s aggression and false narratives of Taiwan being part of China. Her parents and all other earliest Taiwanese American diaspora understood how endangered Taiwan’s story is. So, they met with U.S. politicians, marched at the UN, and founded and joined FAPA. The Emerging Leaders Workshop is about helping the next Taiwanese and Taiwanese American generations learn how to best keep the beautiful Taiwan story of independence and democracy alive.

Dr. Raymond Kuo’s speech “Rethinking the Security Dilemma” discussed some core concepts of international security while outlining the recent debates on U.S.-Taiwan policy and relations. He similarly illustrates recent events like the consolidation of Xi Jinping’s power that have reshaped our understanding of the trilateral U.S.-Taiwan-China relationship. It was an engaging presentation that inspired much discussion. Participants eagerly interacted after Dr. Kuo’s speech, asking questions about topics ranging from the liberal international order to the defense-industrial complex and issues in Taiwanese domestic politics that affect U.S.-Taiwan cooperation.

Dr. Chen spoke about her experiences with and observations of Taiwanese American’s stories and their identity, and Dr. Kuo discussed issues with the security dilemma in the context of U.S.-Taiwan-China relations. Indeed, the two opening addresses greatly differed in nature, but both presentations successfully inspired participants to ask critical questions about Taiwan: What does it mean to be Taiwanese? And what can we collectively do for Taiwan? These are questions that we hope our Emerging Leaders will learn to answer by the end of the five-day workshop.

Dr. Pauline Chen is a Taiwanese American surgeon, author, and New York Times columnist. Dr. Raymond Kuo is a political scientist at the RAND Corporation – an expert in international security, international order, and East Asia.