Taipei, Oct. 31 (CNA) With Taiwan's incredible dance talent, Taipei can be the dance capital of the world if it wants to be, and corporates can be of great help along the way, the founder of a U.S. dance group said Tuesday.
"There is such incredible dance talent here on the world level. Taipei can be the dance capital if it wants to, but it needs to make investments, " said Jonathan Hollander, founder of Battery Dance Company (BDC).
"Maybe dance is a key for Taiwan to gain global recognition, " said Hollander, who founded BDC in 1976.
The New York-based group concludes a six-nation Asia tour, which has taken them to Japan, India, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, the Philippines and Taiwan in six weeks, with a performance Tuesday in Taipei.
Hollander and the BDC dancers conducted 11 master classes and workshops during their six-day stay in Taiwan.
Hollander has worked with dancers from Cloud Gate, Taiwan's most prestigious dance troupe, and some BDC dancers have worked with Shue Fang-yi, the first Taiwanese principle dancer in the Martha Graham Dance Troupe in New York.
Corporates can also be a great help and a bridge between arts groups and public institutions in a "triangular relationship, " Hollander told about 50 corporate representatives in a speech focused on corporate social responsibility (CSR).
Corporate involvement, both on the company and employee level, in the community and art groups not only helps employees with their networking, personal growth, self-esteem and companies with their corporate pride and image, but also helps those art groups in need of funding, he noted.
"It's important to have that mutual respect between the corporate sector and artists, " he said.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
CONSERVATIONIST JANE GOODALL: 'LITTLE THINGS CAN CHANGE THE WORLD'
Taipei, Oct. 31 (CNA) Facing the enormous challenges of global warming and poverty, keep the faith and believe every little thing can help change the world, a British conservationist urged Monday in Taipei.
"Always think about your action, how it can affect people around you, the environment, nature and animals," Jane Goodall told hundreds of students in a topical speech entitled "Change the World."
In a two-hour forum moderated by Taichung City mayor Jason Hu, Goodall discussed a wide range of topics, including poverty, global warming, Africa and world peace, with another guest speaker, Lee Chi-tung, a Tsing Hua University professor.
The current situation regarding global warming and poverty may make people frustrated sometimes, but it is never too late to take the first step, Goodall said.
"Little things like riding a bicycle to work can make a difference. As we make more money, we can make greater changes through buying products such as organic food and energy-efficient cars," she said.
"We cannot just hope for the government and politicians to make changes. It's all up to us," she urged.
"Every single one of us can make a difference every single day," she said.
Goodall, a 72-year-old primatologist best known for decades of pioneering research on chimpanzees in Africa, has not forgotten her "babies."
"We are not the only beings with personalities and feelings. We share 99 percent of our DNA with chimpanzees," she said, adding that after years of research she came to realize that humans have to help themselves first, before saving chimpanzees.
Goodall is on her tenth visit to Taiwan to promote conservation awareness and the Roots and Shoots program, an educational program she established around the world in schools at all levels.
The forum was organized by Rotary International District 3520.
"Always think about your action, how it can affect people around you, the environment, nature and animals," Jane Goodall told hundreds of students in a topical speech entitled "Change the World."
In a two-hour forum moderated by Taichung City mayor Jason Hu, Goodall discussed a wide range of topics, including poverty, global warming, Africa and world peace, with another guest speaker, Lee Chi-tung, a Tsing Hua University professor.
The current situation regarding global warming and poverty may make people frustrated sometimes, but it is never too late to take the first step, Goodall said.
"Little things like riding a bicycle to work can make a difference. As we make more money, we can make greater changes through buying products such as organic food and energy-efficient cars," she said.
"We cannot just hope for the government and politicians to make changes. It's all up to us," she urged.
"Every single one of us can make a difference every single day," she said.
Goodall, a 72-year-old primatologist best known for decades of pioneering research on chimpanzees in Africa, has not forgotten her "babies."
"We are not the only beings with personalities and feelings. We share 99 percent of our DNA with chimpanzees," she said, adding that after years of research she came to realize that humans have to help themselves first, before saving chimpanzees.
Goodall is on her tenth visit to Taiwan to promote conservation awareness and the Roots and Shoots program, an educational program she established around the world in schools at all levels.
The forum was organized by Rotary International District 3520.
TAIWAN SCHOLARS APPLAUD U.S. OFFICIAL'S MESSAGE ON ARMS SALES
Taipei, Oct. 30 (CNA) The people of Taiwan should support a message on arms procurement that was delivered by United States official Stephen Young as it serves Taiwan's national interest, a pair of scholars said Monday in a press conference.
On Oct. 26, Stephen Young, the director of the American Insitute in Taiwan (AIT), urged Taiwan's legislature to pass a robust defense budget in its fall session, a message that should be supported by Taiwan's people, said Lee Ming-juin and Yu Wei-hsuan, both members of the pro-independence civil group Taiwan Society North.
"Compared with our Asian counterparts, Japan and South Korea, Taiwan's defense budget has been decreasing in recent years. It is against the global trend and hindering the U.S.' strategic plan in the Asia-Pacific region," said Lee, a professor at Huafan University.
If Taiwan does not raise its defense budget for this minimal requirement, the U.S.' line of defense in the first island chain of the Pacific Rim will have a large gap, Lee noted.
The U.S. offered to sell arms to Taiwan according to the Taiwan Relations Act, instead of "The Republic of China Relations Act," noted Yu, a professor at National Taiwan University.
"Which brings the uncertainty of Taiwan's status to the table," he said.
The U.S. has the right to be upset about the stalemate over the arms package in Taiwan's legislature, Yu said, as the U.S. military force could face casualties if Taiwan fails to defend itself in the event of a cross-strait conflict.
By opposing the robust defense budget and the arms sale, Taiwan will place its national security in China's hands, which could lead to a misjudgement by both the U.S. and China, Lee said.
"China could attack Taiwan relentlessly once it's capable of doing so. And the U.S. could interpret the case of arms procurement as Taiwan's willingness to accept unification and change its Taiwan policy accordingly," he said.
On Oct. 26, Stephen Young, the director of the American Insitute in Taiwan (AIT), urged Taiwan's legislature to pass a robust defense budget in its fall session, a message that should be supported by Taiwan's people, said Lee Ming-juin and Yu Wei-hsuan, both members of the pro-independence civil group Taiwan Society North.
"Compared with our Asian counterparts, Japan and South Korea, Taiwan's defense budget has been decreasing in recent years. It is against the global trend and hindering the U.S.' strategic plan in the Asia-Pacific region," said Lee, a professor at Huafan University.
If Taiwan does not raise its defense budget for this minimal requirement, the U.S.' line of defense in the first island chain of the Pacific Rim will have a large gap, Lee noted.
The U.S. offered to sell arms to Taiwan according to the Taiwan Relations Act, instead of "The Republic of China Relations Act," noted Yu, a professor at National Taiwan University.
"Which brings the uncertainty of Taiwan's status to the table," he said.
The U.S. has the right to be upset about the stalemate over the arms package in Taiwan's legislature, Yu said, as the U.S. military force could face casualties if Taiwan fails to defend itself in the event of a cross-strait conflict.
By opposing the robust defense budget and the arms sale, Taiwan will place its national security in China's hands, which could lead to a misjudgement by both the U.S. and China, Lee said.
"China could attack Taiwan relentlessly once it's capable of doing so. And the U.S. could interpret the case of arms procurement as Taiwan's willingness to accept unification and change its Taiwan policy accordingly," he said.
TAIPEI TO HOST INT'L CONFERENCE ON MUSEUM MANAGEMENT
Taipei, Oct. 30 (CNA) An international conference on museum management will be held in Taipei and gather experts from around the world to discuss the new roles and missions of the institutions, organizers announced Monday.
The International Committee on Management (INTERCOM) 2006 Annual Meeting and Conference of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) will be held at the Taipei International Convention Center from Nov. 2-4, the Council of Cultural Affairs (CCA) announced at a press conference.
"The importance of Taiwan hosting the event has been underestimated because Taiwan is not even an ICOM member," said CCA vice chairman Wu Chin-fa.
Wu added this is only the second instance of an Asian country hosting the annual meeting, which shows ICOM is starting to pay attention to museums in Asia and regional issues in cultural assets preservation.
Museum experts from 11 countries -- such as Kenya, Indonesia and Nepal, among others -- will focus on the main theme of the conference: the new roles and missions of museums. Issues to be discussed include the new social relevance of museums, different types and roles of museums, and the local, regional and national
identity of museums.
A total of 40 theses by 24 scholars will be presented at the three-day conference, which Hsiao Tsung-huang, director of the National Taiwan Museum, described as "a great opportunity to open dialogue between Taiwan's museums and the world."
Established in 1946, ICOM is an international organization of museums and museum professionals that is committed to conservation, continuation and communication of the world's natural and cultural heritage.
It is also a non-governmental organization that maintains formal relations with the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
The International Committee on Management (INTERCOM) 2006 Annual Meeting and Conference of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) will be held at the Taipei International Convention Center from Nov. 2-4, the Council of Cultural Affairs (CCA) announced at a press conference.
"The importance of Taiwan hosting the event has been underestimated because Taiwan is not even an ICOM member," said CCA vice chairman Wu Chin-fa.
Wu added this is only the second instance of an Asian country hosting the annual meeting, which shows ICOM is starting to pay attention to museums in Asia and regional issues in cultural assets preservation.
Museum experts from 11 countries -- such as Kenya, Indonesia and Nepal, among others -- will focus on the main theme of the conference: the new roles and missions of museums. Issues to be discussed include the new social relevance of museums, different types and roles of museums, and the local, regional and national
identity of museums.
A total of 40 theses by 24 scholars will be presented at the three-day conference, which Hsiao Tsung-huang, director of the National Taiwan Museum, described as "a great opportunity to open dialogue between Taiwan's museums and the world."
Established in 1946, ICOM is an international organization of museums and museum professionals that is committed to conservation, continuation and communication of the world's natural and cultural heritage.
It is also a non-governmental organization that maintains formal relations with the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Sunday, October 29, 2006
PARADE IN TAIPEI PROMOTES CONSERVATION
Taipei, Oct. 28 (CNA) A carnival-like parade of more than 500 participants masquerading as animals was held in Taipei Saturday to promote conservation awareness in Taiwan.
The presence of Jane Goodall, a well-known British conservationist, highlighted the 2006 Roots and Shoots Animal Parade.
"The parade tries to promote animal protection and conservation awareness through observation and understanding of animals in a celebration, instead of in the form of a protest, because it is targeted at children, " said Chen Meng-ke of the Jane Goodall Institute Taiwan, the event organizer.
In most cases, animal abuse results from a lack of understanding of what other people do or the stories behind the scenes, Goodall told hundreds of students in a speech after the parade.
The parade and speeches were a part of the Roots and Shoots program, an educational program established by Goodall to instill environmental and conservation awareness in the younger generation.
Goodall, 72, is a primatologist and anthropologist best-known for her 45-year study of chimpanzee social life. She is on her ninth visit to Taiwan.
The presence of Jane Goodall, a well-known British conservationist, highlighted the 2006 Roots and Shoots Animal Parade.
"The parade tries to promote animal protection and conservation awareness through observation and understanding of animals in a celebration, instead of in the form of a protest, because it is targeted at children, " said Chen Meng-ke of the Jane Goodall Institute Taiwan, the event organizer.
In most cases, animal abuse results from a lack of understanding of what other people do or the stories behind the scenes, Goodall told hundreds of students in a speech after the parade.
The parade and speeches were a part of the Roots and Shoots program, an educational program established by Goodall to instill environmental and conservation awareness in the younger generation.
Goodall, 72, is a primatologist and anthropologist best-known for her 45-year study of chimpanzee social life. She is on her ninth visit to Taiwan.
WOMEN JOURNALIST CONGRESS DISCUSSES INTERNET AGE MEDIA
Taipei, Oct. 28 (CNA) Women journalists and writers from all over the world gathered in Taipei Saturday to discuss media in the Internet age in a two-day congress.
The 17th World Congress of the World Association of Women Journalists and Writers (AMMPE) will discuss the theme in four topical seminars: television and broadcasting, e-papers, print media and e-writing.
"The Internet has brought significant changes to the ways people send messages between people and countries. It makes communications more instant and more interactive. However, it also brings about certain dangers and blind spots, " said AMMPE International President Jennifer Shen, who is an anchorwoman of China Television Company (CTV).
AMMPE, a member of the non-government organizations of the United Nations, was incorporated by founder Gloria Salas de Calderon in Mexico in 1969.
International participants of the event came from Chile, Canada, Japan, Mexico and Hong Kong.
Topics to be discussed in the open seminars included Taiwan's media reforms and women's activism, Internet journalism in Latin America, how the print media copes with online fashions and trends and challenges, and opportunities of online reading.
The 17th World Congress of the World Association of Women Journalists and Writers (AMMPE) will discuss the theme in four topical seminars: television and broadcasting, e-papers, print media and e-writing.
"The Internet has brought significant changes to the ways people send messages between people and countries. It makes communications more instant and more interactive. However, it also brings about certain dangers and blind spots, " said AMMPE International President Jennifer Shen, who is an anchorwoman of China Television Company (CTV).
AMMPE, a member of the non-government organizations of the United Nations, was incorporated by founder Gloria Salas de Calderon in Mexico in 1969.
International participants of the event came from Chile, Canada, Japan, Mexico and Hong Kong.
Topics to be discussed in the open seminars included Taiwan's media reforms and women's activism, Internet journalism in Latin America, how the print media copes with online fashions and trends and challenges, and opportunities of online reading.
VICE PRESIDENT SHARES `THREE RIGHTS' WITH WOMEN JOURNALISTS
Taipei, Oct. 28 (CNA) Vice President Annette Lu said in a speech Saturday to women journalists that the pubic have three rights, which she described "as the right to know, the right not to know, and the right not to be known."
Lu made the remarks in a keynote speech of the opening ceremony of the World Congress of World Association of Women Journalists and Writers in Taipei.
"The time has come for women to be in charge. Can women play an important role in media? Of course they can, " Lu said.
"But before that can happen, women have to be professional, independent. We have to be equipped with gender awareness and the courage to innovate and break through, " she said.
Lu, an important figure in the history of Taiwan's women's activism, also claimed that "world history has been written by men for thousands of years" because the word is spelled "his story."
It's time for women to write history as "her story, " she said.
Lu made the remarks in a keynote speech of the opening ceremony of the World Congress of World Association of Women Journalists and Writers in Taipei.
"The time has come for women to be in charge. Can women play an important role in media? Of course they can, " Lu said.
"But before that can happen, women have to be professional, independent. We have to be equipped with gender awareness and the courage to innovate and break through, " she said.
Lu, an important figure in the history of Taiwan's women's activism, also claimed that "world history has been written by men for thousands of years" because the word is spelled "his story."
It's time for women to write history as "her story, " she said.
Friday, October 27, 2006
CANADIANS REPRESENT TAIWAN IN INTERNATIONAL ICE HOCKEY CHARITY TOURNEY
Taipei, Oct. 27 (CNA) An ice hockey team that represents Taiwan but is comprised of Canadians has won three straight games in the Land of Smiles international ice hockey tournament in Thailand.
The Taiwan Typhoons are now one win away from the semifinal of the annual charity tournament, which is taking place in Bangkok Oct. 25- 29 and includes teams from Russia, Switzerland, Abu Dhabi, Tokyo, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Beijing and Shanghai.
Led by team captain Mark Paas, who is based in the central city Taichung, the team is made up of 14 Canadians living in Taiwan, where ice hockey is not at all popular.
The Typhoons play in the Chinese Taipei Ice Hockey League, a league of seven teams that launched its regular season's play last week in Taipei.
The Taiwan Typhoons are now one win away from the semifinal of the annual charity tournament, which is taking place in Bangkok Oct. 25- 29 and includes teams from Russia, Switzerland, Abu Dhabi, Tokyo, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Beijing and Shanghai.
Led by team captain Mark Paas, who is based in the central city Taichung, the team is made up of 14 Canadians living in Taiwan, where ice hockey is not at all popular.
The Typhoons play in the Chinese Taipei Ice Hockey League, a league of seven teams that launched its regular season's play last week in Taipei.
BRITISH CONSERVATIONIST VISITS TAIWAN
Taipei, Oct. 27 (CNA) Well-known British conservationist Jane Goodall is visiting Taiwan to promote ecological conservation awareness with a series of speeches and events, officials from the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) Taiwan said Friday.
Visiting Taiwan for the ninth time since 1996 for an eight-day tour from Oct. 26-Nov. 2, Goodall will deliver topical speeches in schools and various organizations, and will participate in the 2006 Roots and Shoots Animal Parade Oct. 28, along with local conservation and animal rescue groups such as Animals Taiwan, a charity group that specializes in combating the stray dog and cat problem through catch-neuter-release programs and animal adoptions.
The visit has special meaning for JGI Taiwan -- which was established in 1998 as the first JGI branch in Asia -- as the organization is approaching its 10th anniversary.
The United Nations "Messenger of Peace" will share her thoughts on environmental and conservation issues with students at all levels, making speeches at schools such as National Taiwan University and Chiayi Girls' Senior High School.
Goodall, 72, is a primatologist and anthropologist best-known for her 45-year study of chimpanzee social life. She established the institute bearing her name in 1977 in Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania.
Visiting Taiwan for the ninth time since 1996 for an eight-day tour from Oct. 26-Nov. 2, Goodall will deliver topical speeches in schools and various organizations, and will participate in the 2006 Roots and Shoots Animal Parade Oct. 28, along with local conservation and animal rescue groups such as Animals Taiwan, a charity group that specializes in combating the stray dog and cat problem through catch-neuter-release programs and animal adoptions.
The visit has special meaning for JGI Taiwan -- which was established in 1998 as the first JGI branch in Asia -- as the organization is approaching its 10th anniversary.
The United Nations "Messenger of Peace" will share her thoughts on environmental and conservation issues with students at all levels, making speeches at schools such as National Taiwan University and Chiayi Girls' Senior High School.
Goodall, 72, is a primatologist and anthropologist best-known for her 45-year study of chimpanzee social life. She established the institute bearing her name in 1977 in Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania.
SHORING UP NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVES TAIWAN'S INTEREST: AIT HEAD
Taipei, Oct. 26 (CNA) Shoring up national defense will benefit Taiwan literally and figuratively, American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Taipei Office Director Stephen Young said in a press conference Thursday.
Urging Taiwan's legislature to pass a robust defense budget in the autumn session, Young said that by shoring up its defense, Taiwan can boost its self-confidence in a wide-range of cross-Taiwan Strait discussions and send a message to China at the same time.
"Taiwan cannot win its arms race with China, but it doesn't need to, " said Young, who took office in March to serve as the top U.S. representative in Taiwan in the absence of formal diplomatic ties between the two countries.
"Taiwan can just send the message that if China wants to attack Taiwan, Taiwan is able to defend itself... and China knows that the U.S. will respond if it attacks Taiwan, " he added.
In addition, defense is more efficient than offense, which is why Taiwan has to be smart in the weapons it buys, according to Young.
Responding to a media question about a cross-strait peace agreement, Young said he believes most political leaders in Taiwan intend to sign such an agreement with China but that "terms" will be the ultimate problem.
Urging Taiwan's legislature to pass a robust defense budget in the autumn session, Young said that by shoring up its defense, Taiwan can boost its self-confidence in a wide-range of cross-Taiwan Strait discussions and send a message to China at the same time.
"Taiwan cannot win its arms race with China, but it doesn't need to, " said Young, who took office in March to serve as the top U.S. representative in Taiwan in the absence of formal diplomatic ties between the two countries.
"Taiwan can just send the message that if China wants to attack Taiwan, Taiwan is able to defend itself... and China knows that the U.S. will respond if it attacks Taiwan, " he added.
In addition, defense is more efficient than offense, which is why Taiwan has to be smart in the weapons it buys, according to Young.
Responding to a media question about a cross-strait peace agreement, Young said he believes most political leaders in Taiwan intend to sign such an agreement with China but that "terms" will be the ultimate problem.
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