A delegation of foreign broadcast and print media professionals is in Taiwan April 8-13 to get up to speed on the latest government initiatives advancing indigenous peoples’ rights and tribal tourism development.
Organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the group comprises 13 journalists and program producers from Canada, diplomatic ally Honduras, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Kuwait, Peru, the Philippines, Russia and the U.S.
According to the MOFA, the trip underscores the government’s significant progress in protecting and safeguarding the ethnicity and interests of Taiwan’s aboriginals. It also serves to raise the international profile of Taiwan’s unique tribal art, culture and music, the ministry added.
Highlights of the delegation’s northern Taiwan itinerary are visits to the Cabinet-level Council of Indigenous Peoples, government-backed Indigenous Peoples Cultural Foundation, National Taiwan University’s Center for Indigenous Studies, and Taiwan and Austronesian Inter-Parliamentary Amity Association. Activities scheduled for southern Taiwan include trips to the Indigenous Peoples Cultural Development Center and Kucapungne—a traditional village of the Rukai tribe—both in Pingtung County.
During the delegation’s visit to the CIP April 10 in New Taipei City, Deputy Minister Calivat Gadu said the official apology made Aug. 1, 2016, on behalf of the government by President Tsai Ing-wen to the nation’s indigenous peoples for “four centuries of pain and mistreatment” makes Taiwan a model for other nations in related policymaking.
By taking this first step, as well as vowing to promote the rights of aboriginals across the board, Tsai is promoting diversity and justice in society on the road to righting the wrongs of the past, Gadu added.
An important aspect in this regard is the establishment in December 2016 of the Indigenous Historical Justice and Transitional Justice Commission under the Office of the President and regular meetings of the Cabinet-overseen Indigenous Peoples Basic Law Committee since 2017.
According to the CIP, indigenous peoples have lived in Taiwan for millenniums. The latest government statistics reveal that Taiwan’s 16 officially recognized tribes account for around 2.3 percent of the nation’s population of 23.5 million. (CPY-E)
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