Some 4,000 Kiwani club members from around the world descended on Taipei yesterday for their 86th annual convention, beginning with a carnival at the plaza in front of the Taipei City Hall.
That event -- organized by the ROC Kiwanis club -- offered a dragon dance in addition to other folk entertainment.
According to the head of the ROC Kiwanis club, Wu Hui-wan (
Wu said she hoped the three-day conference will offer international members the opportunity to experience the unique culture of Taiwan.
Later last night, President Chen Shui-bian (
Tonight the ROC Kiwanis club will also hold a dinner party at a Taipei hotel in honor of those people whose efforts in past few months helped bring about Taiwan's hosting of the international conference.
Featured guests who will speak at the event include the chairman of the People First Party, James Soong (宋楚瑜), DPP Chairman Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) and director of the KMT's Organization and Development Committee, Chao Shou-po (趙守博).
Founded in 1915 and headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, Kiwanis International is an association of men and women committed to volunteer service, charity in their communities and pooling their resources to address worldwide issues.
Boasting more than 600,000 members in 76 countries, they are best know for their contributions to eye care and their focus on children's issues.
Members are said to be professional business people who proclaim to have both the desire and the ability to serve their community.
According to the Kiwanis International, affiliates invest more than 5.7 million hours and US$135 million in communities around the world each year.
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