Taipei Times: Can you briefly outline your future objectives in leading the CCA?
Tchen Yu-hsiu: What I consider pivotal is to correct the concept of the so-called "instant culture (
Second, I want to improve the situation in which the CCA at the central government level lacks corresponding agencies at the local level, leading to half the result for twice the effort.
The third objective is to re-establish related institutions. For example, it's important to amend existing laws and regulations to upgrade the CCA into a cultural affairs ministry. The CCA should also establish a transparent mechanism for subsidizing cultural activities and development projects.
Fourth, I want to set up a new research and development institution focusing on cultural and educational issues in order to integrate the latest trends into our policy considerations.
Furthermore, I consider it important to enrich the substance of cultural activities, such as translating good local books into foreign languages and offering high-quality and educational concerts to the public. Going to a high-quality performance can help an audience understand the spirit behind the performance's creator, enabling the audience to follow such a spirit in their own lives.
TT: What's the ultimate goal you want to achieve in leading the CCA?
Tchen: The ultimate goal of cultural events is to allow the people to imitate artists' pursuit for the truth -- the good and the beautiful in our daily lives -- and to change our attitude towards life. Such a spirit could enable a person to pay attention to their environment, show concern for others and reflect on one's life with a settled mind. Gradually, a person's quality of life would thus be enhanced and the quality of society as a whole would be improved.
This is a path toward establishing our country as a culturally great power. This is the ultimate goal I want to achieve.
TT: How would you absorb resources from the private sector into the CCA's operations?
Tchen: The CCA can come up with high-quality proposals and encourage the private sector to invest in these projects. If the private sector is willing to accept our suggestions, that means they have gained confidence in the government by appreciating what we have achieved in the public sector.
TT: The call for setting up a cultural affairs ministry has been ongoing for years. Do you think you can do a better job in regard to this compared with your predecessors?
Tchen: That's a difficult task because it involves the CCA's interaction with other related ministries in the Executive Yuan. The consensus reached among related ministries is the necessary basis for amending the existing Executive Yuan organic law before the CCA can be upgraded.
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