After many failed attempts to join the World Health Assembly as an observer and re-enter the UN, the nation's official diplomacy may seem to be at an impasse. And President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) recent trip to Central America renewed debate about the effectiveness of the government's foreign aid.
But in dwelling only on such challenges, experts say, many forget that there is another diplomatic track -- through the power of civil society. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) can play an important role in furthering the nation's efforts to gain international recognition, by expanding Taiwan's "soft power" throughout the globe.
"Through international cooperation, Taiwan can put `people's diplomacy' into action and gradually Taiwan can find its place in the international community," said Lin Teh-chang (林德昌), director of the Center for International NGO Studies.
People power
In recent years, the concept of "people's diplomacy" has emerged in Taiwan because of limitations on its official relations with other countries. The concept has become a focal point for many academics, and the government has introduced new policies to encourage NGOs' activities.
According to Jack Chiang (江國強), vice president of the NGO Affairs Committee at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the ministry has worked hard to facilitate the participation of domestic NGOs in international NGO conferences. It has also offered financial assistance to NGOs and strengthened cooperation between the ministry and domestic NGOs in order to better coordinate international efforts.
"Government efforts are important, but the participation of NGOs and the public is even more crucial," Chiang said. "`People's diplomacy' stresses the fact that Taiwan is a sovereign country, and that we are strengthening international ties through civil society despite China's pressure."
Lin, whose center is the first academic unit in Taiwan devoted to NGO studies, said that the nation's NGOs are in a phase of "capacity building," meaning that they are still learning about better management, perfecting field research and working to form international NGO networks and coalitions.
`Love from Taiwan'
In 2003, 19 domestic NGOs, including the Taiwan Root Medical Peace Corps, the Presbyterian Church and Eden Social Welfare Foundation, donated NT$30 million (US$900,000) via Mercy Corps International to Iraqi war victims.
The project, called "Love from Taiwan," was organized by MOFA and Mercy Corps International and highlighted the successful interaction between the Taiwan government, NGOs and international NGOs, Lin said.
Lin originally headed a project for an NGO team from Taiwan, to assist Mercy Corps International's community action program teams in Iraq in 2003, but limited funds prevented the plan from being carried out. Though often faced with such financial obstacles, Lin continued to establish programs to aid NGO capacity-building in Taiwan. At a recent conference in Taichung, Lin noted that for the first time this year, an official training program was offered to Taiwanese NGO workers at Portland State University (PSU) in the US.
Through MOFA grants, 10 domestic NGO workers were sent to PSU for a four-week training program in which they attended courses on international affairs and NGO management, and visited several NGOs in Portland.
"The 10 students enjoyed themselves and learned a lot. Our hope is that this will be the first of many such training programs," said Mel Gurtov, professor of international studies at PSU and one of the lecturers for the program.
Visiting Taiwan
International programs have also come to Taiwan to work with its NGOs. In 2003, an international disaster response workshop was held in Taipei and Kaohsiung.
The NGO Affairs Committee's Chiang said that in addition to working through NGOs, there are many things that ordinary people do that help advance "people's diplomacy."
For example, the fact that Japan has canceled the need for visas for Taiwanese visitors indicates the power of the people, Chiang said.
Privileges
"The number of people visiting the Aichi Exposition this year from Taiwan is the highest of all countries," Chiang said. "The visa regulation was not something the Taiwanese government alone could have changed, but through the people we were able to attain this privilege."
Citing recent problems involving foreign laborers in Taiwan, Chiang also noted that improving such workers' rights, respecting them and treating them well can also help promote Taiwan abroad, since many such workers will take their impression of Taiwan back with them when they return to their home countries.
"We cannot neglect this since they [laborers] are a major source of grassroots power," Chiang said.
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