Second semester of the 112th academic year,
Human Rights Program & Chang Fo-Chuan Center for the Study of Human Rights co-host the seminar of
"Talking peace with a dictator is a suicide mission?"
We have invited both speakers that are big wheel in this related field to share their views on how to talk about "peace" in the context of these current world changing situation.
Introduction:
After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the European Union and the United States realized the seriousness of appeasing Putin's annexation of Ukrainian Crimea in 2014, and proclaimed the complete failure of using commercial and economic interests as a diplomatic means of assisting Russia's democratization and maintaining peace in Europe. This has also alerted Europe to the danger that the alliance between China and Russia poses to democracies. In particular, China has made no secret of its ambition to invade Taiwan by force, and has been using provocative acts such as warplanes, warships, and balloons in an attempt to consume and destroy Taiwan's force and will to resist.
From the provision of weapons and ammunition to Ukraine by NATO countries, the international community has gradually realized that only force and armaments can stop the dictator's ambition to use war as a means to expand his country's power and dominate the world.
In the face of such developments in the world situation and the fierce competition in geopolitical military and force, is there any room and space for us to talk about peace? If we do not strengthen our own military force and national defense, and increase our military budget and expenditure, is it not suicide to talk about peace with dictatorships like Russia and China? If we can talk about peace, how should we talk about it? Who should we talk to?
Speakers:
1. Mr. Hsi-Chieh Chien｜Former member of the Legislative Council and co-founder of the Pan-Purple Coalition
Mr. Chien served as a member of the third and fourth terms of the Legislative Yuan. In 2000, he co-initiated the establishment of PEACETIME Foundation of Taiwan (now: Taiwan Public Opinion Foundation), and in 2003, he convened nine major social welfare and social movement organizations in Taiwan to co-initiate the Pan-Purple Coalition. Mr. Chien is the most directly involved in the democratization of Taiwan as a defender of human rights and peace.
2. Mr. Ren-Hwa Wu ｜Chang Fo-Chuan Center for the Study of Human Rights Visiting Scholar, Tiananmen Square/ June Fourth Incident Research Fellow
Mr. Wu has long been involved in China's democracy movement, and was a participant and witness of the June 4 Tiananmen Square. He was awarded the 2014 China Outstanding Democrat Award by the Chinese Democratic Education Foundation, and has published the books "The June Fourth Incident: A Complete Record" and "The June Fourth Massacre: The Martial Law Forces in the June Fourth Incident".
Host: Prof. Jau-Hwa Chen｜Director of Chang Fo-Chuan Center for the Study of Human Rights, Human Rights Program
Commentator: Mr. Fang-Yu Chen｜Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Soochow University
Date: 2024-03-18 (Mon) 13:00- 15:00
Venue: Waishuanghsi Campus B1 International Conference, Soochow University
Timeline:
13:00-13:10 Registration
13:10-13:15 Introduction by Prof. Jau-Hwa Chen (Director of Chang Fo-Chuan Center for the Study of Human Rights, Human Rights Program)
13:15-13:45 Mr. Hsi-Chieh Chien
13:45-14:15 Mr. Ren-Hwa Wu
14:15-14:35 Comment by Mr. Fang-Yu Chen (Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Soochow University)
14:35-15:00 Q&A and Exchange of Views
※This is a one-time-only seminar, so be sure to take advantage of this opportunity. It will be held physically only, and there will be no simultaneous online live streaming service.
Organizer: Human Rights Program & Chang Fo-Chuan Center for the Study of Human Rights, Soochow University
Co-organizer: Department of Political Science and Department of Sociology, Soochow University
