2026年6月14日 星期日

心理為用,靈性為體:一場跨越科學與神聖的邊界對話


在14日一場由公民團體主辦「靈性療癒和心理諮商的對話」,與會學者針對「靈性療癒與心理諮商之間,究竟有沒有一個明確的學術界線?它們是壁壘分明,還是模糊交融?兩者又該如何互補?」正面交鋒。

有形的證照規範 vs. 無垠的宇宙神聖


針對「界線」的劃分,輔仁大學宗教學系蔡怡佳教授首先從實務與法規層面破題。她指出,心理諮商擁有非常明確的界線與專業規範,包含誰有資格從事、如何取得國家證照等,在官方認定上十分清晰。相對而言,靈性療癒的領域則非常寬廣且多元,涵蓋了各宗教的傳統實踐。但她也強調,兩者並非毫無交集,例如在醫院的臨終病房中,已經發展出「宗教師」或「靈性關懷師」的專業角色,神學院也開始結合牧靈與心理諮商的學位,這正是靈性療癒在醫療場域中長出的具體邊界。


慈濟大學特聘教授林建德則從「身、心、靈」的連續性光譜來剖析。他認為,心理諮商具有可客觀衡量、能取得證照的科學性;而宗教與靈性則觸及了心理學無法處理的「神聖性、超越性與終極性」。正因為靈性涉入生命的最深處,它更為重要,卻也更難以用世俗的標準「說清楚、講明白」。


心理學是精準的工具 靈性是生命的交流


既然界線存在,兩者該如何互補?擁有生理心理學與心理諮商背景的張雅惠副教授,提出了一個極具層次感的「全人照護」模型。


她將人的生命分為三個層次:功能面(知、情、意)、關係面與深層的結構面。心理學提供了非常多精準的「工具」(如認知行為學派處理功能、人際歷程學派處理關係、精神分析處理深層結構)。一個從事靈性關懷的人若能學習心理學,就像擁有了豐富的工具箱,能「用有形世界的規格與詞彙」去解釋案主的行為模式,讓助人者與受助者的理智得到滿足。


如果沒有心理學背景 做靈性關懷會不會有問題?


張雅惠給出了令人動容的解答:「依然是可以的,因為我們都是『有靈的活人』。」 她強調,人與人之間在靈性層次上的交流與共感,本身就能帶來極大的滿足與療癒。心理學能幫助我們「解釋」發生了什麼事,但生命完全的喜樂與療癒,往往是超越語言與理性分析的。


如果無法科學量化,靈性療癒是真的嗎?


針對「如何檢視靈性療癒的有效性?」,現場學者展開了對「客觀標準」的深刻顛覆。林建德教授提出了「實用主義」的解方:信仰的對象(如神鬼)或許難以用科學量化檢證其客觀真偽,但從結果來看,「只要它能帶來真正的快樂與平靜,即便信仰的對象是無法證實的,它發揮的療癒作用也是絕對『真實』的。」


自由作家許麗玲則用一個極具震撼力的比喻來回應:「如果我們用純粹的心理學標準來評量畫家梵谷,他絕對是一個精神失序、過不了關的病患;但是,他的畫作至今卻療癒了成千上萬的人。」 她直言,靈性療癒不能用「賺多少錢、恢復多少社會功能」這種現實面與功利標準來檢視;生命的意義與療癒的果效,最終只能由「生命本身」來回答。


心理諮商為「術」 靈性療癒為「心法」


在熱烈的交鋒後,現場一位觀眾精準地總結了這場對話的核心:「我們是否可以說,心理諮商是表,靈性療癒是裡;我們以心理諮商的技術為『用』,以切入靈性療癒的『體』?」


主持人謝世維教授對此表達了高度認同。他總結道,現代人自啟蒙時代後與「神聖」脫節,我們確實需要心理學這套實用的工具來幫助我們解構陰影、重新整合內在。然而,整合並非終點,人類最終仍需要透過靈性療癒,重新與宇宙的神聖連結,從中獲得受苦的意義與生命的轉化,達到「意義的圓滿」。


這場由提問引爆的深度對話,不僅完美劃定了科學心理學與宗教靈性的邊界,更為當代人指出了一條「體用合一」的全人療癒之道。

這一場座談會是由台灣公民參與協會與台灣宗教學會共同主辦的「靈性療癒和心理諮商的對話」系列座談會第一場。緊接於七月四日下午還有第二場「實踐的交會~靈性陪伴與心理支持的現場經驗」與八月二日下午第三場「從療癒到成長~心靈環保與心理諮商的功能分工與倫理對話」,歡迎洽主辦單位粉專了解詳情。

從地下室的修復到天空的覺醒:靈性與心理諮商的跨界對話


當代社會物質豐裕,人心卻愈發焦慮與孤獨。當心理諮商的科學實證遇上宗教靈性的神聖超越,兩者是相互排斥,還是能攜手拼湊出全人療癒的完整拼圖?14日下午由台灣公民參與協會與台灣宗教學會共同主辦的「靈性療癒和心理諮商的對話」座談會,首場以「理論的邊界」為題,邀請多位重量級學者專家,展開了一場直指人心的深度交流。

主辦單位之一台灣公民參與協會秘書長何宗勳表示,他投入社會運動與公民參與三十多年,深刻體會到,在衝撞體制的艱困時刻,支撐運動工作者走下去的往往不是制度,而是精神與信仰的力量。他個人的生命歷程跨越了不同的信仰體系,從早年就讀長老教會學校,到後來接觸新時代《奇蹟課程》,再到近幾年因關心圖伯特(西藏)議題而兩度前往達蘭薩拉接觸藏傳佛教。期間幾次在鬼門關前徘徊的經歷,讓他深信在既有科學知識體系外,還有一個值得探究的未知領域。


台灣正迎來AI帶動的經濟黃金十年,但物質富裕並未減少社會的焦慮與對立。社會逐漸走向兩極:一端是追求金錢的物質遊戲,另一端則是渴望回歸自然與靈性。一個成熟的公民社會,不應只關心經濟成長與制度改革,更必須關照人的內在世界。他期盼透過這系列論壇,讓靈性運動與公民社會展開對話,在科學的基礎上為台灣的靈性發展走出一條不被污名化的新道路。


另一主辦單位,台灣宗教學會前理事長陳美華指出,這場座談會的誕生,源於今年大年初二在台南的一場奇妙因緣。台灣宗教學會長期致力於宗教領域的學術知識生產,但她始終期盼這些探討生命終極關懷的知識,能真正落實到社會的實踐與推廣中。


近年來,心理健康成為社會關注的重中之重,無論是憂鬱、孤獨,還是對生命意義的迷惘,都促使我們反思:除了物質,人究竟還需要什麼?宗教學長久以來關心人的終極價值與信仰,而心理諮商則致力於理解人的情緒關係與心理需求。過去,這兩者常被視為不同的領域,但在面對現代人共同的生命挑戰時,我們必須展開跨領域、跨專業的公共對話。這場對話的目的絕非讓誰取代誰,而是希望透過彼此的理解與合作,共同探索如何更好地陪伴、支持受苦的靈魂,協助人們活出更完整、更有力量的生命。


尋回人類的屋頂與天空 從心理綜合學看靈性與心理的整合


擔任主持人也是引言人國立政治大學宗教研究所教授謝世維提到,在探討心理諮商與靈性療癒的邊界時,必須回顧心理學板塊的典範轉移。若將人類的意識結構比喻為一棟建築,傳統的心理分析與諮商,處理的往往是「地下室」與「下層工程」;而靈性療癒,則是引領我們看見「屋頂」與「天空」的「上層工程」。


他回顧西方心理學史,佛洛伊德(Freud)的貢獻在於向下探索,他打開了人類潛意識的「地下室」,致力於挖掘被壓抑的童年創傷與原始本能衝動,其目標是消除病理症狀,讓人能適應社會;隨後,榮格(Jung)將視角轉向內在,探究集體潛意識與神話原型,追求自我的個體化與圓滿。然而,真正將「天空」納入心理學版圖的,是義大利精神科醫師阿薩吉歐力(Roberto Assagioli)所提出的「心理綜合學」(Psychosynthesis)。


阿薩吉歐力指出:「佛洛伊德探索了地下室,但他忘了人類還有屋頂與天空。」 心理學不應僅僅研究人類如何受苦、如何修復病理,更必須研究人類如何覺醒、如何激發創造力、愛、美感與靈性潛能。


在他的經典「蛋形圖」意識模型中,人類意識被細分為下意識(創傷與陰影)、中意識(日常心理活動)、超意識(靈感、直覺與神秘體驗的源頭),以及個人自我(純粹的覺察中心)與高我(超越個體的深層精神本質)。


在這個架構下,心理與靈性的分工變得非常清晰。在「心理分析的領域」是揭露並拆解「下意識」的陰影與創傷結節。在「心理諮商的領域」是處理「中意識」的人格重組。我們內在有許多「次人格」(如受傷的孩子、嚴格的批判者、完美主義者),它們像交響樂團中各自鳴奏的樂器,常引發內在衝突。心理諮商幫助我們找到內在的「指揮家」,將這些次人格整合為和諧的整體。在「靈性轉化的領域」是當人格基礎穩固後,便進入「超意識」的連結。這不再只是為了解決痛苦,而是生命方向的重組與高我的顯化,達到宇宙意識的境界。


致命的陷阱:靈性逃避與靈性危機


然而,這套上層與下層工程必須循序漸進。當前身心靈界最常出現的問題就是「靈性逃避」(Spiritual Bypassing)。許多人帶著未處理的心理創傷、情緒困擾與人格缺陷(下層與中層工程未完成),就企圖用靈性的語言來包裝自己,將「情感疏離」美化為「超然」,將「逃避創傷」包裝為「臣服」。阿薩吉歐力嚴厲警告,若人格基礎尚未穩固,過早追求高層靈性經驗,將導致混亂、自我膨脹或逃避現實。真正的靈性轉化,絕無捷徑,必須建立在「心理整合」的堅實基礎上。


另一方面,我們也會遇到「靈性危機」(Spiritual Emergency)。靈性覺醒的過程伴隨著舊有價值觀的崩解,會帶來強烈的焦慮、孤獨與短暫的混亂(如靈魂的暗夜)。有些人在經歷這種深層的人格重組時,會被傳統醫學誤判為精神病理狀態。


總結來說,心理諮商幫助我們「健康地生活」並「恢復功能」,它是不可或缺的下層地基工程;而靈性療癒則幫助我們「理解生命的意義」並「活出超越」,它是通往天空的上層建築。兩者互不排斥,共同構成了一條從減輕痛苦到生命轉化、最終達到存在圓滿的完整光譜。


從對立到互為鏡像的療癒光譜


謝世維引言完畢之後,進入與談交鋒。首先輔仁大學宗教學系教授蔡怡佳從宗教心理學的角度來看,當代宗教有一種明顯的「療癒化」與「個人化」趨勢,「靈性非宗教」成為現代人在碎裂社會中尋求終極意義的寄託。面對醫療科學與宗教靈性的張力,我們可以從四位學者的觀點來探討理論的邊界。


她提到,威廉 · 詹姆斯(William James)為我們示範了如何調節張力。當年麻州政府企圖立法禁止「心靈醫治運動」,詹姆斯挺身而出,他認為科學與宗教都是人類「適應世界的系統」。現代醫學用實證科學檢驗,而宗教則循著「實用主義」的邏輯——若這份信仰能為當事人帶來平靜與生命的安頓,它就是一種真實。沒有單一系統可以壟斷真理。


其次,精神分析學者喀卡爾(Sudhir Kakar)將印度神廟的儀式與西方的精神分析放在同一個平台上對話。他發現,精神分析建立在西方個人主義上,強調自我剖析與自主;而寺廟療癒則重視個體與社群的和諧、對超越力量的臣服。兩者成為彼此的鏡子,照見了各自的文化預設與侷限。


再者,她也提到她的老師余德慧教授將牽亡、原住民巫信仰視為一種「文化療癒」。當現代醫療在面對臨終的「心靈現實」束手無策時,宗教療癒提供了深層的陪伴與安置。最後,榮格更是將心理治療的終極目標指向了神聖,認為神聖的體驗本身就是對精神痛苦的治癒。


而回歸實務,她認為理論的邊界最終要在「人文臨床」的受苦現場中融合。例如現在有些加護病房的醫師,願意讓家屬信任的靈媒或通靈者進入病房協助溝通,這種在受苦現場中展開的跨專業合作,正是我們打破專業藩籬、走向全人療癒的具體實踐。


純然的理性無法處理生命的全部


自由作家也是宗教學者許麗玲表示:她曾經在學術界研究宗教與儀式治療,但二十年前毅然辭去了所有教職。因為深刻體悟到,宗教與靈性是無法僅僅被「客觀研究」的,它必須被「親身經歷」。所以她選擇放下了學者的安全框架,開啟了自我的靈性探索,甚至重新喚醒了童年時期的通靈感應能力。

她提到《翠玉錄》中有一句古老名言:「如其在上,如其在下。」老子也說:「道生一,一生二,二生三,三生萬物。」這些古老智慧都在告訴我們,宇宙的宏觀實相與我們微觀的內在心靈是完全對應、互相創造的。莊子更提到:「天地與我並生,而萬物與我為一」。我們現在當下所感受到的每一絲念頭、 每一個聲音,都不只屬於這個名為「許麗玲」的微小個體,而是宇宙本源的創造。


她也提醒在探討靈性療癒時,不能用純粹的「現實面」或「功利標準」來界定它。我們不能問:「這個療癒能幫我賺多少錢?能讓我多快適應社會功能?」純然的理性與科學工具,是無法處理生命全部的。以畫家梵谷為例,如果用純粹的心理學與精神醫學標準來評量他,他絕對是一個精神失序、嚴重病態的人,根本過不了關;但是,他的畫作與他傾注在其中的靈魂,至今卻療癒了成千上萬的人。這就是靈性超越現實理性的地方。真正的療癒,是回到六祖慧能所說的「本來無一物」的清明觀照(純粹的覺察),是意識到這個「心」並非我們每天起伏的情緒,而是永不生滅的宇宙本體。生命的意義與療癒的果效,最終只能由「生命本身」來回答,而不是由外在的理性指標來衡量。


靈性觸及心理學無法處理的神聖與超越


慈濟大學宗教與人文研究所特聘教授林建德提到:如果從佛教的框架來看靈性療癒與心理諮商,佛陀本身就是一位「大醫王」,佛法的核心「四聖諦」(苦、集、滅、道)就是一套完整的臨床診療路徑:確認病況(苦)、分析病因(集)、預期康復(滅)、給予處方(道)。


佛教的療癒處方是「戒、定、慧」三學。這三個層次與心理學有著微妙的對應與超越。「戒學」是道德防護網,帶來無愧與安全感,是心理安定的基礎;「定學」是心性療癒,透過禪定冷卻焦慮與慾望的沸點,帶來情緒的穩定;而最關鍵的「慧學」,則是進行根源切斷手術,透過「無常、無我」的空性智慧,徹底瓦解產生痛苦的自我執著。大乘佛教更進一步加入了「慈悲」,強調在利他中完成自利的「利他中療癒」,打破現代人自我中心的孤立感。


心理諮商與靈性療癒是一個連續的光譜。心理諮商有明確的證照、客觀的科學標準與操作技術;但宗教與靈性具有神聖性、超越性與終極性,這是世俗心理學與純粹科學所無法完全處理的領域。正因為它觸及了生命最深層的意義,所以我認為靈性層次更為重要。


在實用主義的觀點下,宗教信仰的對象(如神佛的客觀存在與否)有時或許難以用科學量化檢證,甚至有人質疑是「假的」;但只要這份信仰與靈性修持能真實地解決個人的焦慮,帶來深層的平靜與真正的快樂,那麼它所發揮的療癒作用就是絕對「真實」的。特別在當代 AI 與數位資訊過載的時代,這套戒定慧與慈悲的靈性解方,正是焦慮心靈最需要的清涼劑。


沒有心理學背景,依然能給予深刻的靈性關懷


最後一位與談是台灣神學研究學院副教授張雅惠,她表示她的學術起點是生理心理學,當初發現宗教修為能帶來平靜,是因為看見了其背後神經傳導物質的變化。後來接觸存在主義心理學,面對死亡、自由、孤獨與無意義這四大終極關懷,我在基督信仰中找到了安頓。


然而,在信仰的實踐中,遇到了一個巨大的難題。如同《聖經》羅馬書所言:「立志為善由得我,只是行出來由不得我。」為什麼一個擁有聖靈同在的基督徒,明明知道真理,卻依然會陷入反覆的痛苦行為輪迴中?這促使我轉向心理學尋找線索。我發現了心理學中「潛意識的內在運作模式」(Internal Working Models)與「投射性認同」。就像聖經中那位有五個丈夫的撒馬利亞婦人,有時候外在環境變了,但因為個人內在的運作模式沒變,就會不斷誘發他人用相同的傷害模式來對待自己,形成生命中難以突破的「營壘」。這時,心理學就成為一個非常有用的「工具」。它在功能的恢復與人際關係的修復上,能提供具體的剖析,幫助案主獲得「修正性的情感經驗」。心理諮商處理的是看得見的互動歷程。但必須強調,即使沒有任何心理學的學習背景,一個人也絕對可以從事靈性關懷與引導。

張雅惠指出,因為我們都是「有靈的活人」,人與人之間在靈性層次上的交流、共感與愛,本身就能帶來極大且無法言喻的滿足與療癒。心理學只是提供了有形世界的規格與詞彙,讓我們在「理智」上能解釋發生了什麼事;但生命真正的喜樂與完滿,往往是超越語言與理性分析的。有心理學工具固然能讓助人者如虎添翼,但在靈性療癒的核心處,那份真誠的靈魂觸碰才是帶來改變的關鍵。


走向「全人療癒」的完整光譜


座談最後,主持人謝世維教室表示,今天這場座談會為「心理諮商」與「靈性療癒」的邊界之爭,提供了一個極具啟發性的解答:兩者並非互相取代的零和博弈,而是構成人類生命成長的一條連續光譜。心理諮商致力於「向下探索」,幫助我們清理地下室的陰影與創傷、重組次人格,使人能「健康地生活」與適應社會;而靈性療癒則引領我們「向上連結」,打造生命的屋頂與天空,使人能觸及神聖超越,進而「理解生命的終極意義」。


在資訊過載、焦慮蔓延的當代數位社會中,單一的科學實證或單一的宗教信仰,都已難以獨自承接現代人複雜的心靈困境。誠如與會講者們的共識,真正的療癒無法僅用純粹的功利或現實指標來衡量,最終必須回到「人文臨床的受苦現場」與「生命本身」來尋找答案。


當心理學的「理智工具」遇上靈性層次的「神聖與超越」,這不應是專業壁壘的對立,而是跨界合作的開端。唯有將地下室的穩固根基(心理修復)與天空的遼闊視野(靈性覺醒)相互結合,並時刻防範「靈性逃避」的陷阱,我們才能真正建構出一個完整的生命體系,帶領受苦的現代人走向一條從「治癒病理」邁向「生命圓滿」的全人療癒之路。




2026年6月3日 星期三

寧語藍實習日誌21: 參觀五股小學校園動物

參觀五股小學校園動物

今天,我參觀了位於新北市的五股小學。這次參觀非常愉快!我見到了學校的老師玉佳,她帶我參觀了校園,並簡要介紹了學校飼養校園動物的意義。除了動物保護這個主題,我還發現台灣和美國的校園生活差異非常有趣。令我驚訝的是,即使是公立學校,孩子們也需要穿著制服,而美國則沒有這種規定。我今天見到的校園動物是一隻名叫柴美的柴犬,它甚至還有一套狗狗尺寸的校服!


這所學校的第一隻校園動物是一隻狗,它大約在30年前來到學校。它在學校生活了近20年!當它去世後,老師們必須學習如何更好地向學生解釋悲傷,並幫助他們應對悲傷,以及與自己所愛的人(無論是寵物還是親人)告別的方法。因此,他們的方法已被納入學校的動物保護課程。課程的主要目的是幫助年輕一代了解關懷動物生命的重要性,以及飼養動物的責任。目前學校裡有兩隻“柴妹”和“柴哥”,分別譯為“柴犬姐姐”和“柴犬哥哥”。我覺得它們都非常可愛!不過,柴哥必須待在辦公室裡,因為它有咬傷孩子的紀錄。這也暴露了學校飼養動物的一些弊端。柴妹和它的弟弟是從台北一家非法養狗場救出來的,如果不是被救,它們很可能最終淪為流浪狗。儘管根據《動物保護法》,非法養狗場屬於嚴重違法行為,但在台灣,非法養狗場仍然是一個普遍存在的問題。


《動物保護法》是台灣關於動物保護政策和法規的主要法律。台灣保護動物生命權的法律非常重要,尤其考慮到台灣現在的貓狗數量已經超過了14歲及以下兒童的數量。令我驚喜的是,台灣設有隸屬於農林水產省的動物福利司。他們的規定似乎比美國更嚴格——在台灣,所有寵物都必須在政府的國家線上資料庫中登記,而在美國,給動物植入晶片是自願的,屬於個人決定。此外,台灣實行嚴格的「不殺生」政策——除非出於特定的醫療原因,否則不允許對流浪動物實施安樂死。

Campus Animal Visit at Wugu Elementary School

Today, I took a visit to Wugu Elementary School in New Taipei. I really enjoyed today’s visit! I met with a teacher from the school, Yujia, who showed me around the campus and gave me a short presentation about the purpose of campus animals at the school. Aside from the topic of animal protection, I found it very interesting to see how school life differs in Taiwan versus the United States. I was surprised to see that even at a public school, the children were required to wear school uniforms, which is not the case in the US. The campus animal I met today, a Shiba Inu named Chai Mei, even had a dog-sized school uniform for herself!

At this school, the first campus animal they had was a dog who first began living at the school around 30 years ago. She lived for almost 20 years at the school! When she passed, the teachers had to learn how to best explain grief to the students and provide methods for them to navigate sadness and saying goodbye to those they loved, whether that be pets or people. As a result, their methods have now been implemented into the animal protection curriculum at the school. The curriculum mainly serves to help teach the younger generation the importance of having empathy for the lives of animals, as well as understanding how important the responsibility of owning an animal is. The two campus animals there now are Chai Mei and Chai Ge, which translate to “Shiba Sister” and “Shiba Brother” in English, respectively. I found them both to be extremely adorable! However, Chai Ge has to be kept inside the office, as he has a history of biting kids. This showed some of the drawbacks of having campus animals in a school. Chai Mei and her brother were rescued from an illegal breeding farm in Taipei, and if they hadn't been rescued, they would’ve likely ended up as stray dogs. Despite being considered a serious offense under the Animal Protection Act, illegal dog breeding mills still remain a problem in Taiwan. 

The Animal Protection Act is the main piece of legislation regarding animal protection policies and regulations in Taiwan. Laws protecting the lives of animals in Taiwan are important, especially considering that there are now more cats and dogs in Taiwan than children aged 14 or younger. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Taiwan has a Department of Animal Welfare, which is under the Ministry of Agriculture. Their requirements seem to be stricter in the US - in Taiwan, every pet animal must be registered with the government in their national online database, whereas in the US, microchipping animals is optional and considered a personal decision. In addition, Taiwan has a strict “no-kill” policy - no stray animals are allowed to be euthanised unless for specific medical reasons. 

Overall, I think this was one of my favorite activities I've done so far!


寧語藍實習日誌20: 在辦公室上傳部落格文章

在辦公室上傳部落格文章

]今天,我與秘書長在辦公室會面,開始將我寫好的文章上傳到TCPA部落格網頁。看到我的實習經驗文章最終出現在頁面上,我感到非常欣慰。這是我第一次同時用英文和中文寫作,所以看到最終成果真的很棒。這對我來說將是一個很好的資源,因為我可以隨時分享鏈接,讓那些想更深入了解我在台灣實習經歷的人看到。我必須在發布每篇文章之前仔細檢查,因為雖然我可以使用谷歌翻譯,但它經常會翻譯錯誤或無法準確表達我原文的意思,所以我必須格外小心。上傳所有文章還需要一些時間,但是一旦完成,我就能擁有一個令我引以為傲的實習經歷電子版作品集。

雖然與當天的工作沒有直接關係,但我還是花了一些時間瀏覽《台北時報》,了解最近的新聞。其中一篇報導引起了我的興趣,文章討論了中國應用程式在台灣可供下載的可能性。然而,在數位事務部對這些應用程式進行測試時,許多應用程式因試圖獲取與其核心功能無關的關鍵資訊而未能通過。我非常關注的一個主題是中國在台灣的間諜活動。一些情報機構估計,目前有數千名中國間諜在台灣各地活動,其中包括台灣民間社會——而這正是台灣公民社會保護協會(TCPA)的工作領域。數位事務部對中國應用程式在台灣的使用表示擔憂,因為這些應用程式能夠追蹤用戶並將數據傳回北京,從而產生精確的地理位置信息,這些信息可能被用於潛在的對台灣的吞併。台灣被吞併的可能性是一個嚴肅而敏感的地緣政治話題,台灣政府正在盡最大努力對抗中國的情報機構。在我待在這裡的這段時間裡,我越來越擔心台灣的未來,以及美國在確保台灣維持主權國家地位方面可以發揮的作用。


Uploading Blog Posts in the Office

Today, I met with the Secretary General in the office to begin uploading my finished articles to the TCPA blog webpage. I found it very gratifying to finally see my articles of my internship experience uploaded onto the page. This is my first time ever writing something in both English and Chinese simultaneously, so it was really cool to see the finished product. This will be a good resource for me to have in the future, as I’ll have a direct link ready to share with people who want to take a closer look at my internship experience in Taiwan. I have to take a careful look at each article before I post it, because although I am able to use the assistance of Google Translate, if often mistranslates or incorrectly represents the original meaning of my sentences, so this is something I have to be careful with. It will take me some time to finish uploading all of the posts, however, once I’m done, I can have a digital representation of my internship portfolio that I’ll be proud to look at. 

While not directly related to the day’s activities, I spent some time scrolling through the Taipei Times to catch up on recent news. One article intrigued me, which was about the potential of Chinese apps being made available to download in Taiwan. However, when these apps were tested by the Ministry of Digital Affairs, many of them failed for attempting to access key information that was not directly related to their core functions. One topic I’m very interested in is Chinese espionage in Taiwan. Some intelligence agencies estimate that there are currently thousands of Chinese spies operating across Taiwan, which includes Taiwanese civil society, which is the field the TCPA operates within. The Ministry of Digital Affairs is concerned about the use of Chinese apps in Taiwan because of their ability to track and funnel user data back to Beijing, which can generate precise geolocation assets that could be used in a potential takeover of this island. The possibility of Taiwan’s annexation is a serious and sensitive geopolitical topic, and Taiwan’s government is doing their best to combat China’s intelligence apparatus. During my time here, I have grown concerned about Taiwan’s future and the role the United States could play in order to ensure Taiwan remains a sovereign state. 


寧語藍實習日誌19: 台語復興提案

台語復興提案

今天,我和何秘書長以及許慧盈常務理事第二次前往立法院研究大樓,與立委蔡易餘國會議員會面,討論台語問題。直到初到台灣才知道,台灣有自己獨立的語言,與漢語截然不同。雖然來台灣已經三個月了,但我接觸台語的機會不多。只有在公共場合聽到有人說一些聽不懂的話時,我才會想──這會不會是台語?即使現在,我仍然不太清楚台語的發音。不過,我注意到,即使是台灣的普通話,聽起來也與中國,特別是北京的普通話不同,北京的普通話聽起來更生硬。台灣的國語聽起來更柔和、更悅耳、更動聽。


他們的目標是成立台語復興委員會,以提高年輕一代的台語水平。他們認為台語是台灣的核心語言,絕大多數台灣人都能說國語和台語。然而,學校不教授台語,官方交流、公共生活等場合也不使用台語。大家都認為別人可能聽不懂台語,所以通常都用國語溝通。這導致台灣的語言環境不利於台語的學習與傳承,人們擔心台語會因此逐漸消失,使用率下降。我發現一個有趣的現象:台語熟練度最高的人群主要集中在嘉義縣;然而,支持使用台語的人群主要是60歲以上的居民,因為嘉義縣老年人口眾多。


我還發現一個特別有趣的論點:他們認為恢復台語意識是一個國家安全問題,因為它對台灣身份的維繫至關重要,也是「抵制」國話的必要手段。我簡直無法想像中國政府會對這種政策有何反應!這個論點讓我開始思考中共為了實現「民族團結」的目標而壓制少數民族語言的問題。在我的學習中,我們討論了中國西部的新疆地區,那裡的少數民族曾經遭受殘酷鎮壓。他們的母語維吾爾語遭到壓制,學校禁止使用維吾爾語,甚至連人名都被漢化。陌陌提到,國民黨過去也出於類似的目的壓制台灣語,但當然,現在的政府對此卻毫不在意。當時,被發現說本族語的學生會被強迫戴上「我不說本族語」的羞辱性標語。這項政策在1987年《國家語言發展法》通過後被廢除,該法賦予台灣所有民族語言平等的地位。


現在,我對台灣語的歷史有了更深的理解!我希望能夠繼續學習更多。


Taiwanese Language Revitalization Proposal

Today, Secretary-General He, Executive Director Hsu Hui-ying, and I visited the Legislative Yuan Research Building for the second time to meet with Legislator Tsai Yi-yu to discuss the Taiwanese language issue. It wasn't until I first arrived in Taiwan that I realized Taiwan has its own independent language, completely different from Mandarin. Although I've been in Taiwan for three months, I haven't had many opportunities to speak Taiwanese. Only when I hear someone speaking something I don't understand in public do I wonder—could this be Taiwanese? Even now, I'm still not entirely clear on the pronunciation of Taiwanese. However, I've noticed that even Taiwanese Mandarin sounds different from Mandarin spoken in China, especially Beijing Mandarin, which sounds harsher. Taiwanese Mandarin sounds softer, more pleasant, and more melodious.


Their goal is to establish a Taiwanese Language Revival Committee to improve the Taiwanese language proficiency of the younger generation. They believe Taiwanese is the core language of Taiwan, and the vast majority of Taiwanese can speak both Mandarin and Taiwanese. However, Taiwanese is not taught in schools, nor is it used in official exchanges or public life. Everyone assumes that others might not understand Taiwanese, so Mandarin is usually used for communication. This has created a linguistic environment in Taiwan that is unfavorable for the learning and transmission of Taiwanese, leading to concerns that the language may gradually disappear and its usage may decline. I've noticed an interesting phenomenon: the highest proficiency in Taiwanese is concentrated in Chiayi County; however, those who support its use are primarily residents over 60 years old, given Chiayi County's large elderly population.


I've also discovered a particularly interesting argument: they believe that restoring awareness of Taiwanese is a national security issue because it's crucial for maintaining Taiwanese identity and a necessary means of "resisting" Mandarin. I simply cannot imagine how the Chinese government would react to such a policy! This argument has made me start thinking about the CCP's suppression of minority languages ​​to achieve its goal of "national unity." In my studies, we discussed Xinjiang in western China, where ethnic minorities suffered brutal repression. Their mother tongue, Uyghur, was suppressed; schools banned its use, and even names were Sinicized. Momo mentioned that the Kuomintang suppressed Taiwanese for similar purposes in the past, but of course, the current government seems unconcerned. Back then, students found speaking their native language were forced to wear humiliating banners that read "I don't speak my native language." This policy was repealed after the passage of the National Language Development Act in 1987, which granted equal status to all ethnic languages ​​in Taiwan.


Now, I have a deeper understanding of the history of the Taiwanese language! I hope to continue learning more.


寧語藍實習日誌18: 練習感恩晚宴演講

練習感恩晚宴演講

今天,我來到辦公室練習我為台灣動物保護行政監督聯盟六月七日感恩午宴準備的演講稿。這週,在準備初稿的過程中,我有機會回顧了在台灣的這段時間,並思考我想向聽眾傳達什麼訊息。在場的各位應該都已經了解何宗勳秘書長辦公室所取得的卓越成就,因此,我想著重闡述如何才能最好地表達我在這裡期間對動物保護的感悟。台灣在動物保護方面所做的努力給我留下了深刻的印象,尤其與其他東亞國家(如中國和日本)相比。在訪問這些國家期間,我不幸地目睹了多起動物被塞進狹小籠子裡的事件,這讓我對這些國家動物保護的缺失感到憤怒和不安。目睹這些之後,我更加感激美國和台灣現有的動物保護法律,而在此之前,我從未過多關注過這些法律。


秘書長何宗勳都對演講內容表示滿意,這讓我很高興。不過,我需要花很多時間練習語調和發音,因為我讀演講稿中的許多單字都很吃力,畢竟我以前從未大聲朗讀過其中絕大部分內容。這些字詞相當複雜,但對於讓演講連貫流暢、準確傳達我的意思至關重要。在開始練習最終版本之前,我可能還會做一些修改,因為我還需要寫一個合適的結尾。不過,我很高興自己正朝著正確的方向前進。


在之後我參加的會議上,我有機會查看了該組織從政府收到的新當選理事長的選舉證書。這份證書正式確認了特定人士已合法當選為特定公民組織或非營利組織的領導或代表。這是我第一次見到台灣的正式法律文件(除了我自己的學生簽證),感覺非常有趣!


Practicing Thanksgiving Dinner Speech

Practicing My Thanksgiving Luncheon Speech


Today, I came to my office to practice my speech for the Taiwan Animal Protection Administrative Oversight Alliance's Thanksgiving Luncheon on June 7th. This week, while preparing the first draft, I had the opportunity to reflect on my time in Taiwan and consider the message I wanted to convey to the audience. Those present are likely already aware of the remarkable achievements of Secretary-General Ho Tsung-hsun's office; therefore, I want to focus on how best to express my reflections on animal protection during my time here. I was deeply impressed by Taiwan's efforts in animal protection, especially compared to other East Asian countries such as China and Japan. During my visits to these countries, I unfortunately witnessed many instances of animals being crammed into small cages, which angered and disturbed me regarding the lack of animal protection in these countries. After witnessing these events, I am even more grateful for the existing animal protection laws in the United States and Taiwan, laws I had previously paid little attention to.


I was happy that Secretary-General Ho Tsung-hsun expressed satisfaction with the speech. However, I need to spend a lot of time practicing my intonation and pronunciation because I'm struggling to read many words from the speech, as I've never read most of it aloud before. The vocabulary is quite complex, but crucial for making the speech coherent, fluent, and accurately conveying my meaning. I'll probably make some revisions before starting to practice the final version, as I also need to write a suitable ending. However, I'm glad I'm moving in the right direction.


At a later meeting, I had the opportunity to see the election certificate the organization received from the government for the newly elected chairman. This certificate formally confirms that a specific person has been legally elected as the leader or representative of a specific civic or non-profit organization. This was the first time I'd seen official Taiwanese legal documents (aside from my own student visa), and it was very interesting!

寧語藍實習日誌17: 參觀國家人權博物館

參觀國家人權博物館

今天,我決定去新北市京美白色恐怖紀念公園的國家人權博物館參觀,以進一步了解塑造台灣歷史的重要事件。了解台灣的民主之路對我來說很重要,因為直到三個月前來台灣之前,我根本不知道台灣曾經實行過戒嚴!我還驚訝地發現,這座博物館才開放八年,它成立於2018年。


博物館所在的京美拘留所仁愛樓就是當年關押政治異見人士的地方,白色恐怖時期就關在這裡。剛到的時候,那座高聳的混凝土建築群,頂部架著鐵絲網,讓我有些不安。一切都如此逼真,讓我震驚——彷彿真的回到了白色恐怖時期。


這些設施是為強迫勞動而設計的,參觀的時候,我彷彿看到了每天在這種艱苦的環境下工作,不知道什麼時候會被處決。


即使是居住在台灣以外的人也受到了白色恐怖時期的影響。著名台裔美籍記者劉漢明被國民黨政府授權的竹聯成員暗殺。他因撰寫蔣經國(時任台灣總統)的傳記而聞名。他的遇刺成為重大的政治醜聞,美國官員批評國民黨在美國本土組織政治暗殺。


了解政治宣傳如何在監獄中傳播也很有趣。囚犯只能閱讀和觀看經過審查和預先批准的資料,這主要針對印刷媒體。監獄裡有一個報紙閱覽板,上面貼著《中央日報》(國民黨的官方報紙),但所有「敏感」訊息都被剪掉了。囚犯們稱這些報紙為“洞洞報”,因為普通話裡“洞”的發音是“咚”。此外,如果有人想從圖書館借書,監獄當局會在書上蓋上一句中文成語:「不要忘記你們的使命是反抗中國共產黨,收復中國大陸」。令我震驚的是,《中央日報》一直發行到2006年,最終停刊只是因為國民黨無力償還不斷增加的債務。


參觀完監獄後,一個迫切的問題依然縈繞在我心頭:國民黨在策劃了台灣歷史上如此駭人聽聞的時期之後,是如何維持其政治支持的?在我看來,這就像納粹黨改頭換面,今天依然能在德國維持政治支持。這個問題我需要在接下來的時間進一步探究。


Visit to National Human Rights Museum

Today, I decided to visit the National Human Rights Museum in New Taipei City at the Jing-mei White Terror Memorial Park to further my knowledge about influential events that shaped Taiwan’s history. It’s important to me that I’m aware of Taiwan’s path to democracy, as I was unaware Taiwan was ever under martial law until I came here three months ago! I was also shocked to learn that the museum has only been open for eight years, as it was established in 2018. 

The actual detention center itself is the Ren-Ai building of Jingmei Detention Center, where political dissidents were housed during the White Terror period. When I first arrived, the imposing concrete complex fitted with barbed wire running along the top made me a little apprehensive. I was shocked at how realistic everything looked - it was as if I had stepped back in time to the actual White Terror period. 

The facilities were designed for forced labor, and while I visited, I imagined working in these exhausting conditions on a day to day basis, not knowing if execution was soon to come. 

Even those residing outside of Taiwan were affected by the White Terror period. Henry Liu, who was a well-known Taiwanese American journalist, was assassinated by members of the Bamboo Union, which was authorized by the KMT government. He became famous for authoring a biography of Chiang Ching-kuo, who was the president of Taiwan at the time. His assassination became a major political scandal, and American officials were highly critical of the KMT for organizing a political assassination on US soil. 

It was also interesting to learn about how political propaganda was dispersed throughout the facility. Inmates were only allowed to read and view censored and preapproved materials, of course, and this largely applied to print media. The prison had a newspaper reading board where newspapers from the Central Daily News (the official newspaper of the KMT) were located, but all “sensitive” information was cut out. The prisoners called these the “Dong Dong” newspapers because the word for hole in Mandarin means dong. In addition, if someone wanted to check out a book from the library, the prison authorities would stamp it with a Chinese idiom that said “Don’t forget your missions are to counterattack against Chinese communists and recover Mainland China”. I was shocked to learn that the Central Daily News remained in print until 2006, and was only closed due to its growing debts that the KMT was unable to maintain.

One pressing question that remains after visiting the site was how the KMT was able to maintain political support after orchestrating such a horrific period in Taiwan’s history. To me, it would be like if the Nazi Party rebranded and continued to maintain political support in Germany today. This is a question I will have to explore further during my remaining time here.


寧語藍實習日誌16: 如何回饋實習組織

 如何回饋實習組織

         今天,我再次在辦公室與何秘書長會面,繼續討論我的實習計畫。我最初提議創建一個LinkedIn個人資料,以幫助他們提升公共宣傳效果,但何先生擔心我回美國後該頁面的維護問題。因此,我重新思考,還能如何做出貢獻。我最初的目標是幫助台灣公民參與協會提升其英文公共關係知名度,以便國際受眾能夠與他們建立聯繫;於是,我開始思考實現這一目標的其他方法。經過一番思考,我想到了兩個方案。第一個方案是撰寫一篇關於該組織和我實習經驗的評論文章,並投稿給《台北時報》,這是目前台灣唯一一份英文報紙。第二個方案是製作一個英文的宣傳短片,並配上PPT幻燈片,供他們面向國際受眾使用。


         在我向何先生提出我的想法後,他建議我準備一份關於實習經歷以及我對台灣動物保護問題的了解的演講,在台灣動物保護監督網絡成立十五週年紀念活動上發表。除此之外,我還可以向《台北時報》投稿,並用中文做一個關於實習經驗的最終演講。雖然這些想法聽起來不錯,但我現在很緊張,因為要用中文做這麼長的演講。我擔心自己的聲調和發音,因為這些方面我一直不太擅長,所以我需要多加練習,確保演講流暢自然。不過,我很高興我們最終敲定了一個雙方都認可的計劃。我很期待最終的結果!


How to Give Back to the Internship Organization

Today, I met with Secretary-General Ho again in the office to continue discussing my internship project plan. I initially suggested creating a LinkedIn profile to help them improve their public relations efforts, but Mr. Ho was concerned about the page's maintenance after I returned to the US. Therefore, I reconsidered how else I could contribute. My initial goal was to help the Taiwan Citizen Participation Association raise its English public relations profile so that an international audience could connect with them; so I started thinking about other ways to achieve this goal. After some thought, I came up with two options. The first option was to write a review article about the organization and my internship experience and submit it to the Taipei Times, currently the only English-language newspaper in Taiwan. The second option was to produce an English promotional video with accompanying PowerPoint slides for their international audience.


After I presented my ideas to Mr. Ho, he suggested that I prepare a presentation about my internship experience and my understanding of animal protection issues in Taiwan to give at the 15th anniversary celebration of the Taiwan Animal Protection Monitoring Network. In addition, I could submit an article to the Taipei Times and give a final presentation about my internship experience in Chinese. While these ideas sound good, I'm quite nervous about giving such a long speech in Chinese. I'm worried about my intonation and pronunciation, as these are areas I've never been very good at, so I need to practice a lot to ensure my speech flows smoothly and naturally. However, I'm glad we finally settled on a plan that we both agree on. I'm really looking forward to the final result!


寧語藍實習日誌15: 國立二二八紀念館

 國立二二八紀念館

         今天,我根據何秘書長的推薦,進行了一次自助遊,參觀了位於台北的國立二二八紀念館。我選擇參觀一個展現中國歷史上重要事件的遺址,因為雖然我在台北已經待了大約三個月,但對台灣的歷史仍然知之甚少。紀念館有兩個主要展覽,第一個是常設展覽,第二個展覽則紀念延平書院及其在二二八事件中的角色。透過這次參觀,我不僅了解了二、二八事件,也了解了現代民主發展和人權狀況。


        在參觀之前,我從未聽說過二二八事件。我事先做了一些簡單的研究,發現二二八事件發生在1945年日本向盟軍宣戰、二戰結束後不久。日本的無條件投降意味著台灣擺脫了日本的殖民統治,台灣人民為獲得自治的機會而歡欣鼓舞。此後,蔣介石派遣軍隊扶植國民黨政府接管台灣,導致國民黨政府腐敗不堪,繼續像日本佔領時期那樣剝削台灣及其資源。新政府的高級官員中,只有極少數是台灣人,導致台灣民眾被排除在政府之外,實際上為政治起義埋下了伏筆。展覽中經常提到的這一「事件」也標誌著台灣白色恐怖時期的開始;這是國民黨長達43年的政治鎮壓時期。為了更深入了解這段歷史,我還想參觀位於新北市的景美白色恐怖紀念公園。


        在這次展覽中,我發現特別有趣的是它提到了《過渡時期司法法》。該法旨在透過賠償受害者和解密文件來幫助解決歷史遺留問題。儘管這起事件發生在近80年前,但就在去年,賴清德總統承諾加快開放政治檔案,以進一步探討真相。另一個讓我感興趣的話題是綠島(我之前只知道它是一個熱門的度假勝地),以及它如何被用作國民黨政府隔離和監禁政治犯的場所。


       總的來說,博物館精心設計的佈局以及多語種的信息呈現方式給我留下了深刻的印象,其中包括為講韓語、日語和英語的人士提供的資源。

National 228 Memorial Museum

Today, following Secretary-General He's recommendation, I took a self-guided tour and visited the National 228 Memorial Museum in Taipei. I chose to visit a site showcasing an important event in Taiwanese history because, although I've been in Taipei for about three months, I still know very little about Taiwan's history. The memorial has two main exhibitions: the first is a permanent exhibition, and the second commemorates Yanping Academy and its role in the 228 Incident. Through this visit, I not only learned about the 228 Incident but also about modern democratic development and the state of human rights.


Before the visit, I had never heard of the 228 Incident. I did some preliminary research and discovered that the 228 Incident occurred in 1945, shortly after the end of World War II, following Japan's declaration of war against the Allies. Japan's unconditional surrender meant that Taiwan was freed from Japanese colonial rule, and the Taiwanese people were overjoyed at the opportunity to gain autonomy. Subsequently, Chiang Kai-shek sent troops to support the Kuomintang government in taking over Taiwan, leading to widespread corruption and the continuation of exploiting Taiwan and its resources as during the Japanese occupation. Only a very small number of senior officials in the new government were Taiwanese, effectively excluding the Taiwanese people from the government and sowing the seeds for political uprising. This "event," frequently mentioned in the exhibition, also marks the beginning of Taiwan's White Terror period; a 43-year period of political repression by the Kuomintang. To gain a deeper understanding of this history, I also want to visit the Jingmei White Terror Memorial Park in New Taipei City.


What I found particularly interesting in this exhibition was its mention of the Transitional Period Judicial Act. This law aimed to help resolve historical issues through compensation for victims and the declassification of documents. Although this event occurred nearly 80 years ago, just last year, President Lai Ching-te pledged to expedite the opening of political archives to further explore the truth. Another topic that interested me was Green Island (which I previously only knew as a popular resort) and how it was used by the Kuomintang government to isolate and imprison political prisoners.


Overall, I was impressed by the museum's well-designed layout and multilingual information presentation, including resources for Korean, Japanese, and English speakers.


寧語藍實習日誌14: 校園動物保護教育委員會會議

 校園動物保護教育委員會會議

        今天,我在何秘書長的辦公室完成了兩項任務。首先,我幫他打包信封,裡面裝著動物保護宣傳冊和即將舉辦的活動的傳單。


        之後,我旁聽了他與校園動物保護教育委員會的會議。該委員會旨在聯合有飼養校犬經驗的教師,共同推廣校園動物保護。為了在學校落實動物保護,他們計劃推廣一系列動物保護教育材料,並將其融入學校課程。這一切都是為了培養學生對動物的保護意識。他們提到,過去曾與新北市政府合作,組織過許多校園動物照護的教師培訓。透過參與宣傳和教育活動,他們還可以改變公眾對流浪狗的看法,這也是動物保護的重要方面。這次實習讓我學到的一個重要經驗是:沒有宣傳活動,就沒有媒體報道;沒有媒體報道,就很難引起人們的注意。


         會中也提到,有教師認為應該對校園動物進行嚴格管理。這與我在美國的經歷截然不同。在美國,我在小學、國中甚至高中都接觸過校園動物。小學時,我們有兩個與動物相關的項目:一個是飼養毛毛蟲,觀察它們的變態過程;另一個是飼養小雞,學習如何照顧和尊重動物的生命。國中時,我的班主任養了一隻寵物龍貓,每個學生都可以在課間輪流照顧它和它的籠子。


        高中時,我的生物老師在教室裡養了一條她自己的寵物蛇,這條蛇似乎沒有什麼教學用途──只是供人觀賞而已。所以,看到大家對校園寵物問題如此熱烈地討論,我感到很驚訝——我一直以為這只是學校裡一個比較非正式的教育環節,主要由老師組織,沒有學校或政府的干預。


        他們的主要想法是讓委員會提出想法,然後由政府機構(例如教育部)來實施,因為他們在這方面資金和人力都比較有限。如同先前所說,他們認為動物保護教育本身就應該納入學校課程,現在已被歸類為「品格教育」。會議結束時,我有機會參觀了三所學校和校園動物,其中兩所位於新北,一所位於桃園,一所位於台中。我很期待親眼看看台北小學生的日常生活是什麼樣的!


School Animal Protection Education Committee Meeting

Today, I completed two tasks in Secretary-General He's office. First, I helped him pack envelopes containing animal protection brochures and flyers for upcoming events.


Afterward, I sat in on his meeting with the School Animal Protection Education Committee. This committee aims to unite teachers with experience caring for school pets to promote campus animal protection. To implement animal protection in schools, they plan to promote a series of animal protection educational materials and integrate them into the school curriculum. All of this is to cultivate students' awareness of animal protection. They mentioned that they have previously collaborated with the New Taipei City Government to organize many teacher training programs on school animal care. Through participation in publicity and education activities, they can also change public perception of stray dogs, which is also an important aspect of animal protection. One important lesson I learned from this internship is: without publicity campaigns, there is no media coverage; and without media coverage, it is extremely difficult to attract people's attention, which is necessary for the success of public policy initiatives.


The meeting also mentioned that some teachers believe that school animals should be strictly managed. This is very different from my experience in the United States, where I have encountered school animals in elementary, junior high, and even high school. In elementary school, we had two animal-related projects: one was raising caterpillars and observing their metamorphosis; the other was raising chicks to learn about the life cycle of birds. In junior high, my homeroom teacher had a pet chinchilla, and each student could take turns caring for it and its cage during breaks.


In high school, my biology teacher kept her own pet snake in the classroom, which seemed to have no educational purpose—it was just for display. Therefore, I was surprised to see such a heated discussion about school pets—I had always thought it was just a relatively informal educational activity in schools, mainly organized by teachers, without school or government intervention. None of the school pets were meant to serve the purpose of promoting animal protection education, so it was interesting to see how the same thing can be viewed from a different lens in different countries.


Their main idea was to have a committee propose ideas, which would then be implemented by government agencies (such as the Ministry of Education), as they have limited funding and manpower in this area. As mentioned earlier, they believe animal protection education should itself be incorporated into the school curriculum, as it is now categorized as "character education." At the end of the conference, I was given the opportunity to visit three schools and their campus animals, two in New Taipei City, one in Taoyuan, and one in Taichung. I'm really looking forward to seeing what the daily lives of elementary school students in Taipei are like!