Prompted by Taichung City Government, the Guangfu New Village situated International Non-Government Organization (INGO) expects to expand Taiwan’s international recognition by global major NGOs’ station-in. While the city has joined the competition for hosting the “Global Forum on Modern Direct Democracy, GFMDD”, last December during his visit to Taiwan, the Forum President Bruno Kaufmann was invited by Mayor Lin as an international consultant to INGO and he agreed. Today (12) on the Municipal Administrative Meeting, Bruno Kaufmann is certified by Deputy Mayor Lin Ling-san for the position.

Witnessed by Deputy Mayor Zhang Guang-yao, Lin Yi-ying, bureau directors and representatives, on the Municipal Administrative Meeting the President of GFMDD received the Letter of Appointment of INGO international consultant today (12) from Deputy Mayor Lin Ling-san.

Deputy Mayor Lin Yi-ying indicated that the city government promotes INGO in hoping for international NGOs’ stationing. During the Hualian earthquake this time, Taichung special search team took quick reaction, organized a rescue squad with sniffer dog “Tiexiong” and successfully locate survivors. The sniffer dog completed its two-year training at Zhushan Fire Bureau Training Center before returning to Guangfu New Village this January as the location is close by the 921 Earthquake Museum of Taiwan for continuous training, and the future INGO will be based here to benefit international interaction.

Deputy Mayor Lin also mentioned that the beginner union training for fire fighter class co-hosted with Bình Dương, Vietnam has not only enhanced Taiwan and Vietnam’s firefighting experience, but also proves Taiwan’s ability to educate southeast Asian professionals, as well as the potential and competency to invite international major organizations’ stationing. Taichung will be hosting the GFMDD next year, based on the strength of these achievement showing that Taichung is the center of INGO.

As per Bruno Kaufmann, the important thing during the promotion of democracy back when he was deputy mayor in Sweden, is that the public’s voice to be heard, to be valued. To better facilitate, the government needs to collaborate with NGOs, public organizations, more trainings need to be carried out to implement democracy.

He pointed out that it is a positive movement for Taichung City to promote INGO. Despite the difference of culture and politics in every country, there are things international that are worthy of mutual effort, and to value the voice of people, to promote civic engagement; ten years ago the Global Forum on Modern Direct Democracy started, it’s happy to see it coming back to Asia next year and continues the Forum in Taichung. Through mutual learning and experience exchange, it is believed that a deeper foundation will be built for the development of democracy.

After accepting the Letter of Appointment and commemorative medal in the morning, President Bruno Kaufmann visited in the afternoon at Guangfu New Village where the INGO locates. The on-site inspection and INGO future plan hearing were followed by a discussion with project team members.

President Kaufmann praised the current planning for INGO and believed in its future development and the impact it shall make to the Asian countries. Kaufmann made a suggestion on the media function should be enhanced for the stationed INGOs to make their voice heard to the world.

While “Tiexiong” has stationed in INGO, President Kaufmann scheduled a visit to the hero searching dog who successfully found survivors during the Hualian earthquake. “Taiwan can play a critical part with its rescue ability in an international alliance, a great demonstration of Taiwan soft power.” Said President Kaufmann.

As the city government indicated, the first Global Forum on Modern Direct Democracy held its first forum in 2008 in Aarau, Swiss, and this year in Rome. Next year Taichung will be the hosting city of the forum. The Forum has been focusing on direct democracy including subjects like referendum, digital democracy, human rights, etc., and Taichung has achieved many relevant implementation such as Participatory Budget and Youth Commission. The ongoing INGO construction will continue the linking path towards international stage.