Dear Believers of the Future,

After the 88 Typhoon (Morakot Typhoon) disaster in 2009, I and a few friends immediately started a fundraising campaign. That day, accompanied by the moving voice of an indigenous singer, I shed tears and decided to establish the Alliance Cultural Foundation (ACF). I pledged to work tirelessly for the sustainability of Hualien and Taitung (Huatung), especially for the indigenous youth, ensuring they have the wisdom and tools to face their homeland's future. The Alliance Cultural Foundation and Junyi School of Innovation have become my vehicles for this mission. Over the past nine years, we've witnessed transformations in Huatung, comprising both favorable and adverse changes. Development and sustainability frequently find themselves at odds, with development usually forging ahead while cultural and educational efforts lag behind. Nevertheless, I firmly believe that these elements should harmonize, and that's why I've directed my attention towards educational reform in recent years. I see education as the cornerstone for reshaping the structure of our society.

The Junyi Junyi Scholarship Program has been running for six years, and this year marks the graduation of our first batch of high school students. We believe that bringing economically disadvantaged children to the international stage is crucial for transforming tribal communities. This year, six Junyi students are studying abroad, and with the support of many, we aim to help more children as they spread their wings.

In recent years, under Principal Huang’s leadership, Junyi has seen significant growth. In the 2018 academic year, we welcomed three outstanding educators to our team. Anthony Cluver returned as Vice Principal, while two teachers embarked on remarkable changes. Teacher Chung Chang-hung, an expert in flipped classroom teaching and recipient of the Teacher's Medal, joined as Vice Principal. Teacher Lany Wei-ying, with 20 years of teaching experience, became the Executive Director of the Teacher Education Center. Both teachers left secure positions to contribute to our mission. We hope their efforts will impact rural education reform during this critical time.

Since 2017, the foundation has partnered with the National Changhua University of Education's Teacher Education Center for the Ministry of Education's Annual Induction Training for New Teachers. We assist in curriculum planning, invite speakers, and train co-learning facilitators. Each year, about 2,500 new teachers from kindergarten to high school attend our three-day training sessions. We also invited over 340 experienced teachers to support and mentor these new educators. This initiative has significantly contributed to educational reform in Taiwan. Additionally, we provide administrative support to teacher communities like Sharestart Method, Sci-Flipper, and Teacher Lany Wei-ying's collaborative workshops, bolstering the promotion of their educational philosophies.

Over the past nine years, we've supported various indigenous communities in Huatung, witnessing both growth and challenges. Specifically, Changbin and Fengbin, located between Taitung and Hualien, have shown promise in preserving their unique culture and attracting tourists, despite being among the lowest-income towns in Taiwan in 2016. To enhance these areas and address recent setbacks caused by a decline in tourism due to factors like a decrease in mainland Chinese visitors and the Hualien earthquake, we launched the "Promotion of Tourism Industry in Changbin/Fengbin Township" project in April. This initiative aims to encourage local businesses to collaborate and improve their services through workshops, consultations, and pilot travel programs. We're also planning to invite influencers from Hong Kong, Japan, and influential media and travel writers to explore the region and promote in-depth travel experiences in Huatung.

Looking ahead, indigenous cultures in Huatung are vital Austronesian resources. Thanks to board member Mr. Quintin Wu, we annually select a young representative for the Asian Executive Management Program (AEMP) to participate at the Brigham Young University-Hawaii, and organize study tours. These initiatives have sponsored nearly 50 individuals. Since 2019, we've been integrating past participants into "Learning Communities" to find common ground for the tribes, Huatung, and Taiwan's sustainable development. Together, we aim to elevate indigenous culture to new heights, becoming a source of pride for Taiwan and achieving sustainability.

I'm truly thankful for the support we've received, including donations and volunteers. Your response to our vision, whether in Taiwan or abroad, has been extraordinary. Thank you for backing our mission to empower the future generations of Taiwan through education, as we firmly believe this is the catalyst for shaping Taiwan's future!

Chairman

Stanley Yen