Dear Believers of the Future,

The coexistence of nature and art is not just a unique trait of Hualien-Taitung (Huatung) but also reflects a global trend.

The Alliance Cultural Foundation (ACF) has been actively involved in Huatung and Taiwan for over a decade, and I deeply appreciate your support, which has empowered us to boldly pursue our public welfare initiatives. Our overarching goal remains unchanged: to establish Junyi School of Innovation as a cornerstone for nurturing future talents in Huatung, to position the Paul Chiang Art Center as a new cultural and artistic hub for visitors from across Taiwan and around the world, and to provide indigenous cultural experiences through institutions like the Forest Culture Museum and GS Forest.

Recently, I came across a statistic: only 30% of people thrive in traditional learning environments, while the remaining 70% excel through hands-on experiences. While Taiwan's education system is evolving, many schools continue to primarily cater to the 30%, leaving numerous young minds uninspired. Paradoxically, in Huatung, where most fall within the 70% bracket, the majority of policymakers and educators belong to the 30%. Our mission is to bridge this gap. Fortunately, Junyi School of Innovation is on the right path, with years of commitment to Waldorf education, extracurricular activities, and creative studies, to nurture students' holistic development with a focus on building "character, life skills, and work ethics.”

Apart from education, art and nature are essential for human well-being. Anticipated to fully open its doors to the public in 2024, the Paul Chiang Art Center had a partial opening, welcoming visitors of all ages. This reinforced our belief that art is not exclusive to the privileged; it is a universal treasure for all. Additionally, Taitung is home to seven out of sixteen indigenous tribes in Taiwan, comprising one-third of the population in Taitung. Each tribe possesses a rich tapestry of indigenous culture. I envision the Art Center, in collaboration with cultural sites in the region, becoming a bridge between Huatung and the world, fostering cultural exchange and mutual enrichment.

Public Welfare is a Discipline 

I've discovered that many social welfare programs primarily emphasize charity, almsgiving, and emergency relief. However, they often come up short in assisting individuals dealing with economic hardship or those who find it challenging to adapt to the mainstream education system. Long-term guidance and comprehensive support systems are still in the developmental stages, with scholarships being one of the limited available options.

If we were to categorize public welfare into different stages, I would describe 1.0 as "Charity," which is crucial for poverty alleviation and disaster relief, areas where Taiwan excels, thanks to numerous religious groups. Version 2.0 would be "Empowerment," providing education or work environments that bring meaning to life and help individuals find value in their work. Version 3.0 would be "Excellence," offering long-term support mechanisms. For instance, Junyi School of Innovation provides comprehensive education from elementary through high school, even to domestic and international universities, fostering a holistic approach to transforming a student's life.The ultimate version, 4.0, is "Replication," which involves leveraging government policies and sharing experiences with others. Junyi School aspires to reach 4.0, aiming to offer solutions to rural education in hope of bringing about significant change. To quote the philosopher, architect, and inventor Richard Buckminster Fuller, “You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.”

Over the past 13 years, the Alliance Cultural Foundation has made gradual progress towards Huatung's sustainability. As we enter the 3.0 stage, we aim to bring influential individuals to Taitung, and through their words or works, share our mission in their respective countries. I anticipate that we will see tangible results within the next three to five years.

While we may not have the power to change the chaos of society, we are wholeheartedly dedicated to transforming culture, civilization, and education in rural areas. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude for your support of the Alliance Cultural Foundation and Junyi School of Innovation. I hope that 2023 will be a year of peace, culture, and civilization, with the pandemic behind us. I wish everyone good health and success in all their endeavors.

Chairman

Stanley Yen