立法院游錫堃院長3月29日下午在本院民進黨團柯建銘總召、何志偉委員、民眾黨團賴香伶副總召、時代力量黨團王婉諭幹事長、林志嘉秘書長、周雅淑顧問、秘書處孔秉杰處長及外交部曾厚仁次長、北美司陳慧蓁副司長、台灣民主基金會黃玉霖執行長、陳婉宜副執行長陪同下，接見美國「國家民主基金會」（NED）會長威爾森(Damon Wilson)訪團一行。
游院長首先向威爾森會長訪團一行致歡迎詞，並表示該會長期推展民主價值，保障公民權利及人類自由意志，是一件艱難卻又至關重要的事情，盼今年10月預計舉辦的第11屆「世界民主運動」全球大會首度在台舉行，可以向與會夥伴分享百年來台灣民主化的經驗與成就，鼓勵大家持續對抗專制極權，以利全球民主化早日實現。
威爾森會長隨後致詞時表示，很高興來到代表民主真諦的立法院，他們體會到台灣人的熱情，國家民主基金會設立主要是為促進自由民主價值，此次在亞洲的第一站便是台灣，以此作為對台灣公民社會貢獻及努力的肯定。台灣的民主給大家許多啟發，台灣不僅是民主化國家，更充分展現了民主的韌性及團結，若大家不珍惜民主價值將會導致嚴重的後果。例如緬甸、香港、立陶宛所面臨的壓力，以及烏克蘭現今遭到俄羅斯入侵，皆是因為輕忽了民主的重要性。儘管未來挑戰很多，但大家仍要樂觀以對，民主自由夥伴只要團結便能創造非凡的結果。希望此次訪台除了能夠帶來這樣的精神，也期待10月的「世界民主運動」全球大會跟所有民主陣營人士齊聚一堂，聆聽台灣分享過去民主化的經驗，互相學習，他亦非常期待10月再度來到台灣跟各界人士的對話，傾聽台灣的經驗及故事。
會中游院長向威爾森會長再次表示該會與台灣民主基金會合辦「世界民主運動」全球大會是正確的決定，且今日與會貴賓除了執政黨的國會領袖，亦有在野黨團幹部出席，台灣民主基金會的董事成員均有各政黨代表，顯示台灣對民主的重視，也反映了台灣在經濟學人資訊社(EIU)的全球民主指數排行第八的結果，是各政黨共同合作努力而來。
隨後民主進步黨團柯建銘總召致詞時表示，美國國家民主基金會於1983年以來，受到美國國會長期重視，挹注的經費逐年增加，顯示政治經歷完整的威爾森會長長期經營有成。台灣過去經歷了長達38年的戒嚴時期，是全世界戒嚴最久的國家，其中也有許多民主鬥士的犧牲，表示台灣的民主是經過不斷努力獲得，台灣人也都非常珍惜，至今台灣仍透過轉型正義為台灣的民主深化努力。這次全球大會預定在台灣舉行，是台灣的光榮，相信能對台灣的民主有更進一步的貢獻。
台灣民眾黨團賴香伶副總召致詞時表示，全球大會選定在台舉辦象徵了世界對台灣的肯定，過去有許多台灣人為勞工、環保、婦女等議題走上街頭爭取權益，今日在立法院許多委員都是當時民主運動的前輩，即使大家在每一個議題上持有不同意見，但在主要議題上，例如透過修憲讓國家正常化，是許多人同心努力的目標，國家民主基金會訪台也讓台灣人可以分享更多相關的事件及民主精神。
時代力量黨團王婉諭幹事長致詞時表示，台灣的自由民主得來不易，對於現狀不應感到自滿，而應該要持續捍衛及推動民主深化，包含先前柯總召提及轉型正義，或是推動及落實如身心障礙或是兒童人權權益，更希望國際上同陣營的夥伴共同為這些議題努力，持續對國際間違反人權及妨礙民主自由的行為表達抗議。
會中雙方就「世界民主運動」全球大會、台灣民主化進程、社會運動、國家正常化、修憲、轉型正義等議題交換意見，合影留念並致贈紀念品後於15時30分結束。
President You Si-kun: It is hoped that Taiwan can share its experience in democratization over the past century through the Global Assembly of the World Movement for Democracy and the global democratization will be realized at an earliest date.
On March 29 afternoon, Legislative Yuan President You Si-kun along with the Democratic Progressive Party Whip Ker Chien-ming, Legislator Mark Ho, Taiwan People’s Party Caucus Deputy Whip Lai Hsiang-ling and New Power Party Caucus Director General Wang Wan-yu, Legislative Secretary General Lin Jih-jia, Consultant Chou Ya-Shu, Secretariat Director Kung Ping-chieh, Deputy Foreign Minister Dr. Harry H.J.Tseng, Deputy Director General Regine H.J. Chen of the Department of North American Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Taiwan Foundation for Democracy (TFD) President Huang Yu-lin and Vice President Ketty C. Chen to receive the delegaion led by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) President Damon Wilson .
President You started by delivering welcome remarks, stating that NED has long pomoted the value of democracy, protected civil rights and the free will of mankind, which is a difficult and importatnt task. It is hoped that Taiwan’s experience in democratization over the past centry can be shared through the Global Assembly of the World Movemenet for Democracy and global democratization will be realized at an earliest datethe in the 11th Global Assembly of the World Movement for Democracy scheduled to be held in October for the first time in Taiwan .
Followed by President Wilson’s remarks stating that he is delighted to visit the Legislative Yuan. Its seats represent the core of democracy. The entire delegation is grateful for the warm welcome of the people of Taiwan. NED was established to promtoe the values of freedom and democracy. Taiwan marks their first stop in Asia to recognize the contributions and efforts of Taiwan’scivil society. Taiwan’s democracy is inspirational and fully demonstrates democratic resilience and solidarity. It is consequential in terms of the value of democracy as we see the cases in Mynmar, Hong Kong and the pressure Lithuania faces and Russian invasion in Ukraine.We are optimistic when we face the future challenges. Ordinary people from the camp of democracy and freedom will create extraordinary results. He hopes that their visit will bring this energy with them to Tawian. They look forward to get together will all democracy advocates in the Global Assembly of World Movement for Democracy in October and to Tawian’s sharing of expereinces of democratization to learn from each other. He looks forward to visiting Taiwan in October once again to have dialogue with all participants to listen to Tawian’s experiences and stories.
During the meeting, President You ensured President Wilson that NED makes the right decision to cohost the global assembly with TFD. IHe firther stated that n addition to the congressioanal leader of the ruling party, leaders of opposition parties were also present to welcome the delegation. President You continue to state that the TFD board members are comprised of different political parties, showing Tawian’s attachement of great importance to democracy and reflecting the fact that Taiwan ranked as the eighth-strongest democracy in the world, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit's new 2021 Democracy Index. It is the hardly-earned result from the collecteive efforts of all political parties.
Democratic Progressive Party Caucus Whip Ker Chien-ming then delivered his welcome remarks, stating that since its inception in 1983, NED has received increasing attention from the US Congress with increasing annual budget, showing that President Wilson has done an excellent job with his abundant political experiences. Taiwan has experience 38 years, the longest period of the Marshall Law in history. Many democratic fighters sacrificed their lives during that period of time, a testament to the fact that Taiwan’s democracy is hardly-earned. Therefore, the people of Taiwan cherish this result very much. As of today, Taiwan is still making efforts in deepening democracy through transitional justice. It is a great honor of Taiwan to have the opportunity to host the global assembly and it is believed that the global assembly will be conducive to Taiwan’s democracy.
Followed by the remarks of Taiwan’s People’s Party Caucus Deputy Whip Lai Hsiang-ling, stating that the global assembly to be held in Taiwan is a recognition of Taiwan. In the past, the people of Taiwan spared no efforts in fighting for the rights and interests of laborer, environmental protection and women. Many legislators nowadays are the senior democracy advocates at that time. Despite disagreements on different issues, both the ruling and opposition parties share the consensus in major issues, such as national normalization through constitutional amendment. This is the shared goal that deserve the collective efforts. NED delegation’s visit to Taiwan allows its people to learn more about related events and the spirit of democracy.
When the New Power Party Caucus Director General Wang Wan-yu addressed her remarks, she said that Taiwan’s freedom and democracy are hardly-earned and we should not be content about the status quo. Instead, we need to continue to safeguard and promote the deepening of democracy, including the transitional justice mentioned by the DPP Caucus Whip Ker and promoting and improving the human rights and interest of mentally and physically disabled community and children. She hoped that like-minded partners can work together to advance these causes and to continue to fight and protest against any violation of democracy and freedom.
During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on issues related with global assembly of the World Movement for Democracy, Taiwan’s democratization, social movement, national normalization, constitutional amendment, transitional justice. The meeting ended at 15:30 after group photos and exchange of gifts.
附錄
游院長致詞全文：
威爾森會長、玖楠主任、李琳副主任、柯建銘總召、何志偉委員、賴香伶副總召、王婉諭幹事長、林志嘉秘書長、曾厚仁次長、黃玉霖執行長、陳婉宜副執行長，各位貴賓、各位同仁：大家好！
首先我代表立法院及台灣民主基金會，竭誠歡迎威爾森會長及各位貴賓。威爾森會長領導美國「國家民主基金會」耕耘民主領域，站在第一線聲援各種民主倡議與行動，對民主議題的支持及付出，令人敬佩。
貴會長期幫助世界各地的民主倡議者及團體，協助推展民主價值，每年援助超過100個國家的非政府組織，協助其發展民主計畫。因為您們的支持，讓全球愛好自由民主的人權鬥士們知道自己並不孤單，也更有勇氣去對抗威權與專制。我知道，您們曾因為幫助香港民主人士及NGO組織，被中國列為制裁名單，正因為台灣經歷過軍事統治，並位處對抗中共霸權的最前線，所以我們更能深刻體會貴會在威權政體的阻撓下，推展民主，保障公民權利及人類自由意志，是一件多麼艱難卻又至關重要的事情。
事實上，現在被國際視為民主典範的台灣，在追求民主的道路上並非一帆風順。過去百年來的五大組黨運動，曾發生1931年「台灣民眾黨」被解散、1947年「二二八大屠殺」、1960年雷震籌組「中國民主黨」坐牢、及1979年「美麗島大逮捕」事件，直至1986年才正式衝破黨禁成立反對黨。其後歷經1987解除戒嚴、1992國會全面改選、1996總統直選，台灣才有今天四黨公平競爭的民主政治體制。
近年來，台灣四大政黨不遺餘力地共同推動民主發展，除了發表聲明譴責香港政府以暴力的方式處理反送中和平抗議的民眾，也曾通過決議聲援緬甸的民主，近日也發表聲明譴責俄羅斯侵略烏克蘭的惡行，充分顯現台灣跨黨派一起維護印太區域穩定發展的決心，及對民主深化與維護人類自由的努力。
非常榮幸，台灣民主基金會有機會與貴會合辦第11屆「世界民主運動」全球大會，這是首度在台舉行。順利的話，今年10月將有來自全球超過100個國家，約三、四百位自由民主夥伴抵達台灣共襄盛舉。「台灣民主基金會」非常高興能為國際社群培養新一代民主工作者及人類共享民主價值盡一份心力。敬盼透過此次大會，可以向與會夥伴分享百年來台灣民主化的經驗與成就，鼓勵大家持續對抗專制極權，以利全球民主化的早日實現。
最後，期待未來能夠與貴會有更多及更深入的合作，敬祝「世界民主運動」全球大會籌備順利，各位嘉賓平安健康、萬事如意！
National Endowment for Democracy President and CEO Wilson, NED Director Jonen, NED Associate Director Lee, Democratic Progressive Party Whip Ker,Chien-Ming, Legislator Ho, Chih-Wei, Taiwan People’s Party Deputy Whip Lai,Hsiang-Ling, New Power Party Legislator Wang,Wan-Yu, General Secretary Lin Jih-Jia, MOFA Deputy Minister Harry Tseng, Ho-Jen, Taiwan Foundation for Democracy President Huang, TFD Vice President Chen, Distinguished guests, Esteemed colleagues:
Good afternoon!
On behalf of the Legislative Yuan and the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, I warmly welcome President Wilson of the National Endowment for Democracy and all our distinguished guests. President Wilson has wholeheartedly devoted himself to promoting democracy through NED, standing on the front lines to support democratic initiatives and movements. His efforts and contributions are truly remarkable.
NED has long helped advocates and organizations around the world promote democratic values. Each year, it assists NGOs in more than 100 countries develop democratic programs. With NED’s support, human rights activists dedicated to freedom and democracy worldwide know that they are not alone. This boosts their courage, empowering them to resist ever more strongly the injustices of authoritarian and dictatorial regimes. China imposed sanctions on NED for aiding prodemocracy activists and NGOs in Hong Kong. Due to Taiwan’s history of military rule and its current position on the front lines, defending against Chinese Communist Party hegemony, we profoundly understand the difficulties NED faces. But despite the challenges, it is vital to continue promoting democracy, safeguarding civil rights, and ensuring self-determination.
Even Taiwan, now recognized internationally as a beacon of democracy, followed a winding path in its pursuit of democracy. Over the past century, major turning points included the disbanding of the Taiwan People’s Party in 1931, the February 28 Incident in 1947, the imprisonment of Lei Chen for attempting to establish the Chinese Democratic Party in 1960, and the Formosa Incident arrests in 1979. It was not until 1986 that the ban on the formation of new political parties was lifted. Martial law ended in 1987, and the comprehensive reelection of the congress was held in 1992. The year 1996 saw direct presidential elections, and Taiwan became the free and fair democracy the world knows today.
Since then, Taiwan’s four major political parties have strived to promote the development of democracy. In recent years, they have issued a statement condemning the Hong Kong government for its violent crackdown on peaceful protests against the China extradition bill and passed a resolution in solidarity with democracy in Myanmar. This month, they issued a statement condemning Russian aggression in Ukraine. These efforts demonstrate Taiwan’s cross-party determination to jointly safeguard the stable development of the Indo-Pacific region, as well as deepening global democracy and freedom.
It is a special honor for TFD to partner with NED to cohost the 11th Global Assembly of the World Movement for Democracy, which will be held in Taiwan for the first time. We look forward to welcoming approximately 400 liberal democratic partners from over 100 countries in October. TFD is pleased that Taiwan will be able to contribute to the development of a new generation of democracy advocates and promote democratic values within the international community. This conference will enable Taiwan to share its experience and achievements in democratization over the past century. We hope it will also encourage our partners to continue resisting authoritarianism and contribute to the early realization of global democratization.
In the future, Taiwan looks forward to more and deeper cooperation with NED. I wish you all the best in your preparations for the World Movement for Democracy event and may you all enjoy good health, peace, and prosperity. Thank you!
