2017 Roundtables
What are roundtables?
discussionsRoundtables are where delegates have in-depth discussions about their Roundtable theme. Delegates of both sides research the topics in preparation for the discussions.
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action plansEach Roundtable will implement an action plan during the course of the conference.
At the conclusion of the conference, Roundtables will present on their action plans to a panel of experts and scholars. |
Making RipplesTASC is determined to become a “ripplemaker” in both Taiwan and America. Roundtables are where TASCers turn ideas into actions. Our actions in turn inspire even more people to understand the issues and make a difference.
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how do roundtables work?
pre-conference meetingsBefore meeting in Taiwan, Roundtables will hold online meetings. Pre-conference meetings are an opportunity for delegates to get to know each other, discuss relevant topics, and brainstorm possible action plans.
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speeches and site visitsSite visits and speaker events provide opportunities for TASCers to learn more about the issues they tackle in Roundtables through first hand experience and interactions with renowned experts.
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RT days"RT Days" will be scheduled into the itinerary. On RT Days, each Roundtable can visit relevant sites, connect with the local community, prepare for their final presentation, or carry out action plans. Each Roundtable has full discretion over how to run their RT Days.
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mid-conference presentationMid-Conference, there will be one day for Roundtables to share their progress with other Roundtables and receive helpful suggestions from one another. Delegates will also have the chance to share their thoughts on the conference so far.
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final forumOn the last day of the conference, distinguished guests and alumni from various fields will join us for our final forum. Here, Roundtables present their action plans they have carried out, share reflections on their action plans, and propose for more initiatives. Our guests and alumni provide constructive criticisms and recommendations for the long-term implementation of the action plans.
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POST-CONFERENCETASC is currently entering its third year. As our body of alumni increases, our network and influence expand as well. TASC is currently building a platform to share the proposals brought up each year, so that alumni from each year can provide guidance. As TASC alumni, we will continue to engage actively with TASC to ensure progress in Taiwan, the United States, and the world.
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2016 ROUNDTABLE TOPICS
Trans-pacific entrepreneurship
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In this thriving world, business and entrepreneurship nowadays are absolutely essential. Many of the top entrepreneurs have the ability to influence the world. Being an entrepreneur and establishing a business is what many people desire. And it’s a global phenomenon. With geographic location no longer a barrier, business is conducted in real-time. Despite being an ocean apart, Taiwan and the United States continue to have strong economic ties. Unfortunately, along with the rest of the World, the U.S. and Taiwan trade relationship has slowed amidst an economic crisis. Innovation and entrepreneurship are arguably the best answers to a crisis jarred with stagnancy. The rise and success of “start-up” ventures supported by non-traditional funding methods are becoming the new norm. With highly-educated and wealthy populations, do Taiwan and the United States have the capacity to be at the helm of an entrepreneurial revolution of sorts?
The Trans-Pacific Entrepreneurship roundtable will first examine the economic environment nowadays of both Taiwan and the U.S. respectively. Once we have full understanding of each other, we could have further discussion on how could we strengthen the ties across the pacific. Entrepreneurship isn’t only about starting a business but also about establishing a new culture on what you believe. Roundtable Leader: Amy Chang |
Further Reading
Coming soon... |
cultural conflict and identity
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With the advent of globalization, people of assorted backgrounds and identities are brought together, which highlights the importance of understanding and respecting different cultures. In Taiwan, the recent meeting between mainland and Taiwan heads of government for the first time in 66 years opened a historic chapter in cross-Strait relations, whereas the concept of “one family” raised some issues when defining “we” and “they”. In the U.S., the Supreme Court has ruled that same-sex marriage is legal nationwide since June 26, 2015. The unprecedented change is highly acclaimed across the globe and a sea of rainbow flags prevail worldwide to cheer for the moment. The U.S. set a model which left much for Taiwan to learn for LGBTQ issues. Besides, in both countries, influx of foreigners arouses the concerns of inequality or discrimination against different races. How to ensure different voices are on a par is also to be covered.
While these are some issues to be tackled in this roundtable, still we expect to explore more problems unseen but hurtful, and examine how different modes of expression facilitate our understanding of self-identity. We will identify laws that lead to just and unjust consequences, and discuss the impact of systematic inequality on self-expression. We value collective voice to deal with identities of different peoples, dig into conflicts induced by cultural discord, and most importantly, find possible solutions to the knots. Roundtable Leader: Jasmine Wu |
Further Reading
Coming soon... |
modern issues in education
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Education is what forms a person’s identity and culture background. Therefore, there would always be ongoing debates about the ultimate goals and ways of education. In Taiwan, many criticize the education system for over emphasizing exam scores, academic subjects, and rote memorization. Students were forced to struggle between their academics performance and develop their interests outside of classroom. On the other hand, the United States’ “No Child Left Behind Act” had also resulted in disputes about socioeconomic and racial disparities, as well as the lack of governmental funding and improvement for the public school system. Whatever the case, a country's education system is key to its future well-being and global clout.
At this roundtable, we will compare and understand the differences between Taiwanese and American education systems, and analyze the advantages and disadvantages of each system. We will also identify specific and pressing issues commonly found in both countries. Finally, we will find innovative and realistic solutions to our selected problems. Roundtable Leader: Vicky Yi-Hsuan Yeh |
Further Reading
Coming soon... |
Environmental sustainability
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This December, negotiators from 195 countries gathered at Paris to make the agreement to limit the global warming to a maximum of 2o Celsius. However, many people are curious about how this accord will be more effective than the previous climate agreements. Moreover, during the course of industrial development, CO2 is not the only detrimental exhaust to our environment. Aside from the intended contributions of the nations, what can we ordinary people do to stop the environment from becoming worse?
In this Roundtable, we will bridge the gap between understanding current environment issues and addressing them with concrete solutions by exploring the possibilities of environmentally sustainable models and analyzing their political, social, and technological implications. Roundtable Leader: Gary Chu |
Further Reading
Coming soon... |
media and communication
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2016 is the year for both the 14th Taiwan presidential election and the 58th U.S. presidential election. It is easy to get information regarding the presidential candidates from several media outlets. In other words, media is a useful tool for these candidates to spread their ideas to the audience. Obviously, people nowadays rely a lot on the media for all kinds of resources. Politics, economics, culture, and technology are all connected with the media and communication. As the variety of media gains, we are now at the era of information explosion. Therefore, it is important to know how to choose from the media and your role in it.
In the Media and Communication Roundtable, we discuss the characteristics and problems of media from both countries. Although it is hard to change the big environment of media by us, we could still do something small from ourselves. Understanding how media influences our perceptions and actions is the first step. We should also learn about the relation between technology and media. More importantly, in what means can we use media and communication to promote consciousness? Take a look at what we’ve done in 2015, visit our site! Roundtable Leader: Jennifer Lin |
Further Reading
Coming soon... |