■ September, 2009

Last year, after several meetings and discussions of the nominating committee, convened by Honorary Chairman, Cecilia Y. Koo, and the Constitution Committee, convened by Vice President, Marisa Chen, the proposal of candidates and the proposed amendment allowed members of the General Assembly successfully complete the board re-election and adoption of the charter amendments on September 27th. The attendance rate of the first meeting of the 6th General Assembly was over 82%. It was due to members and their deputies' enthusiasm. Member's eager spirit is the driving force of our council. It is a great honor for me to be re-elected as the sixth chairman, I will devote every effort to meet up with all member's affirmation.

The council has a long-term commitment to the domestic women's international participation by sending delegates to the Commission of Status of Women, held at the United Nations Headquarter, New York, in which the issues of international women's concern were able to be brought back and shared domestically. We continue participating in the conference of International Council of Women, as well as setting the adopted resolutions into action - "promoting the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women" and "Against trafficking in women and children of cross-district." Taking parts in writing an alternative report on CEDAW convened by the Garden of Hope Foundation, we are able to send reports to the international community about the situation of CEDAW in Taiwan. Our report on the promotion of CEDAW in Taiwan was specially published in an A4 page on the newsletter February, ICW 2009.

With the hope to reduce gap between urban and rural areas, we continued last year's project, sponsoring young women trained by the Taipei YWCA, to conduct distance English learning class for Chulai Elementary School students at Taitung. Furthermore, this year, we sponsor "young women service program of Taipei YWCA - international perspective cultivating camp of teenagers from remote areas.

Over the years we have enthusiastically participated in activities held by Foundation for Women's Rights Promotion and Development, thus to interact with other women groups. Due to our continuous efforts, we are highly respected by the government; I was invited to be the member of Commission on Women's Right by Prime Minister Liu, as well as members to Ministry of Economic Affairs and the gender equality committee at National Palace Museum. With a great honor and the load of responsibility, I will dedicate myself to strive for the rights of women.

Due to the fear of spread of new strain of influenza H1N1 and the visitor arrivals are subjected to quarantine control, Honorary Chairman Cecilia Y. Koo decides to postpone the 19th Federation of Asia-Pacific Women's Association Bi-Annual Meeting scheduled early December to September 23 ~ 27th 2010. The preparation crew remains. More information will be announced when further progress is been made. Wish you all give full support in this grand event next year.