Taiwan Democracy Train - the Pre-Forum Briefing Tour
Ahead of the Global Forum on Modern Direct Democracy, we are organising an optional pre-forum briefing tour for interested participants. This briefing tour program features a train between Taipei and Kaohsiung reserved for our participants. The train will make several stops along the Taiwanese West coast in places key to democracy: Wanhua, Jongli, Hsinchu, Taichung, Chiayi and Tainan.
The Taiwan Democracy Train is an optional briefing tour ahead of the Global Forum on Modern Direct Democracy. Participation is free of charge, but it is necessary to register for the Taiwan Democracy Train separately, even if you have already registered for the Global Forum. Seating is limited and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. You can find a detailed programme for the Taiwan Democracy Train briefing tour here.
When? 8h00, 30 September - 15h00, 2 October 2019
Where? Departure at Taipei Main Station, afterwards participants will be brought to Taichung every evening.
Registration via email to info@2019globalforum.com
The Global Forum on Modern Direct Democracy
As democracy stagnates in many countries, and direct democracy suffers from lack of support, Taiwan has taken historic steps to move forward. The island nation in East Asia’s new Referendum law, less than two years old, is considered a global model for initiative and referendum. But how is it working in practice? What are the lessons of the first years of modern direct democracy in the new powerhouse of citizens participation? What is happening across East and South Asia and the West Pacific?
At the Global Forum we will treat the following topics in a diverse line-up of panels, sessions and workshops:
- How to move from people power movements to direct democracy institutions
- Lessons learned regarding Taiwan's renewed referendum experience
- Best practices in direct democracy and citizen participation
When? 17h30, 2 October - 10h30, 5 October 2019
Where? Taichung, Taiwan
Info and registration on 2019globalforum.com.
The Taipei Democracy Summit
We are happy to announce that directly following the Global Forum main conference, we will celebrate the official founding ceremony of the International League of Democracy Cities. The festive event will take place in the afternoon of October 5, back at the City Hall of Taipei, the Taiwanese capital. The ”Taipei Democracy Summit” is a direct follow-up to the work initiated at the 2018 Forum in Rome last year and will see an updated version of the ”Magna Charta” followed by a reception.
Bus transfer from Taichung to Taipei will be provided for participants.
When? 15h00 - 19h30, 5 October 2019
Where? Regent Hotel, Taipei, Taiwan
No registration needed - More info and Hotel suggestions for Taipei can be found here.
Travel arrangements
Before booking your free train ticket and registering for the Global Forum, you will have to make your travel arrangements to and from Taiwan. If you want to join us on the pre-forum briefing "Taiwan Democracy Train", please do not arrive later than Sunday, 29 September. The train will be leaving from Taipei. We are also very excited to announce that the 2019 Global Forum on Modern Direct Democracy will end with the official founding of the "International League of Democracy Cities" on Saturday 5 October, also in Taipei. We would therefore advise to book return flights to Taipei, and not Taichung, where the main programme will take place.
For Accommodation
The Global Forum des not provide or arrange accommodation, participants should make arrangements themselves. We have listed several hotel suggestions on the Global Forum website. If you want to take part in the pre-forum briefing tour and the Global Forum on Modern Direct Democracy, you will need to book according to the schedule below.
- in Taipei, until Monday 30 September
- in Taichung, from Monday 30 September until Saturday 5 October
- in Taipei, from Saturday 5 October onward
Transportation
Transportation between Taipei and Taichung will be provided for registered participants on Monday 30 September and on Saturday 5 October. We will also provide bus transfers to and from the area of the Hotel National to the National Chung Hsing University in Taichung on the main Forum days.
All aboard!
If you want to be part of this unique experience, it is time to make your plans and register for the briefing tour and the Global Forum as soon as possible. For any inquiry, please visit our website or contact the International Secretariat at Democracy International.
