This pre-forum briefing tour program features a train between Taipei and Kaohsiung especially arranged 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. Departure will be on Monday morning and participants will be brought back to Taichung every evening, making it possible to stay in the same hotel as during the Conference. Participants who want to take part in the briefing tour are advised to book accommodation in Taichung for five nights: from Monday 30 September until Saturday 5 October.

The Taiwan Democracy Train will be a special train reserved uniquely for Forum participants and will bring together both Taiwanese democracy supporters and international participants of the Global Forum. Seating on the train is limited, 130 train tickets will be made available to international participants on a first-come, first-served basis. Participation in the pre-forum briefing tour is free of charge and lunch will be provided.

At the various stops, there will be short input statements by international participants, walking tours on local democracy issues and opportunities to meet with local activists and democracy experts. The pre-forum briefing tour will take place from Monday 30 September until Wednesday 2 October. You can download the programme in PDF format here.

Preliminary schedule of the Taiwan Democracy Train

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30

• 7.00 - 08.00 Taipei Main Station:  Check-In at Main Station in the Entrance Hall. Your get your free ticket and info package and you can leave your luggage for direct transportation to Taichung.
• 8.00 - 08.45 Taipei Main Station: Opening Ceremony hosted by the President of Taiwan, Tsai Ing-Wen and the Minister for Transportation and Communications Lin Chia-Lung. Statement by Bruno Kaufmann. With a story by Anne Hardt.
• 09.35 - 09.40 Taipei Main Station: Departure of the Taiwan Democracy Train. Short ride to first stop.
• 09.40 - 11.30 Wanhua Railway Station: Local meetings and a story from Mehdi Ben Mimoun.
• 11.30 - 11.58 Wanhua Railway Station: Departure. Briefing and debates on the Taiwan Democracy Train.
• 11.58 - 13.55 Jongli Railway Station (Taouyan City): Local meetings and a story from Myiae Kamioka.
• 13.55 - 14.35 Jongli Railway Station (Taouyan City): Departure. Lunchtime, Briefings and debates on the Taiwan Democracy Train.
• 14.35 - 16.37 Hsinchu Railway Station: Local meetings and a story from David Altman.
• 16.37 - 17.48 Hsinchu Railway Station: Departure. Briefings and debates on the Taiwan Democracy Train.
• 17.48 Taichung Railway Station: Transfer to hotels and check-in. Free evening in Taichung.
• SPECIAL EVENT: An evening with Swissinfo in Taichung. 7 pm – 8.30 pm. Café Matcha. (Confirmation of attendance necessary)

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1

• 07.30 Bus Transfer from National Hotel
• 8.00 Taichung Railway Station: Gathering for second day on the “Taiwan Democracy Train”
• 8.18 - 09.45 Taichung Railway Station: Departure. Briefings and debates on the Taiwan Democracy Train. With a story from Evgeny Barkov.
• 09.45 - 12.00 Chiayi Railway Station: Local meetings and a story from Andrea Adamopoulos.
• 12.00 - 12.45 Chiayi Railway Station: Departure. Lunchtime, briefing and debates on the Taiwan Democracy Train.
• 12.45 - 16.00 Tainan Railway Station: Local meetings and a story from Vanessa Diaz.
• 16.00 - 16.43 Tainan Railway Station: Departure. Briefings and debates on the Taiwan Democracy Train.
• 16.43 - 18.00 Kaohsiung Railway Station: Local meetings and a story from Paul Jacob.
• 18.00 - 21.05 Kaohsiung Railway Station: Departure. Dinnertime, and the final hours on the Taiwan Democracy Train.
• 21.05 - Taichung Railway Station: Arrival.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2

• 8.30 Bus Transfer from National Hotel
• 09.00 - 11.10 Briefing tour Lin Family Mansion, Taichung
• 11.10 - 11.40 Bus to 27 Brigade
• 11.40 - 12.20 Briefing tour 27 Brigade, Taichung
• 12.20 - 12.35 Bus to Taichung Train Station, snacks on the bus
• 12.35 - 12.50 City Walk
• 12.50 - 13.15 Remarks by Transport Minister Lin Chia-Lung
• 13.15 - 13.30 City Walk
• 13.30 Conclusion of pre-tour and transfer to National Hotel

Followed by the official opening event and main programme for the Global Forum on Modern Direct Democracy.