Life

MOC forum addresses Taiwan’s pressing issues

• Publication Date：08/17/2012
• Source： Taiwan Today
• By  June Tsai

Taiwan’s rapidly aging society, R&D opportunities and environmental change were some of the hot topics addressed at an ROC Ministry of Culture-organized forum Aug. 16 in Taipei City.

Attended by senior officials from various central government ministries and agencies, the event provided fresh perspective on short- and mid-term policymaking directions.

Culture Minister Lung Ying-tai, who opened the forum, said an immediate challenge facing her ministry is how best to distribute cultural resources in the face of shifting demographics.

Taiwan must make use of the experience and expertise of its seniors, ensuring these are utilized by cultural and creative industries, Lung said. This will help cultivate appreciation for the arts among citizens and boost the cultural sector, she added.

National Science Council Minister Cyrus C.Y. Chu believes R&D is the key to upgrading the island’s industries, producing value-added services that suit a society with a shrinking workforce.

Citing digital solutions as an example, Chu said they can create support services for the elderly that have lucrative market applications in other Chinese societies.

“As Taiwan is about 10 years ahead of mainland China in terms of ‘graying,’ such efforts can turn a population crisis into business opportunity.”

Yiin Chii-ming, minister of the Council for Economic Planning and Development, views an industrywide injection of cultural creativity as one way of assisting Taiwan’s original equipment manufacturers to embrace design and innovation.

“Reform of relevant regulations and sensible policy implementation are equally important components in this process, as well as in cultivating motivated talent.”

Echoing Yiin’s remarks, Interior Minister Lee Hong-yuan said legislation and institutional factors will be critical in determining whether Taiwan faces up to living with climate change and an under-threat environment.

“By 2030, half of Taiwan’s dams will be choked with silt, there will be a shortage of natural resources and land subsidence and salinization of water tables in the island’s southwest will become serious enough to affect agricultural production.”

Lee said MOI land planning efforts are being frustrated by bureaucracy, a lack of coordination between ministries and vested interests. If Taiwan society is to overcome these hurdles, then an overhaul of core values must be undertaken, he added. (JSM)