芬芳台灣 繽紛國際女力
PPSEAWA Taiwan’s International Efforts in Empowering Women

第一次世界大戰結束後，女性主義崛起。為了敦促世界平和的進程，傾聽弱勢的聲音，美國社會工作者、社會學家、哲學家和改革家Jane Addams遂在女性主義的精神驅動下，成立了跨國際的婦女團體「PPSEAWA」。她期許藉由結合國際的婦女行動，能為國際貢獻女人柔韌包容、細膩多元的觀點與力量。

Feminism rose after the end of the First World War. In order to promote world peace and listen to the voice of the socially underprivileged, American social worker, sociologist, philosopher, and reformer Jane Addams, driven by the spirit of feminism, founded the trans-international women’s organization: “Pan-Pacific and Southeast Women’s Association (PPSEAWA)”. It is her utmost hope that by combining international women’s efforts and activities, PPSEAWA can make a great contribution to the world with women’s magnificent and assorted characters and strengths.

總會在聯合國經濟社會理事會擁有第二類諮詢地位，也對聯合國亞洲及泛太平洋經濟社會委員會、教科文組織、婦女權益等提供諮詢意見，以供聯合國相關決議案之參考。PPSEAWA每三年舉辦一次國際年會，針對不同的性平主題，提供自身的經驗交流與合作改善的方向，共同為國際間的和平發展而努力。

Members of PPSEAWA often participate in important conferences hosted by international agencies including UNESCO, UN Women, UNICEF, etc., providing intellectual and assorted recommendations for relevant UN resolutions. Triennially, PPSEAWA holds an International Conference for the exchange and cooperation on gender equality issues, working together for international peace and development.

我自2013年7月接任PPSEAWA中華民國分會理事長一職以來，便希望能夠盡全力為台灣婦女透過這個國際平台把對婦權的看法在聯合國呈現，表達台灣婦女的觀點與心聲，同時也藉此跟其他國家產生良性的互動，與國際婦女締結深厚且良好的關係，讓台灣得以與國際一同分享知識，進行觀念的交流，以完善我心中｢以國際交流促進國民外交｣的願望與理念。 　

In spite of the fact that Taiwan is one of the founding members of PPSEAWA, it has never had the opportunity to host a Triennial International Conference. This has become PPSEAWA Taiwan’s biggest regret. Therefore, ever since taking over the post as President of the PPSEAWA Taiwan ROC in July 2013, I have done my best to present Taiwan’s views on women’s rights and empowerments to the international community. It is my hope that through constructive interaction with other countries, we in Taiwan can build a deeper and more consolidated relation with women around the world. Let Taiwan share all information and exchange points of view with the international community. To promote people to people diplomacy through the international exchange has always been my goal and vision. 　　

要做到這點，首當其衝需解決的便是與國內關注婦女政策議題的眾多民間社團做出「在地差異化」，重新調整、定位台灣在PPSEAWA中的定位。當時，我注意到「國際組織所屬分會」這個特殊的角色功能，適足以讓台灣婦女有機會向外發聲，進而被國際注意。為強化與PPSEAWA會員國各方面的交流，我多次選派代表參加聯合國婦女地位委員會相關會議，並籌備針對婦女、兒童的網路犯罪國際論壇，以及協助青年、學生參與國際事務與活動、成立中華民國分會雙語網站等革新活動。與此同時，我也大力推動PPSEAWA台灣的幹部們積極訪問日本、泰國、韓國等會員國，強化交流的效益，以增加台灣婦女在國際間的行動與聲量。期許以企業化經營的方式，佈下「精兵主義」的策略，讓國際看到台灣的婦女團體認真從事相關工作的英姿。 　

However, in order to achieve this, the first thing that needs to be resolved is the emphasis on our special characters and advantages compared to other member nations on promoting women’s issues and policies, and to find our unique position in PPSEAWA International. At that time, I noticed that PPSEAWA Taiwan being an “affiliated NMO (National Member Organization) of an international organization”, has the opportunity to speak out and get international attention on women’s issues. Therefore, I started to select representatives to participate in relevant annual meetings of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). In 2016, PPSEAWA Taiwan for the first time to organize a CSW parallel event on “Cybercrime against Women and Girls on Stalking, Sexual Assault, Intimate Partner Violence and Human Trafficking”, and over 200 CSW delegates attended. At the same time, I organized “Assisting Youth and Students in International Affairs and Activities”. In addition, “Bilingual Websites” was set up.

I have also strongly recommended board members from PPSEAWA Taiwan to visit Japan, Thailand, South Korea, and other NMOs to strengthen the effective exchanges on women issues and let foreign countries know Taiwan’s amazing contributions to empower women and girls through outstanding local organizations including the Taipei Women’s Rescue Foundation, the Garden of Hope Foundation and the Modern Women’s Foundation.

當三年一次的PPSEAWA國際年會第27屆將在2019年舉辦時，我決定試著為台灣勇往直前，奮身叩關！由於舉辦年會能夠提升一個國家在國際中的發言地位，所以競爭主辦權向來成為一場激烈的戰役。我為了能夠替台灣爭取入會以來92年的第一次主辦， 2016年6月間向國際總會理事會表達意願，同年錄製了一支影片，不但親自以英語向PPSEAWA各國婦女問候，更堅定的表示中華民國有辦好年會的能力與決心！ 　

When The 27th PPSEAWA International Conference was scheduled to be held in 2019, I decided to go forward for Taiwan and apply for the host nation of the conference. However, competing for the right to host the conference had always been a fierce battle. In order to fight for this opportunity for Taiwan, I expressed my intention to PPSEAWA International Council through email in June 2016. In August of the same year, although I was unable to travel to Malaysia for the competition, I recorded a video in English, apologizing for my absence and stating firmly that PPSEAWA Taiwan ROC had the ability and determination to host the 2019 conference! 　　

該支影片在吉隆坡的會議現場播放時，感動眾人，加上中華民國分會平時的努力，在會員國心中已歷歷在目，於是榮獲殊榮，替台灣爭取到第一次的年會主辦權！同時，促成PPSEAWA國際總會理事會的三個重要職位：國際副會長、專案計劃發展委員會主席及青年代表。 　

After the meeting, our friends from PPSEAWA International told me that everyone was deeply impressed by the film when it was broadcasted at the conference in Kuala Lumpur. The efforts and dedication of PPSEWA Taiwan won the hearts of sisters from all member states. Thus, Taiwan was awarded the honor to host the 27th International Conference. It was for the first time in the past 92 years that the conference was held in Taiwan! At the same time, PPSEAWA Taiwan ROC, gained three important positions on the board of the PPSEAWA International at the Triennial International Conference in Kuala Lumpur. The positions were the International Vice President, Chairperson of the Project Development Committee and Youth Representative. 　　

在眾多夥伴的陪同、努力下，匆匆走過六年，台灣舉辦的PPSEAWA活動在國際間開始大放異彩，讓身為PPSEAWA中華民國分會理事長的我感到無比欣慰！ 　

With the persistence and efforts from board members and working partners, over the last six years, domestic as well as international events hosted by PPSEAWA Taiwan reached resounding success. I am deeply honored to be the President of PPSEAWA Taiwan! 　　

如今，六年屆滿，我將交棒予下一位優秀的台灣女性接任職位，相信台灣女性力量的美好，仍將持續發光，耀眼國際！ 　

Now, after six years of hard works and fond memories, I have reached the end of my presidency. I am very happy to hand over the position to the new and outstanding President of PPSEAWA Taiwan. It is my firm belief that Taiwan’s prestige of empowering women will continue to shine and to be recognized internationally! Regina Chen, President of PPSEAWA Taiwan ROC, 2013-2019