中文｜EN
Donate Now
International Conference | Civil Society under Authoritarian Rule: Activism, Dialogues, and Strategies

International Conference | Civil Society under Authoritarian Rule: Activism, Dialogues, and Strategies

Last edited: 2026-08-30

Judicial Reform Foundation, Chang Fo-Chuan Center for Human Rights, Master's Program in Human Rights at Soochow University

In the fall of 2021, the Judicial Reform Foundation (JRF) organized "Dialogue: When Taiwan Meets Hong Kong," combining Theatre of Empowerment and Playback Theatre workshops and performances to give young activists and citizens a way to revisit and reflect on recent social movements in Taiwan and Hong Kong through the arts. The project focused not only on how civil society acts and develops strategies under authoritarian pressure, but also on how democracy, the rule of law, and protection of rights can help prevent the rise of authoritarianism.

About the Conference

This international conference extends that project and is jointly organized by the Judicial Reform Foundation, the Chang Fo-Chuan Center for the Study of Human Rights at Soochow University, and Soochow University's Program of Human Rights.

Under the theme "Civil Society under Authoritarian Rule: Activism, Dialogues, and Strategies," the conference examines the experience of civil society, the urgent threat posed by authoritarian rule, and possible paths forward. In addition to recent developments in Hong Kong and Taiwan, it considers other parts of Asia affected by the "China factor."

Building on that theme, the conference brings together researchers of civic action and people directly involved in civic movements from different regions to share their observations and perspectives. We also hope the event will help establish a platform for sustained dialogue and exchange.

Format

The full-day conference consists of three panels of activists and scholars discussing rights and democracy in relation to Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, and other parts of Asia.

Online Registration

Date and Time

December 11, 2021 (Sat.), 08:45-17:30

Venue

B015 International Conference Hall, Waishuanghsi Campus, Soochow University
No. 70, Linhsi Rd., Shilin Dist., Taipei City

Agenda

Time

(UTC/GMT

+08:00)		 Program
08:45-09:30 Registration
09:10-09:30

Welcome Remarks

  • Sandra Oudkirk / Director, American Institute in Taiwan
  • Yi-Chun Chou / Director, Chang Fo-Chuan Center for the Study of Human Rights, Soochow University
  • Lin Yung-Sung / Chairperson, Judicial Reform Foundation
09:30-10:20

Keynote Address The Resurgence of Authoritarian Rule from a Human-Rights Perspective: China and Its Impact on the Surrounding Region

  • Speaker Larry Diamond / Professor by Courtesy of Political Science and Sociology, Stanford University
  • Moderator Mab Huang / Chair Professor of Arts and Sciences, Soochow University
10:20-10:30 Break
10:30-12:00

Panel I Civil Society under Authoritarian Rule: Experiences from Hong Kong and Taiwan

  • Presenters
    Eric Lai / Georgetown Center for Asian Law, Georgetown University
    Rwei-ren Wu / Associate Research Fellow, Institute of Taiwan History, Academia Sinica
  • Discussant Ming-sho Ho / Professor, Department of Sociology, National Taiwan University
  • Moderator Jau-Hwa Chen / Professor, Program of Human Rights, Soochow University
12:00-13:30 Lunch
13:30-15:00

Panel II Civil Society under Authoritarian Rule: Experiences from Thailand, Myanmar, and Vietnam

  • Presenters
    Debbie Stothard / Founder, Alternative ASEAN Network on Burma (ALTSEAN-Burma)
    Kornkanok Khumta / Co-founder, Feminist's Liberation Front Thailand; Member, Backyard Politics
    Trinh Huu Long / Co-founder, Legal Initiatives for Vietnam
  • Discussant E-Ling Chiu / Secretary-General, Amnesty International Taiwan
  • Moderator Pei-Chun Lin / Assistant Professor, Program of Human Rights, Soochow University
15:00-15:20 Break
15:20-17:20

Panel III Civil Society under Authoritarian Rule: Activism, Dialogues, and Strategies

  • Presenters
    Brian Leung / Executive Director, Hong Kong Democracy Council
    Debbie Stothard / Founder, Alternative ASEAN Network on Burma (ALTSEAN-Burma)
    Hung Chung-Yen / Deputy Secretary-General, Taiwan Forever Association
    Kornkanok Khumta / Co-founder, Feminist's Liberation Front Thailand; Member, Backyard Politics
    Trinh Huu Long / Co-founder, Legal Initiatives for Vietnam
  • Moderator Puma Shen / CEO, Doublethink Lab
17:20-17:30 Closing

Organizers

Judicial Reform Foundation
Chang Fo-Chuan Center for the Study of Human Rights, Soochow University
Program of Human Rights, Soochow University

Sponsor

American Institute in Taiwan

This article is an AI-generated translation of the original Chinese text. In the event of any discrepancy, the Chinese version shall prevail.

Back to News