Post-Conference Press Release | International Conference: "Civil Society under Authoritarian Rule: Activism, Dialogues, and Strategies"

The Judicial Reform Foundation (JRF) and Soochow University's Chang Fo-Chuan Center for the Study of Human Rights jointly hosted the international conference "Civil Society under Authoritarian Rule: Activism, Dialogues, and Strategies" on December 11.

The conference marked Human Rights Day 2021 and also extended JRF's summer theater project "Dialogue: When Taiwan Meets Hong Kong." Through artistic expression, the project invited young people from Taiwan and Hong Kong to reflect on how relations between the two societies have changed in recent years, consider how civil society can act and strategize under authoritarian rule, and examine why democracy, the rule of law, and the protection of rights matter in resisting the resurgence of authoritarianism.

The conference theme grew out of two related observations. First, civil society is facing mounting challenges as authoritarianism resurges, particularly in Asia. Second, Communist China's harsh crackdown on Hong Kong's autonomy over the past two years has had far-reaching effects and prompted broader reflection. Against this backdrop, the conference examined the experiences and possible paths forward for civil society under authoritarian rule. Beyond Hong Kong and Taiwan, speakers also considered experiences elsewhere in the region, especially the influence of the "China factor."

The organizers were honored to welcome Stanford University professor Larry Diamond as keynote speaker. In "The Resurgence of Authoritarianism and the Global Threat to Freedom: Countering China's Global Authoritarian Ambitions," Diamond discussed both the challenges confronting democratic systems and China's efforts to shape the international order and penetrate civil society. Taiwanese scholars including Wu Rwei-Ren and Ho Ming-Sho joined as speakers, together with scholars, human rights defenders, and civil-society practitioners from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, and elsewhere in Southeast Asia, participating in person and online. They shared experiences of civil society under authoritarian rule and explored possibilities for future cooperation and cross-border networks. Such exchanges are critical to democratic progress. In her opening remarks, American Institute in Taiwan Director Sandra Oudkirk observed that resilient collective action by civil society is often a society's primary means of defending human rights and the rule of law against authoritarian oppression. Soochow University professor Cho Yi-Chun and JRF Chair Joseph Lin likewise emphasized the importance of exchange, connection, mutual support, and cooperation among civil societies across borders.

The conference was sponsored by the American Institute in Taiwan and held at the International Conference Center on Soochow University's Waishuanghsi Campus. In addition to attendees at the venue, dozens of scholars, legal professionals, and staff from international organizations joined online from around the world.