The North American Taiwan Studies Association held its 29th annual international academic conference on June 11-13 at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City. The conference, themed “Advancements and Global Importance of Taiwan Studies,” brought together scholars, researchers, and cultural workers interested in Taiwan from various regions to exchange ideas and insights.
Deputy Director Zhang Lixian and Education Division Director Yang Minling from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York attended the conference’s opening ceremony on June 12. Zhang Lixian praised the North American Taiwan Studies Association (NATSA) for its efforts in promoting Taiwan studies in academic circles in North America. She commended young scholars for delving into various aspects of Taiwan studies, enriching the discourse on Taiwan and wished for the success of the conference.
NATSA organizes annual conferences at different universities in North America to discuss political, cultural, social, and international relations issues related to Taiwan, keeping abreast of global trends. This year marks NATSA’s 30th anniversary and the first time it hosted the annual international academic conference in New York. The Education Division in New York secured sponsorship from the Ministry of Education to support the smooth running of the conference.
The two-and-a-half-day academic conference covered sessions and workshops on humanities, social sciences, law, diplomacy, and other fields. Paper presenters and invited speakers hailed from North America, Taiwan, and other regions. With Taiwan garnering increased global attention, the number of paper submissions this year rose significantly, reflecting heightened interest in Taiwan studies worldwide. The conference included 10 keynote speeches, workshops, a photography exhibition, catering to both academic and general audiences.
Founded in 1994, NATSA emerged as Taiwan underwent rapid changes in politics, economics, society, and culture, drawing significant attention from scholars at home and abroad. It serves as a scholarly platform that integrates diverse research interests and stands as the largest overseas Taiwan studies organization. Comprised of Taiwanese doctoral students studying in North America, NATSA organizes conferences and undertakes ongoing projects such as Podcasts, an online database for Taiwan studies, and a database of Taiwan study outlines.