我在民進黨黨中央做義工的日子
Peggy Wu (吳佩瑾)

After the defeat of Frank Hsieh in this year's Taiwan presidential elections, I was browsing the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) website when I noticed a mailbox for foreign correspondence. In a moment of spontaneity, I decided to send my resume and cover letter asking the Department of Foreign Affairs if they needed an unpaid intern for the summer. I figured that after its defeat in the elections in both the presidency and Legislative Yuan, they would need more help than before.

I spent two months in Taiwan this summer, and most of those two months I interned everyday for five hours a day in the Department of Foreign Affairs under the guidance of Director Lin Chen-wei. My daily tasks mainly consisted of translation work. The DPP has many departments, some of which hold almost daily press releases, such as the Department of Culture and Information, headed by Director Cheng Wen-tsang. I translated many of these releases from Chinese to English so that they could be posted on the website. Other tasks included corresponding with foreign journalists in Taiwan, translating for the DPP when guests of foreign countries visit the headquarters, and writing articles for the monthly newsletter of the Department of Foreign Affairs. Translation, I discovered, was not an easy task. Gradually, however, things got easier and I became good friends with my co-workers in the department, as well as other fellow interns.

During my stay there, I watched the news everyday and read Taipei Times on daily basis, and became more familiar with the political culture of Taiwan, as well as the public's opinion of President Ma Ying-jeou and his weak stance when dealing with China. The DPP released statements concerning many various affairs, including: the Diaoyutai Incident, the use of Chinese-Taipei, Chinese tourism in Taiwan, and the SEF-ARATS negotiations. The message of all of these statements was clear: sovereignty of Taiwan is not to be undermined and development of closer ties with China should be carried out under strict scrutiny. Newly elected Chairwoman Ing-wen Tsai has also pledged to strengthen the DPP as a formidable opposition party to monitor the ruling KMT. This pledge, however, to strengthen and rebuild the DPP, is not an easy task. With the KMT controlling more than two-thirds of the Legislative Yuan, the presidency, and a wealth of party assets, the DPP has been fighting an uphill battle since the beginning of the year. Chairwoman Tsai inherited the party at its lowest point, just when President Ma was inaugurated as the nation's leader with high expectations. However, things quickly began to change as President Ma started to perform, as expected, poorly during his first months of presidency. Stock prices continued to drop, gas and commodity prices continued to increase, and the situation was not improving as Ma had promised in his campaign speeches. Ma's approval rating started to drop precipitously until it reached an all-time low in July. His cabinet then started to acknowledge that perhaps the Taiwanese economy was indeed at the mercy of elements that cannot be all be controlled by the government. The campaign crafted by the KMT blamed the DPP for "ruining" the economy put high expectations on the KMT for restoring the economy. Ironically, it became apparent that Ma and the KMT cannot deliver results expected of them and they soon started to make excuses for their failures.

Meanwhile, Chairwoman Tsai has continued her focus on rebuilding the DPP, starting with reconnecting with its grassroots supporters and the younger generation of Taiwan. She has collaborated with the Youth Department of the DPP to hold forums and events with youth in Taiwan to discuss its political future and the direction she wants to take the DPP now that she is the party's leader. Since money is also an important issue for the DPP, Chairwoman Tsai has also personally embarked on a campaign to seek small monetary donations from the public to continue to support the work that DPP does. Unlike the KMT, with its vast amount of party assets, the DPP can only look to the people for aid. I believe her strong leadership will lead the DPP into a brighter and better future as Taiwan continues its struggle in the international arena in search of an identity and recognition.

My internship experience, although short, was one of the most memorable and worthwhile experiences I have had thus far. Having worked long term in a non-profit agency, I know how difficult it is to carry out work efficiently when you do not have the funds. It can have a deep and profound on the organization's overall morale and this is the case at the DPP now. With consolidation and lay-offs taking place, the DPP is going through an especially difficult time and needs the support of anyone and everyone who believes in its mission and platform, even those living overseas. Taiwan needs a strong opposition party to stand up to the KMT and DPP serves to maintain a system of checks and balances within the government to prevent it from sliding backwards into the days of White Terror, martial law, and one-party domination by the KMT. I encourage everyone to seek an internship opportunity at the DPP if you ever have a chance to stay in Taiwan for more than two months. It is an extraordinary experience that can connect you to a network of peers who care deeply for Taiwan. If you cannot stay in Taiwan for such long periods of time, it is also worth your time to get involved with FAPA-YPG, a grassroots organization based in Washington, D.C. made up of young, vibrant second-generation Taiwanese-Americans who are passionate about recognition and sovereignty for Taiwan apart from China.

Please visit the following websites for more information and resources:
www.dpp.org.tw
http://ypg.fapa.org

If interested in an internship opportunity with the DPP, please email your CV to dppforeign@gmail.com