Civil Society's Transitional Justice Convention Focuses on Authoritarian Legacy and Historical Education
The '2026 National Convention for the Promotion of Civic Transitional Justice' was held, emphasizing that historical memory and transitional justice are the foundational engineering of Taiwan's democracy. Organized by Koo Kwang-ming Foundation Chairperson Wang Mei-hsiu, the government plans to link university and school resources to deepen transitional justice education.
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- 📰 Published: May 16, 2026 at 21:03
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(Central News Agency, Taipei, 16th) The '2026 National Convention for the Promotion of Civic Transitional Justice' was held today. Wang Mei-hsiu, chairperson of the Koo Kwang-ming Foundation, stated that historical memory and transitional justice are the most crucial foundational engineering for democracy. If the foundation is not well-laid, Taiwan's democracy will be fragile. Deputy Minister of Education Chu Chun-chang pointed out that the government will connect resources from universities, high schools, and elementary/middle schools to deepen transitional justice education.
The '2026 National Convention for the Promotion of Civic Transitional Justice' convened today, focusing discussions on three major issues: the removal of authoritarian symbols, transitional justice education, and the teaching and learning of transitional justice in practice. Wang Mei-hsiu, Control Yuan member Fan Sun-lu, legislators Chang Ya-lin and Chen Pei-yu, Deputy Minister of Education Chu Chun-chang, Director of the Executive Yuan's Human Rights and Transitional Justice Department Lai Chun-chao, and over a dozen civil society groups participated, attracting more than 200 attendees.
In her speech, Wang Mei-hsiu remarked that Taiwan transitioned from an authoritarian era to a democratic one without undergoing the process of transitional justice seen in countries like Germany, the Czech Republic, Poland, or even South Africa and South Korea. There was no accountability for the past or restoration of historical truth. Consequently, the Kuomintang, the executor of this state violence apparatus, can act as if nothing happened, without any reflection, review, admission of wrongdoing, or apology.
Wang Mei-hsiu said that historical memory is closely related to transitional justice and is the most important foundational engineering of democracy. If this foundation is not solid, Taiwan's democracy will be fragile.
Fan Sun-lu stated that Taiwan's democracy is precarious because a hostile power constantly threatens it from the side, yet Taiwanese society's psychological defenses are becoming increasingly lax. The root cause is an almost complete blank slate regarding the history of democratization. She hopes this national convention will spread the transitional justice movement throughout society.
Deputy Minister of Education Chu Chun-chang noted that this year is the final year of the Executive Yuan's four-year action plan for transitional justice education. A second phase will be planned for next year, to be implemented with greater depth and breadth. Over the past four years, the Ministry of Education has conducted many activities and created numerous teaching plans. In the future, more emphasis will be placed on connection and collaboration.
Chu Chun-chang explained that in the future, a 'big hands holding small hands' approach will be adopted, where well-resourced universities will assist high schools, which will then extend to elementary and middle schools. They will develop local incidents from various counties and cities, turning these local materials and historical archives into a national network map, making it more convenient for students to learn about their local world.
Chen Chun-hung, a professor in the Department of Political Science at Soochow University, said that the world is facing the challenge of authoritarian narratives. If a society has no memory, it has no ability to resist. There is still a significant gap in the Taiwanese public's understanding of their own history. Transitional justice education is not just about teaching history; it is the umbilical cord that connects everyone living together. Only by establishing historical memory can Taiwan become a community of common destiny. (Editor: Lin Ke-lun) 1150516
The '2026 National Convention for the Promotion of Civic Transitional Justice' convened today, focusing discussions on three major issues: the removal of authoritarian symbols, transitional justice education, and the teaching and learning of transitional justice in practice. Wang Mei-hsiu, Control Yuan member Fan Sun-lu, legislators Chang Ya-lin and Chen Pei-yu, Deputy Minister of Education Chu Chun-chang, Director of the Executive Yuan's Human Rights and Transitional Justice Department Lai Chun-chao, and over a dozen civil society groups participated, attracting more than 200 attendees.
In her speech, Wang Mei-hsiu remarked that Taiwan transitioned from an authoritarian era to a democratic one without undergoing the process of transitional justice seen in countries like Germany, the Czech Republic, Poland, or even South Africa and South Korea. There was no accountability for the past or restoration of historical truth. Consequently, the Kuomintang, the executor of this state violence apparatus, can act as if nothing happened, without any reflection, review, admission of wrongdoing, or apology.
Wang Mei-hsiu said that historical memory is closely related to transitional justice and is the most important foundational engineering of democracy. If this foundation is not solid, Taiwan's democracy will be fragile.
Fan Sun-lu stated that Taiwan's democracy is precarious because a hostile power constantly threatens it from the side, yet Taiwanese society's psychological defenses are becoming increasingly lax. The root cause is an almost complete blank slate regarding the history of democratization. She hopes this national convention will spread the transitional justice movement throughout society.
Deputy Minister of Education Chu Chun-chang noted that this year is the final year of the Executive Yuan's four-year action plan for transitional justice education. A second phase will be planned for next year, to be implemented with greater depth and breadth. Over the past four years, the Ministry of Education has conducted many activities and created numerous teaching plans. In the future, more emphasis will be placed on connection and collaboration.
Chu Chun-chang explained that in the future, a 'big hands holding small hands' approach will be adopted, where well-resourced universities will assist high schools, which will then extend to elementary and middle schools. They will develop local incidents from various counties and cities, turning these local materials and historical archives into a national network map, making it more convenient for students to learn about their local world.
Chen Chun-hung, a professor in the Department of Political Science at Soochow University, said that the world is facing the challenge of authoritarian narratives. If a society has no memory, it has no ability to resist. There is still a significant gap in the Taiwanese public's understanding of their own history. Transitional justice education is not just about teaching history; it is the umbilical cord that connects everyone living together. Only by establishing historical memory can Taiwan become a community of common destiny. (Editor: Lin Ke-lun) 1150516