Taichung Mayor Lin Chia-lung (second left), LI President Juli Minoves-Triquell (third left), INLW President Margaret de Vos van Steenwijk-Groeneveld (right) and INLW Vice President Yang Maysing are all smiles at the news conference announcing the establishment of the organization’s Asia-Pacific Chapter July 12 in the central Taiwan metropolis. (Courtesy of TCG)

Netherlands-based nongovernmental organization International Network of Liberal Woman will establish its Asia-Pacific Chapter in central Taiwan’s Taichung City, the local government announced July 12.
 
The branch office is set to be located at the International Non-governmental Organization Center, a joint initiative between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and city government aimed at strengthening ties among local and overseas NGOs. According to INLW, an affiliate of London-headquartered Liberal International, the chapter will work with Taiwan counterparts in promoting women’s rights throughout the region and around the world.
 
Mayor Lin Chia-lung said INLW’s decision to launch the chapter in Taichung underscores the city’s potential as a hub for nongovernmental groups. He also announced the appointment of LI President Juli Minoves-Triquell as international adviser to the INGO Center.
 
According to Lin, Minoves-Triquell will share his extensive management expertise with residents as well as offer suggestions on the facility’s operations. Collaboration with LI and INLW will help raise international awareness of the center and provide new opportunities to spotlight Taiwan’s democratic development, he said.
 
Echoing the mayor’s remarks, Minoves-Triquell said a growing number of NGOs are interested in setting up branches in Taichung owing to the city’s rising international profile. INLW is confident that its new chapter in the central Taiwan metropolis will play an important role in advancing liberal values in the Asia-Pacific, he added.
 
INLW President Margaret de Vos van Steenwijk-Groeneveld said that the office will enhance the organization’s effectiveness in strengthening women’s rights as well as bolster the international community’s understanding of gender issues throughout the region.
 
Established in 1947, LI is an association of political parties, individuals, NGOs and think tanks from across the world aimed at fostering the development of free societies based on the principles of personal liberty, personal responsibility and social justice. Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party is a member. INLW was launched at LI’s 1990 congress in Helsinki.
 
The INGO Center is located on the site of a former residential community in Taichung’s Wufeng District consisting of 282 houses. Renovations are underway to turn the homes into offices and co-working spaces, with the project scheduled for completion within four years.
 
According to Taichung City Government, five NGOs have taken up residency at the site to date. These are International Search and Rescue Germany, International NGO Research Center of Taichung-based Asia University, German Search and Rescue Dog Association, Taichung City Search and Rescue Dog, and Taiwan Painting Talk Association. (CPY-E)