Semiconductors? Night markets? LGBTQ+ rights?

We are the Young Taiwan Initiative (JTI) of the German-Taiwanese Society and aim to bring Taiwan, its culture, and its stories closer to young people in Germany. At the same time, we engage with current political, social, and economic developments related to Taiwan.

Join our Open Door Day 2026 and learn more about:

1. The Young Taiwan Initiative and our work
2. Our different working groups
3. Highlights and projects from the year 2025
4. Opportunities to get involved yourself
5. An open Q&A session

The Open Door Day offers the opportunity to get to know our initiative, talk with members, and learn more about possible ways to get involved.

June 21, 2026, 11:00 – 12:00 (Online)

Register now and join us online. We look forward to meeting you.

Registration: https://www.eventbrite.de/e/jti-online-open-door-2026-tickets-1991671383723?

The post JTI Open Door Event appeared first on Junge Taiwan Initiative.

Long before skyscrapers and night markets, Taiwan was home to vibrant Indigenous tribes — the Austronesian peoples, whose culture connects the island to the vast Pacific. From the music of the Amis to the weaving of the Atayal, each tribe holds a story of resilience and identity.

Join us as we explore their origins, traditions, and the challenges they face today in preserving their languages and culture. It’s time the world heard the voices of Taiwan’s first peoples.

Event Details

Date: Thursday, March 26, 2026
Time: 6:30–8:00 PM
Location: Mibap, Torstraße 22, 10119 Berlin

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/taiwan-talks-taiwans-indigenous-roots-tickets-1985131455622?

The post Taiwan Talks: “Taiwan’s Indigenous Roots appeared first on Junge Taiwan Initiative.

The 228 Incident, also called the 228 Massacre, refers to the violent suppression of nationwide protests in Taiwan by the Kuomintang, unfolding from February 28, 1947. Thousands of civilians were arrested, abducted, or killed, marking the beginning of decades of White Terror.

In our discussion, we focused particularly on Chiang Kai-shek’s controversial role in Taiwanese history and the ongoing challenges of coming to terms with the 228 Incident. We also reflected on how confronting a dictatorial past is often fraught with difficulties and societal tensions.

We concluded that an open and consistent reckoning with authoritarian history is a fundamental prerequisite for a stable democracy and a shared future. This highlighted the importance of a culture of remembrance and transparency for the societal healing process. Only through dialogue and the acceptance of responsibility can trust within society be strengthened in the long term.

Thanks to everyone who joined as last Friday and thanks to MIBAB Berlin for hosting us!

The post Memory, Responsibility, and Democracy: Taiwan Talks on the 228 Incident appeared first on Junge Taiwan Initiative.

The 228 Incident, also called the 228 Massacre refers to the violent suppression of nationwide protests in Taiwan by the Kuomintang, unfolding from February 28, 1947. Thousands of civilians were arrested, abducted, or killed, marking the beginning of decades of White Terror. Public reckoning with this event only began in the wake of Taiwan’s democratization in the late 1980s.

Join us and learn more about an important and difficult chapter in Taiwanese history. We will investigate the reasons and conditions that led to the massacre, the impact of the crackdown on society in the following decades, and the processes and challenges that have arisen in the current process of coming to terms with it.

Questions

What long-term consequences might there be if the reckoning with the 228 Massacre is delayed or in-complete, particularly for public trust, collective memory, and cohesion in Taiwan?
How should a society deal with historical figures like Chiang Kai-shek, who are associated with both state violence and the subsequent development of the nation?

To what extent can efforts to come to terms with the past, including the 228 massacre and the role of Chiang Kai-shek, contribute to societal division, and where is the line between necessary reckoning and political polarization?

Event details

Date: Friday, 13 February 2026
Time: 6:30–8:00 pm
Location: Mibap, Torstraße 22, 10119 Berlin

https://www.eventbrite.de/e/taiwan-talks-228-tickets-1982009318225?

The post Taiwan Talks: “288 Incident” appeared first on Junge Taiwan Initiative.

Taiwanese (Tâi-gí) is still very much part of everyday life, even though people often assume it’s old-fashioned or limited. In fact, the language has been making a noticeable comeback in recent years. In this Taiwan Talks session, we’ll look at how Tâi-gí shows up in daily conversations and why it’s linked to older generations, politics and christian liturgy. We will also look at its growing presence in literature, music and film. With these examples, plus a simple language lesson, the session highlights how Tâi-gí offers a unique and distinctive way to understand Taiwan.

Event details

Date: Friday, 16 January 2026
Time: 6:30–8:00 pm
Location: Mibap, Torstraße 22, 10119 Berlin

Register via:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/taiwan-talks-understanding-taiwan-through-tai-gi-tickets-1979989853953?

The post Taiwan Talks: “Understanding Taiwan Through Tâi-gí” appeared first on Junge Taiwan Initiative.

Taiwan’s resilient democracy and civil society are under threat in light of the increasing aggressions of the People’s Republic of China. An escalation in the Taiwan Strait would not only have enormous consequences for Taiwan, but also for us here in Europe. Against this backdrop, the youth think tank Polis180 hosted a workshop on the topic in October as part of its Fall Academy series, which we were able to support as co-organizers. As the youth organization of the German–Taiwanese Society and thus advocates of a contemporary Taiwan policy, we provided insights into Taiwan’s geopolitical situation, culture, and society.

Fall Academy 2025

Between October 10 and 12, around 30 young people engaged with cross-strait relations and their global political, social, and economic implications. Our members not only supported the event by leading various workshop groups, but also introduced participants to Taiwanese tea culture through a tea tasting.

Polis Paper

The working groups identified a broad range of implications of the situation in the Taiwan Strait for Europe that have not yet found resonance in EU policy. The results, summarized in a policy paperr, are intended to serve as a starting point for political decision-makers and other relevant stakeholders to develop a European strategy for conflict prevention that simultaneously safeguards Europe’s security and economic stability. You can find more information below via the link!

Download the Polis Paper

More information about Polis180

• Polis Paper No. 26 – War and Peace Across the Taiwan Strait. European Perspectives on Possible Geopolitical Escalation in the Indo-Pacific. – Polis180
• Polis180 – Grassroots think tank for foreign and European policy

The post JTI & Polis180: “War and Peace across the Taiwan Strait“ appeared first on Junge Taiwan Initiative.

China is once again attempting to use military pressure as a political instrument to intimidate a democratic society and unilaterally alter the status quo. Such actions violate international law and undermine the rules-based international order.

The international community must remain vigilant, demonstrate solidarity with Taiwan, and work together to promote peace, stability, and respect for democratic self-determination in the Indo-Pacific.

Once again, it is clear that the international community must be prepared for further escalations. It must be capable of responding in a coordinated and credible manner — with measured but clear political, diplomatic, and, if necessary, economic countermeasures should the situation continue to deteriorate.

The post DTG Statement on the Chinese military exercises around Taiwan appeared first on Junge Taiwan Initiative.

At the Taiwanese Night Market in Markthalle Neun, stalls run by Berlin’s Taiwanese community bring the streets of Taipei directly to the capital. At various booths from the Berlin Taiwanese scene, typical treats and modern creations await – there’s something for everyone!

But it’s not just about food: brief insights into Taiwanese dining and everyday culture, along with live music, create an authentic night market atmosphere and invite conversation.

The evening is part of the Berlin Freedom Week and is organized in collaboration between the Axel Springer Freedom Foundation, the Taipei Representative Office in Germany, Markthalle Neun, and the European Academy Berlin (EAB). The goal is to make culture tangible, open spaces for dialogue, and showcase the diversity of a vibrant democracy – accessible, enjoyable, and open to all.

Join Us!

We at the Young Taiwan Initiative certainly won’t miss this – we’ll be meeting there at 6:30 PM. Anyone who’s interested is welcome to join us and enjoy the evening together!

Event Details

Date: Thursday, 13.11.2025 Location: Markthalle Neun, Eisenbahnstraße 42/43, 10997 Berlin

More Information

The post Taiwanese Night Market in Berlin! appeared first on Junge Taiwan Initiative.

We will screen the first episode of the new Taiwanese TV series Zero Day Attack, which premiered in August 2025.

The series explores a scenario of global relevance: a sudden invasion of Taiwan by China. Across ten episodes, Zero Day Attack examines not only the geopolitical dimensions of such an attack but also its impact on society, civilians, and individual destinies.

Supported by Taiwan’s Ministry of Culture and the armed forces, the series offers a powerful cinematic reflection on freedom, democracy, and security in East Asia.

After the screening of Episode 1, we invite you to a panel discussion in which experts will shed light on the background, political implications, and relevance for Europe. With this event, DTG aims to raise awareness of the importance of a vibrant democracy and to foster dialogue between Germany and Taiwan.

Event Location:
Location: Zeiss-Großplanetarium
Address: Prenzlauer Allee 80, 10405 Berlin

Date and Time:
Date: November 12, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

Special Notes:
Indoor, accessible, wheelchair access available, subtitles are in english

Register now!

The post “Zero Day Attack” – Public Screening und Podiumsdiskussion appeared first on Junge Taiwan Initiative.

While the wars in Gaza and Ukraine dominate youth political discussions, one major conflict remains largely absent: Taiwan.

How does Germany’s youth engage with the Taiwan conflict? What trends are emerging, and what might the future hold?

This presentation explores how social media platforms like TikTok shape political awareness, how German youth perceive Taiwan compared to other global issues, and how their voting behavior reflects—or ignores—these global tensions.

Sign up now and join our debate on Friday:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/taiwan-talks-germanys-youth-perspective-on-taiwan-tickets-1838388913729?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Date: Friday, 24 October 2025
Time: From 18:30
Location: MIBAP, Torstraße 22, 10119 Berlin

The post Taiwan Talks: „Germany’s Youth Perspective on Taiwan” appeared first on Junge Taiwan Initiative.