Chairperson Lu of the Asian Federation on Mental Retardation, Interior Minister Lee (Yi-yang), Education Minister Tu (Cheng-sheng), Vice Chairpersons, Directors, Honorable Members, Distinguished guests, scholars and experts, teachers, parents, ladies and gentlemen, (and friends from around the world): welcome to Taiwan!
An old saying of ours goes, "It's always a great joy to welcome friends from afar." We are truly pleased and honored to host the 18th Asian Conference on Mental Retardation in Taiwan. On behalf of the government and the 23 million people of Taiwan, I would like to extend to each of our distinguish guests my most heartfelt welcome to Taiwan. Thank you for joining this grand event and working with us to bring greater dignity, equality and wellbeing to all mankind.
More than 600 distinguished guests from both at home and abroad are participating in today's meeting. Although we may hail from different countries in Asia, each of us shares certain goals and ideals in common. All of us endeavor to spread compassion and take advantage of our professional capabilities to the greatest extent. Together, we can help the mentally disabled reach their maximum potential and pursue the greatest wellbeing for them.
This conference has been given the theme "Universal Design Environment" to emphasize that more diverse and broader perspectives must be adopted. Prior to construction, all facilities should undergo through planning and design so as to meet the needs of physically and mentally challenged persons. By so doing, the facilities can provide each of them with an appropriate environment in which to live and learn.
During the meeting, a variety of topics will be discussed, including legislation and policy, employment and economic security, medical and health care, childhood development and therapy, and advocacy efforts by mentally disabled persons. Conclusions drawn will introduce new concepts to Taiwan. They also will allow both local and foreign personnel who have long cared for mentally challenged persons to formulate lifelong policies for the mentally challenged from the perspectives of family, medical care and education. In the process, the personnel can discuss and map out a direction for the future development of related policies and measures.
Taiwan has reached a considerable level of economic prosperity, democratic development and social progress. As a result, Taiwan now pays greater emphasis on promoting human rights and pursuing the rights and benefits of disadvantaged peoples, such as the mentally and physically challenged. By the same token, Taiwan also seeks to realize social equality and justice.
In fact, as early as 3,000 years ago, our ancestors were already aware that society should take care of everyone, including widows, widowers, orphans, childless people, abandoned children and elderly, and the sick. Despite the differences among human beings, we must depend on one another and seek co-existence and co-prosperity. Only by fully protecting all facets of society, regardless of one's ethnicity, gender, age, health and mental abilities, can society as a whole be protected.
Ten years ago, Taiwan passed legislation to protect the rights and interests of handicapped persons. Over the years, the laws have been amended to compensate for their inadequacies. One of the long-term goals of the government has been to promote a barrier-free environment for the physically and mentally challenged, thereby ensuring their wellbeing and development. However, in order to reach every corner of society, we must strengthen public awareness of such matters, thereby instilling in the people a proper mindset and attitude.
In its efforts to protect the wellbeing of the physically and mentally disabled, Taiwan has achieved much. Yet, room for improvement exists, and plenty can be learned from other countries. The Asian Conference on Mental Retardation serves as a platform for each country to exchange experiences in promoting the wellbeing of people with disabilities and as a channel for the participants to learn from and observe each other. Via such a conference, Taiwan can forge regional cooperation and touch base with international institutions engaged in the education and welfare of the mentally handicapped.
It is my wish and that of the Taiwan government to realize equality and justice in society as well as protect the welfare of the mentally challenged and their opportunities to participate in society. To show its determination to safeguard the wellbeing of the disabled, the ruling party a couple of days ago listed Vice Chairwoman of the Parents' Association for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities, Ms. Chen Chieh-ju, as the top ranking nominee for the legislator-at-large seat. We sincerely hope to work with the experts and parents at the conference to create a brighter future for the mentally challenged.
This conference is rich and diverse in nature. In addition to academic seminars, there are lively cultural exchanges and activities planned. I hope that our friends from afar will have the opportunity to visit some of Taiwan's iconic locations and scenic sites and enjoy the hospitality of the people of Taiwan.
Once again, I would like to express my utmost gratitude to our distinguished guests for coming to Taiwan, and thank all the experts, scholars, teachers and parents for their ardent participation as well as the organizers for their hard work. May this conference be a great success, and may everyone enjoy the best of health! Thank you.