2-D-3
原住民族與國家：大洋洲的多元外交

Abstract

Indigenous curatorial practice is a term frequently used in this essay, but to date there is no consensus on how to strictly define the meaning of Indigenous curating in the local cultural production of Taiwan. It conveys a meaning distinct from contemporary curating. That is, Indigenous curatorial practice was developed to advance and frame Indigenous contemporary art and can be described as using a process of consultation, collaborative authorship and mentorship. This essay will exemplify how Indigenous curating can be part of a social change in cultural practice, providing new ways of constructing meaning, which, in turn, can become a cultural/diplomatic tool for creating impact and attention, for instance, in an historic first, the Nordic Pavilion in the 59 th La Biennale di Venezia (Venice Biennale) has transformed into ‘The Sámi Pavilion’. First, it will explore how might collaborative art practices facilitate new relations between trans-Indigenous clans and nations? Secondly, it will examine how can Indigenous curators critically recognise and visualise embodied sovereignty in an international exhibition? Thirdly, it will traverse how would global Indigenous networks connect to a concern with environmental reciprocity within a relational form shaping through trans-Indigenous collaboration? With the above-mentioned questions have guided me as an Indigenous independent curator-as-Sámi artists’ collaborator, this essay will finally propose how Taiwanese Indigenous curating as a mechanism for cultural diplomacy can serve as a participatory call for decolonisation that creates a veritable paradigm for the organisation and the initiation of trans-Indigenous cooperation.

Keywords: Cultural Diplomacy, Indigenous Curating, Indigenous Contemporary Art, Trans-Indigenous Collaboration and The Sámi Pavilion

Abstract

In 2019 President of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Tsai Ing-wen initiated a diplomatic mission under the theme “Ocean of Democracy,” aiming to demonstrate the shared Pacific Ocean, democratic values, and Austronesian identity. Taiwan has increased its outreach capacity in the region since Tsai took office. Yet little is known about how Taiwan and the Pacific Islands countries interact. Most existing scholarship revolves around China-Taiwan diplomatic competition in Oceania, with far less attention to the story of Pacific-Taiwan relations. The research examines Taiwan’s relations with Pacific Islands countries, particularly focusing on Palau from the lens of education.

I first review Taiwan’s diplomatic developments and challenges under the fast-changing regional order. Secondly, I will explore Taiwan’s various educational programs in Palau. Thirdly, I will delve into analyzing the data of completion rate, majors and tracking their employment status. Fourthly, the research discusses the intersection of diplomacy, education and Austronesian diplomacy. I will explore the scholarship recipients and alumni’s lived experience on Austronesian diplomacy. Through a culturally appropriate approach, the research will initiate storytelling sessions with Palauan and Pacific islanders. I argue that it is important to take the Oceania perspective in the dimension of education. I ask how Taiwan can deepen relations through the vision of the Pacific? Why do Palauan study overseas? Why is it important to weave our connection with current students and alumni associations? In addition to the donor-recipient model, Taiwan needs to re-imagine our relations through the shared stories and the existing but not yet weaved alumni networking in Oceania. This research will provide policy implications for Taiwan, Palau and the region.

Keywords: Scholarship Program, Austronesian Diplomacy, Taiwan in Oceania, Palau