AmCham Taiwan and AIT Host 2024 DEIA Celebration Forum,
Driving a Brighter, More Equitable Future

TAIPEI, Taiwan – The American Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan (AmCham Taiwan), in partnership with the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), held the 2024 DEIA Celebration Forum on April 18. This inaugural event marked the commencement of the first AIT-AmCham public-private partnership dedicated to reinforcing workplace Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA).

Around 100 company representatives, along with distinguished central and local government officials including Vice President-elect Bi-Khim Hsiao, and key opinion leaders, gathered at the Regent Taipei to engage in dialogue on fostering a more inclusive, equitable, and accessible environment across industries and governmental bodies. The forum spotlighted the significant strides made by the United States and Taiwan in DEIA, celebrating their collective efforts, and sharing best practices to enhance global workforce competitiveness.

AmCham Taiwan Chairperson Dan Silver provided opening remarks, during which he underscored AmCham’s commitment to DEIA initiatives, noting AmCham’s strong belief that “inclusive economies are engines of growth.” Following Silver, AIT Director Sandra Oudkirk in her remarks highlighted the shared values and cooperative spirit between the United States and Taiwan.

Oudkirk emphasized the importance of modeling DEIA principles to international settings, acknowledging the unique cultural and societal challenges overseas. Expressing a personal desire for the initiative’s continued development, she concluded by urging continued collaboration and collective effort toward a more inclusive and equitable future.

The forum featured a panel discussion moderated by Catherine Lee, area head for Asia, Africa & Middle East at Pfizer Research & Development, who facilitated insightful
conversations among the panelists. These industry leaders, including Debra Bell of Micron Technology, Ravi Bordia of Kenvue, Cathy Su of Gilead Sciences Taiwan, Jerry Liu of Dell Technologies, and Sarah Shabbir of the U.S. Department of State, delved into critical topics such as women in tech, connecting generations, unconscious bias, digital inclusion, and accessibility. The session concluded with a Q&A segment, allowing attendees to further explore the nuanced aspects of DEIA.

Vice President-elect Bi-Khim Hsiao provided the closing remarks, during which she reflected on her educational experience at Oberlin College in Ohio, known for its early adoption of inclusive policies, and how it shaped her views on DEIA. Hsiao further underscored the importance of international collaboration, learning from global best practices, and the role of both public and private sectors in fostering an inclusive society.

“We will continue to take proactive measures to ensure that society and environment is fair to all, and that broader awareness and education initiatives are also supported by the government,” she said. Hsiao’s remarks were followed by a pledge signing ceremony, symbolizing a unified commitment to advancing DEIA principles.

The event continued into the afternoon with the AmCham Taiwan 2024 DEIA Celebration Luncheon, featuring keynote speakers Audrey Tang, Minister of Digital Affairs, and Sarah Shabbir, Special Advisor for DEIA at the U.S. Department of State. The luncheon focused on the theme “Collaborative Diversity,” highlighting the imperative of embracing diversity in the age of AI and enhancing inclusiveness and accessibility in the global workforce.

AmCham Taiwan expresses its gratitude to all participants, speakers, and organizers for their enthusiastic contributions to the success of the 2024 DEIA Celebration Forum. This landmark event not only showcases the mutual dedication of the U.S. and Taiwan to DEIA but also sets a precedent for future collaborations, driving forward a globally competitive, inclusive, and equitable business landscape.

For more information, please contact:
Celine Fahn
Director of Government and Public Affairs
02-27188226 ext.627
[email protected]

Fernando Chen
Senior Manager of Government and Public Affairs
02-27188226 ext.213
[email protected]