Formosan Association for Public Affairs

Advocacy group for Taiwan independence

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Formosan Association for Public Affairs
Official logo of FAPA
Formation	February 14, 1982; 42 years ago (1982-02-14) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Headquarters	Washington, D.C., U.S.
President	Su-Mei Kao
Website	fapa.org

Traditional Chinese

臺灣人公共事務會

Simplified Chinese

台湾人公共事务会

Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyin	Táiwānrén Gōng'gòng Shìwùhùi
Southern Min
Hokkien POJ	Tâi-oân-lâng Kong-kiōng Sū-bū-hōe

The Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA) is a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization that seeks to build worldwide support for Taiwan independence. Its name "Formosan" refers to Taiwan's historical name of "Formosa", and its 44 chapters seek to advance the interests of Taiwanese people and communities around the world.

History

Established in 1982 in Los Angeles, California, FAPA subsequently moved its headquarters to Washington, D.C. The organization provides U.S. policymakers, the media, scholars and the general public with information on issues related to Taiwan.

Goals

Promote international support for the right of the people of Taiwan to establish an independent and democratic sovereign state, and to join the international community.
Advance the rights and interests of Taiwanese communities throughout the world.
Promote peace and security for Taiwan.
To promote relations and cooperation between Taiwan and the United States.
To protect the right of self-determination for the people of Taiwan.^[1]

FAPA Young Professional Group

FAPA Young Professional Group is an affiliate organization primarily targeted at second-generation Taiwanese-Americans who are generally in their 20s and 30s. Their goals, which parallel those of FAPA, are:

To promote international recognition for the right of the people of Taiwan to establish an independent and democratic country and to join the international community.
To advance the rights and interests of Taiwanese communities throughout the world.
To promote peace and security for Taiwan.
To provide young proponents of Taiwan with the knowledge and skills necessary for grassroots advocacy on Taiwan's behalf.^[2]

YPG hosts an annual national conference in DC, during which participants visit their Congressional representatives to voice concerns about the US-Taiwan relationship, as well as regional events throughout the year.

International branches

Canada

The Formosan Association for Public Affairs Canada (FAPA Canada) is a non-profit organization based in Toronto. FAPA Canada aims to promote the sovereignty of Taiwan in Canada and across the world. The current^[when?] president of FAPA Canada is Dr. Harry Chen.

FAPA Canada was established originally as a chapter of the United States Formosan Association for Public Affairs in 1984, but was transformed into an independent organization in 1993. FAPA Canada takes an active role in cultivating a good relationship with the Parliament of Canada; encouraging Canada-Taiwan political, economical, and cultural exchanges; and informing politicians and policy makers about the aspirations of the Taiwanese people.

Recent^[when?] activities of FAPA Canada include letter writing campaigns to Canadian Members of Parliament and press releases supporting Taiwan's sovereignty in the international arena. It has also succeeded in publishing letters to the editor in several Canadian newspapers.^{[citation needed]}

Europe

The Formosan Association for Public Affairs Europe (FAPA Europe) is a non-profit organization based in Freiburg, Mainz, and Athens. FAPA Europe aims to promote the sovereignty of Taiwan in Europe and across the world. It was established in 2007, and was inspired by FAPA USA. The current^[when?] chairperson of FAPA Europe is Jenny Hsieh.

FAPA Europe operates in three languages: English, French, and German.

The organization has had several letters to the editor published in various European newspapers. It also distributes the occasional press release, and has posted a number of online articles.