Stella Maris – Taiwan

After three years of preparation, the 3-day Taiwan International Conference on Fisher’s Welfare commenced on May 14, 2024 at Evergreen Laurel Hotel, Taichung, Taiwan and was attended by more than 130 participants from all over the globe. In attendance were representatives from countries like the United Kingdom, Ireland, Scotland, USA, Canada, Italy, South Africa, Mauritius, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Philippines, Korea, Japan, and Taiwan.

In his welcoming address, Bishop Martin Su, bishop promoter of Stella Maris-Taiwan and the bishop of Taichung, expressed his gratitude towards Stella Maris, the Scalabrini International Migration Network (SIMN), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Fisheries Agency of Taiwan, the ITF-Seafarers Trust and the ITF Fisheries Section, and other organization and individuals who have been laboring with improving and uplifting the dignity and condition of seafarers and especially the welfare of migrant fishermen.

To formally open the conference where more than 30 speakers representing various sectors and/or parties of the fishing industry, Fr. Joy Tajonera, Director of Stella Maris-Taiwan, emphasized that this event was organized to create an opportunity where those who could make a difference for the welfare of fisher’s in Taiwan, as representatives of the whole workforce across the globe, could listen, share, and to dialogue.

Executive president of Control Yuan, Premier Chen Chien-Jen attended the opening ceremony in which he asserted Taiwan’s unswerving goal to build a nation on human rights. He also acknowledged that foreign seafarers/fishers are partners in the development of the country’s fishing industry. He thanked Stella Maris for organizing the conference and many years of serving and providing assistance to seafarers/fishers around the world.

Cardinal Stephen Brislin on his message, noted that:

“To see workers not as commodities but rather as individual persons made in the image and likeness of God who strive for agency over their own lives, the means to support their families and themselves with dignity…

Eleven Scalabrinian missionaries who are doing missions in Taiwan, Philippines, Italy, and Indonesia attended this 4-day conference. Fr. Rico Talisic, CS did a presentation on the mission of Stella Maris Cape Town and Fr. Hendrikus Arianto Ukat, cs was one of the three reacting panelists and was tasked to react to the presentation of the Ministry of Labor.

This conference concluded with dinner and live music and dance presentations from one of Taiwan’s indigenous tribes.