The New School for Democracy Association’s 2026 fundraising tea gathering takes place tomorrow.
For this gathering, we’ve invited nine speakers to give democracy lightning talks — drawing on their different backgrounds and experiences to share diverse and important perspectives spanning the memory of June 4th, human rights in China, the situation in Hong Kong, transnational repression, and the democratic-defense and public challenges Taiwan faces.
Tomorrow’s speakers include:
Wu Renhua, Fu Tang, Zhou Fengsuo,
Akio Yaita, Jaw-Nian Huang, Kang Chun-ming,
Sang Pu, Yu Shyi-kun, Yu Pei-chen, Lee Ming-che
Alongside the lightning talks, the evening will also include a networking reception and a fundraising auction. This isn’t just an event — it’s a gathering that turns concern into support and lets memory and action keep extending forward.
We sincerely invite you to join us in safeguarding freedom, democracy, and public memory together.
New School for Democracy Association 2026 Fundraising Tea Gathering
Time: Friday, May 15, 2026, 18:30–21:30
Venue: Woomanpower
Address: 1F, No. 153-1, Sec. 1, Keelung Rd., Xinyi Dist., Taipei
Registration form:
https://forms.gle/NvmtLmceDX44Gec2A
【The New School for Democracy welcomes donations from all quarters to support its work】
To donate, please email us the last five digits of your remittance account and your name and contact details so we can issue a receipt; please also note this if purchasing a meal ticket.
Email: info@newschool.local
Bank: E.Sun Bank (Bank code 808, Chengdong Branch)
Account: 0048-940-016092
Account name: New School for Democracy Association
(Donations of any amount are welcome)
Donation page: https://nsd2025.oen.tw/
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【Speaker Introduction | Wu Renhua】
This year, we invited Wu Renhua to speak at the New School for Democracy Association’s 2026 fundraising tea gathering.
Wu Renhua has spent decades compiling, researching, and writing historical records related to June 4th, and is one of the important witnesses who have continued to preserve the memory of that day. For many people in Taiwan, June 4th may be no more than a distant date in a history textbook — but for those who still care about human rights in China, the situation in Hong Kong, and today’s transnational repression, June 4th has never been only the past; it is an essential starting point for understanding this era.
At a time when authoritarianism is expanding, memory is being erased, and the truth is being blocked, we need people who keep telling history clearly and keep the record intact all the more. Wu Renhua’s talk is not only a look back at 1989 — it invites us to reconsider how, with authoritarianism still very much alive, those of us in Taiwan should understand freedom, safeguard memory, and respond to the challenges of this era.
We warmly invite everyone to take part — through listening, exchange, and support, let memory stay afloat and action continue.
【Speaker Introduction | Lee Ming-che】
This year, we invited Lee Ming-che to speak at the New School for Democracy Association’s 2026 fundraising tea gathering.
Lee Ming-che has long focused on human rights, democratic development, and civil-society issues in China, and has personally experienced repression and control under an authoritarian system. For Taiwanese society, his experience is not merely a personal ordeal — it also reminds us that when authoritarian influence crosses borders, freedom, human rights, and democracy are never things to be taken for granted, but values that must be continually safeguarded.
Through lightning talks, networking, and a fundraising auction, this gathering will bring together more people who care about democracy, human rights, transnational repression, and public memory. Through Lee Ming-che’s sharing, we also hope to think together with everyone about how Taiwan, given the current situation, understands its own position and responds to the challenges posed by authoritarianism.
We sincerely invite everyone to join us — through exchange, action, and support, let more suppressed stories be heard, and let the strength of democracy keep extending forward.
【Speaker Introduction | Fu Tang】
In an era of expanding authoritarianism and intensifying transnational repression, exile does not mean the repression stops. For many who have left their homeland and continue to speak out, threats, surveillance, harassment, and pressure often extend into their lives abroad in different forms. Fu Tang’s experience reminds us that transnational repression isn’t a distant headline — it’s a reality democratic societies must confront today.
At this gathering, Fu Tang will draw on personal experience and observation to share what exiles face, and how authoritarian power crosses borders to keep affecting personal safety, public participation, and space for free expression. This isn’t only an issue for Hongkongers — it is closely tied to how Taiwan understands democratic defense, the value of freedom, and the regional situation.
We warmly invite everyone to take part — through listening, exchange, and support, let more suppressed experiences be seen, and let our shared concern turn into concrete action.
【Speaker Introduction | Zhou Fengsuo】
When it comes to the memory of June 4th and China’s democracy movement, Zhou Fengsuo is a name that cannot be overlooked. We are honored to have him speak at this year’s New School for Democracy Association fundraising tea gathering.
As one of the key participants in the 1989 Tiananmen democracy movement, Zhou Fengsuo has spent more than three decades speaking out on the memory of June 4th, democratic values, and human rights in China. For Taiwanese society, his presence is not only historical testimony — it also reminds us that the scars left by authoritarianism have never truly faded, and the questioning of freedom has never stopped.
At a time when authoritarian influence keeps expanding and public memory keeps being compressed, Zhou Fengsuo’s talk gives us a chance to reconsider: why must history be remembered? Why must the truth not be forgotten? And how should those of us living in a democratic society respond to the long-term challenge posed by authoritarian systems?
We sincerely invite everyone to take part — through listening, exchange, and support, let memory keep being passed on, and let the strength of democracy keep extending forward.
【Speaker Introduction | Sang Pu】
Sang Pu, who has long followed the situation in Hong Kong, Chinese politics, and Taiwan’s democratic defense, will attend the New School for Democracy Association’s 2026 fundraising tea gathering as a lightning-talk speaker.
As a political commentator, lawyer, and longtime participant in public discourse, Sang Pu has for years continued to speak out on the situation in Hong Kong, China’s authoritarian expansion, and the democratic challenges Taiwan faces. His observations and experience also give this gathering’s discussion of transnational repression, the state of freedom, and public memory a real sense of urgency.
At this gathering, Sang Pu will join in the form of a lightning talk, sharing with everyone his concern for the current state of democracy and human rights in Taiwan and Hong Kong.
We sincerely invite everyone to take part — through listening, exchange, and support, let more real experiences of freedom and repression be seen, and let the conversation about democracy continue.
【Speaker Introduction | Yu Shyi-kun】
Looking at the course of Taiwan’s democratic development, Yu Shyi-kun has always been a key participant and witness. This year, we invited him to speak at the New School for Democracy Association’s fundraising tea gathering.
Over the years, Yu Shyi-kun has continued to take part in Taiwan’s public affairs, and has lived through the important era of Taiwan’s transition from authoritarianism to democracy. His presence lets this gathering’s discussion of democratic development, the value of freedom, and Taiwan’s situation connect more closely with Taiwan’s own historical experience.
At this gathering, Yu Shyi-kun will join in the form of a lightning talk, sharing his concern for the current state of democracy and the public challenges ahead.
We sincerely invite everyone to take part — through listening, exchange, and support, let the experience of democracy keep being passed on, and let the strength of public action keep extending forward.
【Speaker Introduction | Yu Pei-chen】
In recent public discussion of national security, democratic defense, and cross-strait relations in Taiwan, Yu Pei-chen is a familiar voice to many. This year, we invited him to speak at the New School for Democracy Association’s fundraising tea gathering.
Yu Pei-chen has long offered observations and views on national defense and security, Taiwan’s situation, and the challenges facing democratic society. His presence also brings this gathering’s discussion of democratic resilience, public discourse, and authoritarian threats closer to the reality Taiwan faces today.
At this gathering, Yu Pei-chen will join in the form of a lightning talk, sharing with everyone his concern for the shifting situation and how democratic society is responding.
We sincerely invite everyone to take part — through listening, exchange, and support, let more discussion of freedom, democracy, and public responsibility keep extending forward.
【Speaker Introduction | Kang Chun-ming】
When it comes to the connections between the Hong Kong experience, transnational repression, and Taiwan’s democratic situation, Kang Chun-ming has been an important voice in public discussion in recent years. This year, we invited him to speak at the New School for Democracy Association’s fundraising tea gathering.
Kang Chun-ming is a Taiwanese of Hong Kong descent and currently serves as international affairs officer for the Taiwan Statebuilding Party. He has long followed the situation in Hong Kong, China’s authoritarian expansion, and the democratic challenges Taiwan faces. His presence also brings this gathering’s focus on transnational repression, democratic defense, and public memory closer to the current reality.
At this gathering, Kang Chun-ming will join in the form of a lightning talk, sharing with everyone his concern for the current state of democracy and human rights.
We sincerely invite everyone to take part — through listening, exchange, and support, let more real experiences of freedom and repression be seen, and let public discussion keep extending forward.
【Speaker Introduction | Akio Yaita】
In public discussion of Taiwan-Japan relations, regional security, and the situation in China, Akio Yaita is a familiar voice to many. This year, we invited him to speak at the New School for Democracy Association’s fundraising tea gathering.
Akio Yaita formerly served as Taipei bureau chief for Japan’s Sankei Shimbun, and in recent years has continued, as a veteran journalist, to offer observations on the situation across the Taiwan Strait, Taiwan-Japan relations, and China, and has founded the “Indo-Pacific Strategic Think Tank.”
At this gathering, Akio Yaita will join in the form of a lightning talk, sharing with everyone his concern for the current democratic situation and regional challenges.
We sincerely invite everyone to take part — through listening, exchange, and support, let more discussion of freedom, democracy, and the regional situation keep extending forward.
【Speaker Introduction | Jaw-Nian Huang】
When discussing transnational repression, democratic defense, and the impact of the “China factor” on Taiwanese society, we need more than headlines and political point-scoring — we need deeper analysis and understanding. This year, we invited Professor Jaw-Nian Huang to give a lightning talk at the New School for Democracy Association’s fundraising tea gathering.
Professor Huang has long studied the China factor, the spread of authoritarianism, and Taiwan’s democratic situation; his research and public commentary give more people the chance to reconsider, from institutional, structural, and practical angles, the challenges Taiwan faces today.
At this gathering, he will join in the form of a lightning talk, offering different angles for us to consider how, as authoritarian influence keeps seeping in, democratic society should raise its guard, deepen its understanding, and keep safeguarding the space for freedom.
If you too care about Taiwan’s democratic future, please join us — through exchange and support, let more important conversations keep going.
