2026-4-1

Taiwan's Down Syndrome Foundation has marked World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) each March since 2021. Events have included exhibitions in various venues that have raised awareness about the disorder, enhanced understanding and acceptance, and promoted genuine inclusion. Last year’s expo won an award for best WDSD activity from the Asia Pacific Down Syndrome Federation. This year, the foundation collaborated with Beigang Chao-Tien Temple to hold a special exhibit at Taipei Main Station from March 21 to 29. The title “We Are Together, Because Of You” represented coexistence and mutual proximity. The exhibition challenged preconceptions and encouraged people to embrace diversity and choose inclusion.

The cross-sectoral partnership between the foundation and the temple stemmed from a common appreciation of cultural assets as part of everyday life. The temple has long been an important center for culture in Taiwan. It has helped countless families through various problems in an inclusive, protective, and caring way. Its approach matched the values promoted by the foundation, which is why the foundation invited the temple to collaborate by arranging for the Beigang Mazu effigy to be brought to Taipei before its annual procession. Displaying the familiar cultural icon in the bustling train station was the most accessible way to introduce the issue of inclusivity to the public. The station is at the heart of the city. It is a meeting place for people from all over Taiwan. Understanding can be a distant concept; but, with the exhibition in the station lobby, it was naturally brought to people passing by or pausing to appreciate the displays. Inclusion is steadily becoming part of everyday life in Taiwan.