Campaigning for wetlands in Taiwan

In April 2010, Oliver Maurice was invited to support the Taiwan Environmental Information Association (TEIA) in their endeavours to begin the process of founding a truly National Trust for Taiwan; to help with the launch of the Pink Dolphin Trust to save this endangered species from extinction; to advocate the role that environmental and cultural NGOs can play in safeguarding the country’s heritage; and to offer advice and support to various organisations dealing with heritage issues.

One of many interviews with Oliver Maurice in Taiwan

He gave dozens of presentations and interviews, attended the AGM of TEIA, meetings with other ngos and government officials, launched the Pink Dolphin Trust, visited a number of properties and even attended a wedding!

Oliver was tireless in spreading the word about the National Trust movement and INTO, advocating the need for heritage conservation and sustainability rather than short-termism, promoting ideas for fundraising, offering specific advice on heritage matters and helping to build trust in the NGO movement. The visit was meticulously planned and funded by the TEIA and was a model of best practice in itself.

Following Oliver’s visit to Taiwan, INTO wrote a letter to the country’s President on the issue of the Pink Dolphin and we were pleased to hear later in the year that as a result the TEIA had made great progress in their fight to save endangered wetlands and the pink dolphin from the development of a petro-chemical factory with thousands of people supporting their campaign.

Supporting our members’ advocacy efforts and assisting National Trusts with campaigning techniques at national level is an important benefit of INTO membership.  We know our members value being part of an international movement and this lends credibility, support and confidence to smaller bodies.

You can read more in this short case study: Pink Dolphin Campaign.

TEAI’s report on Oliver’s visit can be found here.