For this semester’s master lecture, the Department of Social Work invited Control Yuan Member Professor Chung-Cheng Pu (indigenous name, Pasuya Poiconu) to give a lecture on “Being Indigenous in the 21st Century: International Human Rights and Transformational Justice”. The in-depth talk, which took place on November 4 (2024), was attended by NPUST’s president Dr. Chin-Lung Chang along with faculty and students of the Department of Social Work. As a pioneer among Taiwanese indigenous scholars, Professor Pu was the first indigenous Taiwanese to earn a doctorate degree in indigenous studies. His research covers Taiwan aboriginal culture, literature, and mythology and he holds an honorary post at Taiwan National Dong Hwa University.
NPUST President Chin-Lung Chang said: “Professor Pu has long been committed to the study of Taiwan’s indigenous culture, literature, and mythology, and he has made outstanding achievements in both academia and public policy. Today’s lecture will help us re-examine multiculturalism in Taiwanese society and offer everyone profound inspiration and a better understanding of and respect for the rights and interests of indigenous peoples.”
Professor Pu pointed out that “the survival of the indigenous people is not only about the continuation of a culture, but is also the basis for diverse coexistence in Taiwanese society.” He called on all sectors to support the historical justice of the indigenous people and to move forward together with an attitude of tolerance and mutual assistance so that this land can enjoy cultural harmony and co-prosperity.
In his lecture, Professor Pu focused on the diverse identity issues of indigenous peoples around the world in the 21st century, emphasizing the importance of cultural identity and rights protection under globalization. The audience was impressed by Professor Pu’s academic insights and his insistence on upholding the rights of Taiwan’s indigenous peoples. They also expressed a deep appreciation for the efforts Pu is making to promote cultural preservation and ethnic dignity.
