On April 27, 2025, the Michigan chapter of the Formosa Association of Student Cultural Ambassadors (FASCA) gathered to show support for Taiwan's participation in the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Health Assembly (WHA). From 2017 to 2024, Taiwan was not invited to attend the WHA as an observer, resulting in a potential gap in the global health and epidemic prevention system. The young Taiwanese Americans of FASCA in the Michigan area have actively demonstrated their support for Taiwan joining the WHO for the past four years.
This year, FASCA president Evelyn Chen read a letter addressed to the Director-General of the WHO, Dr. Tedros A. Ghebreyesus, detailing Taiwan's successful efforts against the COVID-19 virus and the value it could bring to the WHO. "After ensuring and securing domestic medical protective equipment and supplies, Taiwan has also been providing them to other nations and actively collaborating with the international community," she said. As the mission of the WHO is to attain the "highest possible level of health for all people," she urged the WHO to safeguard the health rights of the 23.5 million people in Taiwan, as well as their equal right to participate in the global health system.
In addition to the letter, FASCA members divided into four groups, each designing a poster to showcase their support for Taiwan. The posters included imagery representing what Taiwan is known for, such as bubble tea, Formosan black bears, plum blossoms, Taipei 101, and more. Alongside the four posters, the members of Michigan FASCA created a huge sky lantern praying for Taiwan and all signed on it to gather support for Taiwan's inclusion in the WHO.
(Reported by Olivia Liao, FASCA Michigan member)
