Taiwanese American Conference/East Coast

The Taiwanese American Conference/East Coast (TAC/EC) was first held in 1970 at Downingtown, Pennsylvania as a summer retreat for area Christian families. Over the years the conference program has expanded to encompass the cultural and socio-economic activities of the Taiwanese American community as well as issues related to human rights, environmental issues and current events in Taiwan. The number of participants has steadily grown, exceeding 2,000 in some years.

TAC/EC draws participants mainly from New England, the Middle Atlantic States, Washington DC and Virginia. Well-known leaders active in religious, cultural and political fields in Taiwan are invited each year to participate as speakers. Since a vast majority of the Taiwanese Americans immigrated to the US as graduate students, the educational achievements of the conference participants are unusually high. Another unique feature of the conference is the wide age range of the participants; from infants to senior citizens. The second-generation Taiwanese Americans are well represented and the youth organize and manage their own programs.

The conference provides an ideal occasion for old friends to meet and new friends to make. It enhances the cultural heritage of the Taiwanese American and also provides a forum for them to express their concerns about current and future development in Taiwan and Taiwanese Americans.