At the Cabinet's weekly meeting today, Premier Mao Chi-kuo commended the Hakka Affairs Council (HAC) for its work in promoting Hakka culture, cultivating human resources and passing on the heritage. The council has also done well in raising Hakka visibility by marketing festivals and events, developing cultural and creative industries, promoting cultural tourism, and demonstrating Hakka soft power.
However, the premier pointed out that the performance abilities of Hakka artists are not linked with the market mechanism because performances in the past have relied heavily on government subsidies. Premier Mao suggested creating a talent agency system that will, in a more organized fashion, give strong performers and artists more opportunities to shine. The system can stimulate the performers' market potential, create new revenues, nurture independence, develop talent and promote greater sustainability in art.
Premier Mao also instructed the HAC to combine resources from related agencies and local governments, provide guidance to Hakka industries, promote their linguistic heritage, and support Hakka business operations. These efforts will enrich Taiwan's society with the uniqueness and vitality of Hakka culture and allow more people to experience this culture.
Regarding mother-tongue education, the Ministry of Education has created a flexible mechanism that allows language courses to be taken as an elective and gives local governments and schools greater autonomy in administering the classes. Other mechanisms include summer school, or activities that link language and cultural learning.
Mao directed the HAC and the Council of Indigenous Peoples to make use of these mechanisms to improve mother-tongue education in Taiwan. Additionally, these courses can be expanded to children of new immigrants, not only helping them learn their native languages but also shaping a new generation of multilingual citizens with greater international mobility, he said.
At the meeting, the HAC reported that it was employing a series of strategies to promote Hakka soft power: "Visible Hakka," "Innovative Hakka" and "Sustainable Hakka." These entail marketing Hakka culture, festivals and businesses; recruiting young volunteers; and encouraging young people to enter Hakka-related businesses. Also, a "dandelion project" is using the concept of social enterprises to bring back young people and pass on Hakka heritage.
The HAC has signed memorandums of understanding with three domestic universities to establish a government-university cooperation platform on Hakka policy and lay a foundation for Hakka academics. Hakka cultural parks have also been established in northern and southern Taiwan, featuring fine restaurants and shopping and recreational areas. The parks are promoting Hakka businesses and spurring tourism and economic growth in surrounding areas.