Protecting the Right to Access Culture in a Multi-ethnic Society

In an effort to promote cultural equity and access, the National Taiwan Museum has launched the New Immigrant Docent Program, providing channels for new immigrants and migrant workers to participate in cultural events. By training and empowering new immigrants who are enthusiastic in public services, the Museum now has a host of docents ready to provide guided tours in their own languages, which also benefits migrant workers at the Museum because they will be able to take guided tours in their native tongue. In response to the government policy of encouraging the children of immigrants to learn their parents’ language, the Museum has held thematic exhibitions and festivals, including the Taste of Hometown: Southeast Asian Flavors exhibition, the Festival Seni Budaya Peringatan Hari Kemerdekaan to mark Indonesia’s Independence Day, the Beauty of Southeast Asian Textiles and Batik exhibition, and the Batik and Tenun Festival. The Museum is making itself a destination where new immigrants can learn and enjoy recreation in a diverse cultural environment.