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From October 16-17, the Institute for Global Engagement (IGE), in partnership with the Presbyterian Church of Taiwan (PCT) and ChinaAid, co-convened a two-day international conference in Taipei, Taiwan to explore the critical role of faith communities in national resilience and security. The event brought together government officials, diplomats, civil society representatives, and faith leaders from the Christian, Jewish, and Muslim communities.

Among the case-studies and country perspectives represented at the conference were Taiwan (where faith communities are playing an increasingly prominent role in civil defense and disaster response), Ukraine (where faith networks are critical in maintaining social cohesion amidst Russian military attacks and disinformation operations), Lithuania (drawing lessons from the Catholic Church’s activism under Soviet rule), Singapore (illustrating government efforts at ensuring mutual respect and dignity in a multifaith and multiracial populace), Northeast Syria (highlighting one of the most religiously diverse and free areas in the Middle East), and Israel (drawing lessons from the resilience of the Jewish people throughout history).

“When people of faith are free to serve, gather and contribute, the whole of society becomes more resilient,” said Nadine Maenza, IGE Board Chair. “This conference reaffirmed that freedom of belief is not merely a moral ideal — it is a strategic asset.”

Taiwan’s former Minister of National Defense Michael Tsai shared about the increasing security challenges that Taiwan faced from the People’s Republic of China and called for the establishment of an Asia-Pacific Regional Security Emergency Response Platform between Taiwan, the U.S., Japan, Philippines, and Australia to timely address and respond to Chinese military provocations.

With the region’s evolving security environment marked by heightened Chinese threats and efforts at destabilizing Taiwanese society, IGE senior vice president James Chen emphasized the need to encourage greater collaboration between faith communities and government institutions as active partners in strengthening national and societal resilience.

After the formal presentations, international participants visited Jing-Mei White Terror Memorial Park, a notorious former prison where political dissidents were locked up during Taiwan’s authoritarian era. Participants also visited Chè-lâm Presbyterian Church and heard from Pastor Ng Chhun-seng who shared about the church’s involvement in various civic and human rights issues including supporting Hong Kong democracy activists and partnering with civil defense training organizations.

IGE distinguished senior fellow and former U.S. Ambassador-at-large for International Religious Freedom Rashad Hussain also visited the Taipei Grand Mosque, the largest mosque in Taiwan, and met with board chairman Sheikh Yasser Cheng to learn about the history and current status of Taiwan’s growing Muslim community.

The conference was covered by the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan’s official newspaper. The article (in Chinese) can be viewed here.