[3122] Forecast: 2012 will be a pivotal year for Taiwan and the PCT

Forecast: 2012 will be a pivotal year for Taiwan and the PCT

Reported by Sam Lee

Written by Lydia Ma

PCT marked the end of 2011 and the dawn of 2012 ahead of time at a “Prayer for Taiwan” rally scheduled on December 9, 2011. At that rally, youths and children expressed their hope that 2012 would usher in a “new and independent Taiwan” and a country where justice and peace reign.

Many changes are already expected for 2012, whether within the PCT or in Taiwan, and many challenges carried over from 2011 still need to be addressed, including the high unemployment rate, the increasing gap in wealth between urban and rural areas, low birth rates, increasing cases of corporate takeover, etc. Regardless of who takes office come May 20, 2012, issues such as Land Expropriation Act, compulsory no-pay leave, inflation, and aging demographics still need to be addressed.

Though the presidential and legislative election is scheduled for January 14, 2012, major changes will take place in Taiwan before that time. As of January 1, 2012, organizational reforms in the Executive Yuan will begin to be in effect, including the reorganization of 37 divisions into 29 divisions, the incorporation of the Government Information Office into the National Communications Commission, and more.

Taiwan Labor Front described the current time we live in as an era on the verge of a massive collapse. In light of problems such as power imbalance between labor force and corporations, steady outward flow of capital, freezing of salaries, massive unemployment and over-exertion, will 2012 bring respite from these problems and stave off a massive collapse?

Taiwan Labor Front is convinced that Taiwanese must stop focusing merely on GDP growth, stop politicians from hijacking national policies, strive to close the economic gap between the rich and the poor, and strive to strengthen social programs with innovative enterprises and create a progressive welfare state.

For the PCT, 2012 is also an election year and a new General Secretary will be elected during the 57th General Assembly Annual Convention, scheduled for April 10-13, 2012. The new General Secretary will take office in 2013 and will determine the future course of all PCT ministries.

For the years 2012-2013, PCT’s theme will be “Cherishing our country – Taiwan; proclaiming the gospel – Jesus Christ.” This theme is meant to highlight the 6 dimensions of PCT’s ongoing evangelistic ministries, which include proclaiming the gospel, training God’s children, serving in love, changing Taiwanese society, taking care of God’s creation, and influencing the culture through the gospel message.