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Boris Voyer｜Coordinator, IRI-Asia International Steering Committee
Dear Friend,
Over the last few years, we embarked together with a team of remarkable Taiwanese people on a journey of direct democracy, with the goal of emulating our Initiative and Referendum Institute-Europe and US friends (IRI-Europe and IRI-US) and bring their wonderful direct democracy expertise to the people of Taiwan, so that they too be empowered to correct the obvious deficiencies of representative democracy.
We traveled to five countries to see how Europeans practice the initiative and referendum, participated in a pan-European symposium with some of the best experts in the field, attended countless lunch and dinner workshops, and had so many discussions with all sorts of practitioners. Together we really learned a lot on how to proceed with the tools of direct democracy. And then we set up the goal of establishing IRI-Asia as an independent, transparent and non-partisan sister organization of IRI-Europe and US to be based in
Meanwhile, you were at the very heart of the struggle to write a decent referendum law in
As you so vividly exposed during our last
With you, we have planned a book and education toolkits that soon will begin to make a difference as they will make many more people aware of the essence of good initiative and referendum practices and regulations. We have also discussed with you the obstacles to good practices here; so thanks very much to you, we know where we are headed and the problems we will inevitably encounter.
Over these years, you have indeed played a most crucial role in developing IRI-Asia. You are one of the best thinkers of direct democracy that this land has ever produced, just as you were with regards to earlier democracy movements. Not long ago you called me a hero for having put together the international steering committee of IRI-Asia and persevering with the project; but in reality, you, along with Yi-cheng, Jau-yuan and Yung-ming, were the key persons that I could rely upon for advice, encouragement, and ideas when the going was a bit rough. You, in particular, were always listening at the right time and offering crucial counsel. In fact, you also opened many doors for IRI-Europe and US when they set to help with the referendum process here in
But you should also be remembered for the amazing and rare qualities that animate you. In my close to thirty years of NGO and democracy advocacy work abroad in various countries, you stand out as one of the most honest and sincere persons I have ever met. You kept your focus entirely on the people even as you had to work in an environment of politicians and bureaucrats who seldom keep that focus. I can only imagine how much intellectual duress you must have endured as you worked in such an environment. And you always kept your composure, all the while remaining friendly and open during all meetings. Not too many people are capable of these…
My dear Vincent, you are indeed a very fine human being and it has been an honor and privilege to gain your trust, work side by side with you on the almost impossible task of establishing IRI-Asia in a Taiwan that is still not really NGO-friendly, and together with our core group devise means to reach out to people with clear and impartial information about direct democracy. I have had numerous opportunities to learn from you and I very sincerely thank you for this.
You have now embarked on the other journey of life and are already flying very high in the company of the Great Spirit Eagle, who will accompany you to the highest peaks. From these heights, please keep looking down for us from time to time so as to keep guiding our efforts towards the goals we set up together.
I love your spirit.
