Accommodations
DESTINATION:
Headquarters Hotel: The Grand Hotel No.1, Sec.4, Zhongshan N. Rd., Taipei City, Taiwan Tel: +886-2-2886-8888 Fax: +886-2-2886-4974 http://the-grand-hotel-taipei.hotel.com.tw/eng/
A Practical guide to the 2012 JCI World Congress.
Senate Hotel: Regent Taipei No. 3, Ln. 39, Sec. 2 ZhongShan N. Rd., Taipei 104, Taiwan Tel: +886-2-2523-8000 Fax: +886-2-2523-2828 http://www.regenthotels.com/Taipei
TAIPEI
Dear 2012 JCI World Congress Delegates and Honored Guests, Greetings from JCI World Headquarters! This November, the streets of Taipei, Taiwan will echo with the voices of thousands of young individuals spreading the spirit of active citizenship and the commitment to creating positive change. After years of hard work, JCI World Headquarters and the Congress Organizing Committee are proud to offer a program featuring exciting workshops, educational shows, fun events, parties and networking opportunities. During your time in Taipei, I encourage you to open your mind and your schedule and attend as many events as possible. Whether by learning how to create better projects at the JCI Morning Show, developing new skills at the JCI Official Courses or making new friends at Global Village, make every second of your Congress experience count. I promise you will return home inspired to make a powerful impact in your community. Taipei is ready for you, are you ready for the 2012 JCI World Congress? Get ready for JCI’s biggest event of the year with the information in this guide and, as always, feel free to contact the JCI World Headquarters or Congress Organizing Committee with any questions you may have.
Congress Organizing Committee The Congress Organizing Committee can be reached at via the following contact info: Phone: +886-2-25067373 Fax: +886-2-25060941 Email: coc@jciwc2012taipei.org or jciwc2012coc@gmail.com
Emergency In case of an emergency, the general public numbers are: • Medical or Fire: 119 • Police: 110
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Edson A. Kodama JCI Secretary General
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Thank you, and I look forward to seeing you in November!
Travel Visa
Venues The Grand Hotel will host the majority of the daytime activities at the 2012 JCI World Congress. Also serving as the headquarters hotel, delegates will not have to leave the building to catch many of the exciting programs on the Congress schedule. The Opening Ceremony will occur at the Taipei Arena, which is a short 5.6 km taxi ride or is also accessible via the 277 or 266 bus routes. All trainings will be offered at the Chientan Youth Activity Center, which is a short walk from the steps of The Grand Hotel. Learn more at www.jciworldcongress.com.
Registration Delegates are strongly encouraged to register online before arriving in Taipei. Upon arrival, registered delegates should pick up their name badges at The Grand Hotel. The registration desk will be open: • November 18 from 13:00 to 16:00 • November 19-21 from 9:00 to 18:00 • November 22 from 9:00 to 12:00 Only delegates who have registered will be allowed to participate in Congress events. Admission will be restricted to delegates wearing Congress badges and holding event entry tickets, when necessary.
Congress Events Attire National dress, dark business suits or tuxedos, cocktail or evening dresses are appropriate for: • Opening Ceremony • JCI Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World (JCI TOYP) Ceremony • Awards Ceremony • Presidential Gala Business suits or national dress are appropriate for: • General Assemblies • Other business sessions Business casual dress is appropriate for: • JCI Official Courses and seminars Casual dress (unless otherwise indicated) is appropriate for: • National parties • Global Village
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JCI Destination: Taipei
Taiwan requires individuals from some nations to obtain visas before entering the country. Residents of most European nations and many in the Americas, are not required to apply for or receive visas before traveling to Taiwan, and will be granted either a 30 or 90 day Visa-Exempted Entry. Visit taiwan.visahq.com to determine whether or not you need to apply for a visa before departing for Taipei. If a visa is required for your travel, follow the instructions on the visahq.com website and apply at your nearest Taiwan Embassy. Apply early to ensure that your visa request is processed in time for your travel, as this can sometimes take weeks or even months for approval. Visas cannot be obtained upon arrival in Taiwan. Even if a visa is not required for travel, ensure that you bring your passport and that it is valid for at least 90 days following your departure date. Customs officials may also request a hotel reservation, return airfare ticket or proof of financial stability. Make sure your passport has blank Visa pages, as Taiwan will apply a stamp and requires sufficient free space on passport pages. Be sure to request a letter of invitation from the Congress Organizing Committee by selecting “yes” under “Travel Arrangements” on the registration form, and don’t forget to provide your passport information, which is required to complete the letter. Letters of invitation will only be issued after registration payment has been received.
Transportation Air Travel Traveling by air, delegates will arrive at the Taiwan Taoyuan International airport, the world’s 13th busiest airport by passenger volume. Taipei is accessible from Taoyuan Airport by bus or taxi, or delegates can rent a car to use during their stay. Busses are available from Terminal 1 on the south side of the B1 floor and from Terminal 2 on the north side of the first floor. Fares can be paid on board Taoyuan Bus Corporation busses or at the ticket counters located in the arrival passenger reception areas of both terminals for other bus companies. Fares range between NT $110 and NT $140 per adult passenger. A full list of bus transportation companies, their scheduled stops and fares, is available at the following URL: www.taoyuan-airport.com/english/Publish.jsp?cnid=100150 Airport taxis are available at each terminal and serve all of metropolitan Taipei. Fares vary based on destination and will include an additional 15% airport surcharge. Taxis are available 24 hours a day.
Delegates wishing to rent their own transportation can find car rental locations on the north side of the arrival areas at both terminals. The Hotai Leasing Corporation (www.easyrent.com.tw) services Terminal 1, while Terminal 2 is serviced by ChingBing (www.chingbing.com.tw). Ground Travel in Taipei The Taipei Metro, commonly referred to as the Mass Rapid Transit or Metro Rail Transit (MRT) services the majority of Taipei and its surrounding communities. Its five lines operate from 06:00 – 24:00 daily, with extended services during special events and holidays. Trains operate at intervals of 1.5 to 15 minutes, depending on the time of day and line. Fares range from NT $20 to NT $65, based on distance traveled, and a 20% discount is available to riders using an EasyCard. Vending machines for one-way travel tokens are available at each terminal, and EasyCards are available at convenience stores throughout the city. EasyCards are also accepted on the city’s extensive bus system, which covers many of the areas not served by the MRT. Taxis are also widely available, but generally cost more than busses and the MRT, though they will take you anywhere in the city or surrounding areas.
About Taipei, Taiwan The capital city of the nation, business activity in Taipei has helped Taiwan become one of East Asia’s four economic “Tigers.” Exporting goods and services to China, Japan, the United States and many other countries around the world, Taiwan has become an important contributor to the global economy. Taipei has also set an international precedent for sustainability by implementing a garbage recycling program that increased the rates of recycled materials to 32 percent of all waste in 2008. Taipei is also a hub for tourism in East Asia, with countless opportunities for visitors to shop, dine and enjoy a performance after visiting one of the area’s many museums or temples.
Language While Mandarin Chinese is the language in Taipei spoken by most people, Taiwanese, a Chinese dialect from Fujian Province in China is spoken by 70% of people. Also, due to 50 years of Japanese rule, many are still fluent in Japanese. The official language of 2012 JCI World Congress is English. Simultaneous interpretation in the official JCI languages will be offered at certain events.
Internet Access Through the “Taipei Free” program, the city’s government offers free WiFi internet access near government agencies or buildings like MRT stations, libraries, markets and sporting venues. Users can register online by entering their mobile number, receiving a password and entering their email address at the following link: https://www.tpe-free.tw/tpe/tpe_step1_en.aspx Internet services can also be accessed through the iTaiwan system, which provides free WiFi at indoor public areas including post or tax offices. Accounts can be created at the following link: http://itaiwan.gov.tw/en/ The Grand Hotel Taipei offers delegates paid WiFi internet access in three- and 24-hour time blocks. Call the Grand Hotel at +886-2-2886-8888 for more information on fees.
Communications
Health
To call another country from Taipei, begin by dialing the international access code of 00, then the country code to which you are calling, followed by area code and then the phone number. To call Taipei, dial your country’s international access code, then country code 886, Taipei’s area code 2, followed by the local number.
Check with your health care professional about which vaccinations to receive before traveling to Taiwan. Although no special immunizations or medications are necessary to enter Taiwan, the US Centers for Disease Control recommends that all travelers stay up-to-date on all routine vaccinations and receive Hepatitis A and B vaccinations as late as eight weeks prior to travel.
Weather Since Taipei is in a subtropical climate, temperatures are relatively mild and the city does not see the four distinct seasons present in less tropical regions. The average temperature in November is around 68°F (20°C) and since October is the official end of the tropical cyclone season, there are fewer rainy and more sunny days, which will be great for enjoying sights and attractions during the day or night.
Attire in Taipei Style varies on every street across Taiwan. Western styles have dramatically influenced the dress of Taiwan’s upper class, similar to other countries across Asia. Department stores are packed with high-end designers like Marc Jacobs, Gucci, Armani, Dior, Chanel and Louis Vuitton. Suits are the appropriate dress for men and women in the business setting. For less expensive, trendy everyday clothing and accessories, young adults and teens shop in the Taipei night markets.
Electricity Power outlets or sockets in Taiwan have two prong slots with a current of 110 volts and a frequency of 60 Hz. Only Type A plugs will be found in Taiwan, though Type A or Type B plug adapters can be used for foreign appliances. Delegates planning to bring electronic devices should invest in adaptors to ensure compatibility with local power supply. Type A:
Type B:
Tourism Resources With a wide range of activities, entertainment, shopping and historical tours, there is something special for everyone in Taipei. To decide how to schedule your perfect pre or postCongress plans, visit the following sites for more information: • http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/ taiwan.html • http://go2taiwan.net • http://www.lonelyplanet.com/taiwan/taipei • http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g293913-TaipeiVacations.html
Time Zone Chinese Standard Time is GMT (UTC) +8 hours. In 2012, Taipei does not experience any daylight saving time adjustments.
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JCI Destination: Taipei
Gratuity and Value Added Tax In general, tipping is not necessary in Taiwan, though in certain restaurants, a gratuity of 10-15 percent will be added to your bill. Taxi drivers are not usually tipped, but a small gratuity is appreciated, while bellhops expect tips of around NT $30 for each suitcase carried on your behalf. A Value Added Tax (VAT) of 5 percent is applied to all purchases.
Cultural notes Located across the Taiwan Strait from China, Taiwan’s population consists mostly of Han Chinese people who speak three dialects of Chinese; Taiwanese, Hakka or Mandarin. Traditional Confucian values, including respect for elders, piety and worship, and education and hard work, remain strong among the people. The Taiwanese value harmony and believe in working for the collective good, treating others with respect and dignity. Interactions in Taiwan are a formal process and getting it right can significantly help build your “Guanxi” or personal connections. Greetings are formal and the oldest person in the group should always be greeted first. Handshakes are the most common form of greeting with foreigners and some Taiwanese look toward the ground when greeting someone as a sign of respect. When meeting someone for the first time, and until they tell you to do otherwise, address the person by their academic, professional or honorific title followed by their surname. Business cards are also a big part of the Taiwanese culture. The way you handle someone’s business card shows the value you place on the relationship. Business cards are exchanged using both hands and make sure the typeface of your business card is facing the recipient. After receiving a business card, always place it in your shirt or jacket pocket, but never in a pants pocket. Treat this exchange with respect and watch your Guanxi grow during your visit!
Currency Taiwan’s unit of currency is the New Taiwan Dollar (NT$), which has five denominations in paper money (NT $100, 200, 500, 1000 and 2000) and five coins (NT $0.50, 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50). Foreign currencies can be exchanged at governmentdesignated banks and hotels. Receipts are given when currency is exchanged, and must be presented in order to exchange unused NT dollars before departure. Major credit cards such as American Express, Master Card, Visa, and Diners Club are accepted at most restaurants, although cash is still expected at family-owned businesses. Traveler’s checks are not used by the Taiwanese and will not be accepted in most places, but they may be cashed at foreignexchange banks, some tourist-oriented businesses, and (by room guests) most international tourist hotels. Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) are easy to find at most convenience and department stores and almost all ATMs can display information in English as well as Chinese.
Congress Events Sunday, November 18 New Member and First-Time Attendee Orientation Will 2012 mark your first trip to a JCI World Congress? Learn more about how to get the most out of a JCI event experience by attending this interactive workshop. Beginning this year, the First Timers meeting will be the first official event of the entire World Congress, taking place immediately before the Opening Ceremony. Schedule your travel plans so you don’t miss out on your moment on the red carpet! Opening Ceremony To kick off 2012 World Congress, Chief Delegates and JCI National Presidents from more than 100 countries will come together at the Taipei Arena to greet delegates and represent their countries in traditional national attire. Come cheer for your National Organization, enjoy Taiwanese live entertainment and connect with JCI’s vibrant community of young active citizens. Start your World Congress by experiencing this spectacle that unites all JCI delegates from around the world.
Monday, November 19 2013 JCI Vice President Candidates Public Caucus Eager to represent their fellow members at the international level, candidates for 2013 JCI Vice President will discuss their ideas on how to create even greater positive change in every JCI Local and National Organization. Come and learn more about the candidates and what they stand for before finding out who will represent you next year!
Tuesday, November 20
Thursday, November 22
2013 JCI Executive Vice President and President Candidates Public Caucus Watch as the candidates for 2013 JCI Executive Vice President and 2013 JCI President field questions from an expert panel and lay out their strategies for how they will lead JCI in the coming year. Learn about their views on important issues and make plans on how you can align your activities with their plans before finding out who is elected!
JCI Creative Young Entrepreneur Award The JCI Creative Young Entrepreneur Award (JCI CYEA) recognizes young innovators who have used creative problem solving to start a business or improve an existing business while adhering to the ten principles of Corporate Social Responsibility. Visit the event to learn more about their initiatives and find out who will walk away the winner!
JCI Twinning The JCI Twinning Program is an opportunity for JCI organizations to exchange ideas with other members from a different part of the world, and JCI World Congress is often the place where Twinning partnerships begin. After finding an organization that shares your international goals, ask their members to collaborate on expanding your global impact. Don’t miss the Twinning Ceremony to see JCI National and Local Organizations formalize their partnerships. JCI World Public Speaking Championship Winners of the 2012 JCI Area Conference Public Speaking Championships will showcase their skills to determine who goes home with the title of JCI World Public Speaking Champion. Go cheer on your Area’s representative and hear their thoughts on the topic, “Cultural diversity is a strength rather than a weakness.” The JCI Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World (JCI TOYP) Ceremony Whether by helping underprivileged children finish their education or fighting for the rights of those suffering from religious or ethnic persecution, the 2012 JCI TOYP honorees provide countless examples of leadership and sustainable impact. Come to this year’s JCI TOYP ceremony to hear the stories of ten young people under 40 who live the JCI Mission in extraordinary ways.
Wednesday, November 21 JCI World Debating Championship In this contest, teams from all corners of the world will face off for the title of JCI World Debating Champion. The groups will test their teamwork, critical thinking and problem solving skills while discussing topics that are relevant to challenges and issues in communities around the world. The competition is open to all members, so get your group together, check out the rules and register by October 8 at www.jci.cc to compete at this year’s event.
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JCI Destination: Taipei
Spotlight JCI Test your knowledge of JCI and international trivia at Spotlight JCI, World Congress’s exciting game show! With Area Teams of 20 cheering on their two team captains, the competition will get fierce as the questions probe the participants’ knowledge of JCI, its partners and its programs. Come and cheer on your Area Team in this international meeting of the minds. JCI Awards Ceremony With nearly 200,000 JCI members around the world taking action to make sustainable positive change, the dazzling JCI Awards Ceremony showcases some of the best and most impactful JCI projects and members from around the world. Come support your National and Local Organization and witness why JCI is one of the world’s leading networks of young active citizens. Global Village JCI’s international network spans the globe and, at the 2012 Global Village party, we will celebrate our cultural diversity at the biggest JCI party of the year. JCI National Organizations will showcase their colorful traditions at the Taipei Expo Park in a wild night of dancing, exotic food and beverages, all set to global rhythms.
Multi-Day Events General Assembly Each year, the General Assembly at the JCI World Congress meets to determine the course of the organization for the year to come and elects the individuals who will lead us down that path. Come find out how you can align your 2013 activities with the goals of the international organization and find out who will represent you on the international level.
National Nights JCI members work hard all day to improve themselves and the world around them, but there’s no reason we can’t party too. Bring your name badge to get inside each of these rocking events, where you’ll find friends from all over the world enjoying the native food and drink of the host JCI National Organization. Check your schedule for times and venues, or just wait until nightfall and follow the crowds.
JCI Morning Show After enjoying a National Night party, start each day right with the action-packed, energizing JCI Morning Show. The themes of the shows will be Inspire, Involve and Impact!, and will feature a short explanation about how you can expand the change you create by designing your projects using the JCI Active Citizen Framework. You won’t want to miss the lively guest speakers, the preview of the day’s most exciting events, plus daily games and outstanding prizes, so come early for a great seat!
Upcoming JCI Events 2013 JCI Area Conferences JCI Africa and the Middle East Conference Gaborone, Botswana May 8-11, 2013
JCI Asia-Pacific Conference Gwangju, South Korea May 22-25, 2013
JCI Conference of the Americas St. Louis, Missouri, USA May 1-4, 2013
JCI Active Citizen FrameWorkshop Conducting a comprehensive needs analysis is the vital first step to any community project, but where do you begin? This event will occur over three days and focus on the three stages of community development: Health and Wellbeing, Education and Economic Empowerment and Sustainability. Come find out where you can look for issues and how to drill down to the root of problems to ensure a lasting change in these interactive workshops.
JCI Nothing But Nets Countdown to Congress The JCI Nothing But Nets Countdown to Congress is back! Every 60 seconds, a child dies from malaria, but you can help by having each member of your JCI National Organization contribute a simple donation of US $10. The Countdown to Congress will begin on September 18 and conclude on the first day of the JCI World Congress. At the first JCI Morning Show of Congress, JCI President Bertolt Daems will recognize the National Organizations who meet or exceed one net per member for the JCI Nothing But Nets campaign. Send a net to save a life today through your National Organization’s team on Crowdrise at www.crowdrise.com/jcinothingbutnets.
JCI European Conference Monte Carlo, Monaco May 29-June 1, 2013
2013 JCI World Congress JCI World Congress Rio de Janeiro, Brazil November 4-9, 2013
Visit www.jci.cc to learn more about upcoming events.
Explore Taipei Taipei Martyrs’ Shrine Resting on the slopes of the Qing Mountain and looking out over the Keelung River, the Martyrs’ Shrine is located right next to the Grand Hotel and offers a great tourist destination during a free afternoon. Built in 1969, the shrine covers a large area and contains a grand architectural style that symbolizes the martyrs’ brave spirit. The shrine is used to pay respect to the 330,000 men who sacrificed their lives to the revolution before the establishment of the Republic of China and who fell during the Sino-Japanese and the Chinese Civil wars. Tourists gather to see the splendor of the shrine and witness the ceremonial changing of the guards who stand at attention at the main gate.
National Palace Museum Home to the world’s largest collection of priceless Chinese art treasures, the National Palace Museum contains 620,000 pieces of art and represents all of China’s nearly 5,000-year history. Although many pieces came from the Chinese imperial collection, which began over 1,000 years ago in the early Song dynasty, treasures also include ancient Chinese paintings, ceramics, jade sculptures, remains of bronze weapons and many other antiques. Don’t miss “the treasure house of Chinese culture,” which offers professional multilingual guide tours.
Maokong Gondola The Taipei Zoo and Maokong area are connected by the Maokong Gondola, which transports riders 4.3 kilometers over the hills of south Taipei. An open cable car, passengers can take in the Maokong tea plantations as they ride to or from the Taipei Zoo. For a quick and lowpollution way to travel while viewing the stunning natural scenery, few things match the Maokong Gondola.
Taipei Observatory 101 Look out over all of Taipei from the 101st floor of this incredible skyscraper located in the Xinyi District, or visit its high-end shopping mall if you’re afraid of heights. Created as a symbol of the Taipei’s high-tech development, the indoor observation deck on the 101st floor takes just 37 seconds to reach via elevator from the fifth floor. Visitors can also step outside on the 91st and 88th floors and enjoy the Treasure Sky exhibit, which features coral, gold and jade jewelry, in addition to stunning views of the city. Stop by after a day of trainings and workshops to see what you’ve been missing around the city.
Shihlin Night Market
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Featuring Taiwanese treats like kebabs, oyster omelets, grilled sausages, pan-fried dumplings and spring onion pancakes, the Shihlin Night Market has become one of Taipei’s most famous street markets. Merchandise ranging from clothing and accessories to household decorations and electronics can be found throughout the market, which opens in the late afternoon and continues to surge with youthful energy late into the night. A short, 1.5 mile trip from the Grand Hotel, delegates should be sure not to miss this fun attraction for souvenirs and keepsakes after a day at the JCI World Congress.