Somewhat in the spirit of a marathon runner who continues the race until its very end, the Church and Society Committee of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan is sponsoring a group trip to promote Taiwan's admission to the United Nations. The church has funds on hand to provide a limited subsidy to members willing to take a 10 day trip to New York in September. On September 16th they will participate in a rally at UN headquarters.

The church members will join the Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA), a North America based political action group. In addition to the argument made every year at this time: that a nation of 23.5 million people should not be denied a voice and participation in world affairs, the demonstrators will bring up the issue of SARS. Taiwan was among the nations that suffered through the SARS contagion in the Spring and Summer of 2003, but was excluded from clear communication with the World Health Organization as the disease was brought under control.

Before arriving in New York for the demonstration, the group will visit Washington D.C. and Philadelphia where they will visit monuments to democratic governance.