By Master Arkoneil Ghosh and Professor Nibedita Ray-Bennett
The ADN Taiwan Chapter was launched on 12 and 13 March, led by Professor Jie-Ru Chen and Dr. Yi-Tzu Lin at National Chi Nan University in Puli, Nantou County, Taiwan. The launch event formed part of ADN’s global public engagement campaign, the International Awareness Day for Avoidable Deaths (IAD4AD). Nine speakers contributed to the event, including ADN Presidents Professor Nibedita Ray-Bennett and Dr. Hideyuki Shiroshita, as well as Regional Coordinator and Founding Editor of the Junior Champion Magazine, Master Arkoneil Ghosh.
Dr. Lin and Professor Chen discussed disaster management approaches in Puli. At the same time, additional speakers addressed topics such as children’s after-school disaster awareness, school-based disaster education at Shuang-Xi Elementary School, and preparedness among elderly populations.
Around 40 participants attended the launch. Feedback highlighted that even a small gathering of committed individuals, ranging from volunteers and rescuers to international youth contributors, can make a meaningful impact in saving lives. Participants noted that the discussions emphasised disaster prevention as a long-term educational endeavour rather than solely an emergency response. Several attendees also praised the inspiring contributions of the young editors involved in the Junior Champion Magazine.
On 13 March, the delegates visited the Paper Temple (also known as the Paper Dome) – a symbol of recovery and solidarity, donated to Taiwan by Japan following the 1999 “921” earthquake. The visit offered a meaningful reflection on resilience and collective rebuilding. Constructed using paper tubes, the Paper Dome stands as an architectural and symbolic reminder that even fragile materials, when brought together with purpose and collaboration, can create structures of strength and endurance. It represents not only physical reconstruction, but also the rebuilding of community spirit in the aftermath of disaster.
An especially striking cultural element at the site was the presence of frog motifs. In Japanese, the word for frog (kaeru) is a homonym for “to return,” symbolising safe return, recovery, and continuity after adversity. This symbolism, embedded within the space, reinforced the deeper message of the Paper Dome, that recovery is not merely about survival, but about returning, rebuilding, and moving forward with renewed strength.
The visit further highlighted how disaster awareness in Taiwan is closely connected with culture, education, and community engagement. From school-based initiatives to local practices, preparedness is approached as a shared and continuous responsibility. The integration of cultural symbolism, education, and community participation reflects a holistic model of disaster risk reduction that extends beyond immediate response.
The delegates also visited the Wenwu Temple overlooking Sun Moon Lake, one of Taiwan’s most iconic cultural and spiritual landmarks. Dedicated to Confucius (the god of wisdom) and Guan Gong (the god of war and righteousness), the temple stands as a reflection of balance between knowledge, ethics, and strength. Set against the serene backdrop of Sun Moon Lake, the site offered a moment of quiet reflection, highlighting how cultural heritage and philosophical traditions continue to shape collective values and resilience within communities.
The launch of the ADN Taiwan Chapter marks an important step in strengthening regional collaboration and knowledge exchange. It reinforces ADN’s commitment to fostering global partnerships, promoting preventive education, and empowering communities to reduce avoidable deaths through sustained awareness and collective action.
Author’s Short Bios
Professor Nibedita Ray-Bennett is the Founding President & Convenor of the Avoidable Deaths Network and Avoidable Deaths Lab, Associate Director at the Institute for Environmental Futures and Professor of Risk Management at the School of Business, University of Leicester.
Master Arkoneil Ghosh is Junior Champion, Regional Coordinator – India, and Founding Editor of the ADN Junior Champion Magazine (ISSN 2759-0380).