her view, democracy is not about voting once every four years,” Tang says at Northeastern University. “It is about the daily practice of listening to each other, collaborating with each other, and respecting each other.” Tang believes that technology can be a tool for enhancing democracy rather than undermining it, as long as it is used in a way that empowers people and promotes transparency and accountability. This philosophy has been put into practice in Taiwan, where citizens are able to participate in decision-making processes through online platforms and digital tools.
One of the key initiatives that Tang has been involved in is the creation of the vTaiwan platform, which allows citizens to participate in the policymaking process by providing feedback and suggestions on proposed legislation. This bottom-up approach to governance has helped to build trust between the government and the people, and has led to the successful implementation of several policies, including regulations on ride-sharing services and the legalization of same-sex marriage. Tang’s work has been recognized internationally, with numerous awards and accolades for her innovative approach to digital governance.
Tang’s journey to becoming a minister of digital affairs is unconventional, to say the least. As a teenager, she dropped out of high school to pursue a career in programming and hacking. She quickly gained a reputation as a skilled coder and activist, using her skills to promote social justice causes and advocate for greater transparency in government. In 2014, she was appointed as a consultant to the Taiwanese government on open data and civic technology, and in 2016 she was appointed as the minister of digital affairs, making her the youngest minister in Taiwan’s history.
Despite her young age and non-traditional background, Tang has proven to be a formidable force in Taiwanese politics. Her emphasis on collaboration, transparency, and citizen engagement has helped to transform Taiwan into a model of digital democracy, inspiring other countries to follow suit. As she embarks on her world tour to promote the ideas that have flourished in Taiwan, Tang is determined to show the world that technology and democracy can coexist harmoniously, and that the future of governance lies in empowering people to participate in decision-making processes. Through her work, Tang is proving that age, gender, and background are no barriers to making a positive impact on society, and that anyone can be a source of inspiration and hope.
