◆ 影展簡介

　2008是聯合國人權宣言的60週年。這份宣言首度彰顯了全球對基本權利與自由的認同，直至今日仍是一份影響深遠的活躍文件。 它也激勵了許多人權團體的發展，從而創建了人權的國際標準。

　加拿大在人權的保護和民主價值的推展上，一直是強力的擁護者。我們相信所有人都有權接受符合國際人權標準的對待，也在全球各地為達成此目標而持續努力。

　加拿大認同台灣在人權和民主上的巨大進展，尤其是激烈的選舉、新聞自由、司法尊重和廣泛的社會服務等各個領域。這些驚人的進展都是台灣人民、領導者和所有公共團體的共同成就。我們也很榮幸，能和台灣一起舉辦這次活動，來慶祝加拿大和台灣雙方在人權領域的成就。當然，人權的擁護是我們不能懈怠的奮鬥目標，我們必需繼續努力加強人民的權利。

　這次的加台人權影展為大家提供了一個絕佳的機會，讓大家將人權問題放在一個全球的層次來思考，也讓我們發掘還有那些人的基本權利仍未受到重視，從而提供協助。同時，這個活動也讓加台雙邊的影像工作者的佳作能讓更多人欣賞。他們選擇了像人權這種並不平易近人的的主題，加上他們的創作才華，不但兼具娛樂與知性，也拓展我們心靈的深度與廣度。

　我很高興這次的活動能受到台灣夥伴的熱烈支持。這也顯現出台灣的政府和公民社會對人權議題的投入。我非常希望這次影展也能使更多不同社群的台灣觀眾，在台北、新竹和高雄都能欣賞這些佳作，也期盼這樣的主題能激勵並促使人權更真切地成為普世價值。

加拿大駐台北貿易辦事處
孟貫中 代表

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　2008 marks the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Declaration signified the first universal recognition for the fundamental rights and freedoms of all, and it remains a powerful, living document today. It has inspired the development of many human rights instruments, which together have established an international standard of human rights.

　Canada has been a consistently strong voice for the protection of human rights and the advancement of democratic values. We believe that people everywhere have a right to be treated according to the international standards of human rights and we work around the world to promote that goal.

　Canada recognizes the enormous progress that human rights and democracy have made in Taiwan, as symbolized by its vigorously-contested elections, free press, respect for the rule of law and comprehensive provision of social services to its people. This remarkable progress is a credit to the people of Taiwan, its leaders and its institutions and we are proud to be able to jointly hold with Taiwan a festival that celebrates the achievements of human rights in both Canada and Taiwan.  Of course, human rights is a journey not a destination and we must continuously strive to strengthen the rights of all our residents. 

　The Canada-Taiwan Human Rights Film Festival is an excellent opportunity to consider the issue of human rights on a global level and ask ourselves what more we can do to assist those whose basic rights are still not respected. At the same time, it is an excellent opportunity to enjoy the work of some of Canada and Taiwan's finest filmmakers as they seek to take difficult topics like human rights and use their creative genius to produce films that both entertain and inform, that engage our minds and transport us to faraway places.

　I am very pleased at the depth of support we have received from our partners in Taiwan. This is a clear demonstration of the importance that Taiwan's government and civil society attach to human rights. I am very hopeful that our festival will reach a broad cross-section of Taiwanese people in Taipei, Hsinchu and Kaohsiung and that our audience will be enriched and engaged by the themes and will be inspired to push for human rights to become truly universal.

Ron MacIntosh
Executive Director, Canadian Trade Office in Taipei