ABSTRACT
This chapter analyzes the role of Taiwanese civil society organizations (TCSOs) in cross-strait relations, whose activities include culture and culture exchange, social welfare, development aid and assistance to those in need and environmental protection. The Good Shepherd Social Welfare Service (GSSWS) is a Taiwanese branch of the French Sisters of the Good Shepherd. The GSSWS, together with organizations such as the Tzu-Chi Foundation, Eden Social Welfare Foundation and Caritas Taiwan have played significant roles during the development process of the Taiwanese social welfare services. The Chinese Association for Relief and Ensuing Service (CARES) gets strong financial support from Taiwanese state bodies, especially from the ministry of interior and Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), to assist immigrants from Mainland China. The two most notable cultural CSOs in Taiwan that have cross-strait contacts are the Cardinal Tien Cultural Foundation and the Sheen Chuen-Chi Cultural and Educational Foundation.
