 Hello friends, I am Audrey Tang, Thomas Digital Minister and a proud signatory of the open ladder, a call to defend democracy. The truth is we live in dangerous times. The pandemic is threatening global health, authoritarianism is threatening global freedom. We cannot stand idly by, in the face of this challenge, to democracy, to human rights and to the rule of law. Collective action is just what the doctor ordered. And this is why I wholeheartedly support International IDEA's initiative to advance democratic political processes while building more resilient societies. Necessity is the model of invention. We took this proverb to heart when creating the Taiwan model. It shows the effectiveness of an all-hands-on-deck approach in combating coronavirus and in defending democracy. Collaboration, friendship, support, transparency and trust, these are our watchwords. They are also the foundation on which all segments of society are pulling together and sacrificing for the greater good. Lives are saved, and opportunities created for dialogue and civic engagement. This strengthens the social sector and puts us in good stead to emerge from the crisis, ship shape and Bristol fashion. I invite those who care, those who wish to make a difference, to sign the letter and join the cause. As International IDEA Secretary General Casa Zamora sushly stated, we must not let democracy become just another casualty of the coronavirus.