A group photo of Everlight Chemical Chairman Chen Chien-Hsin (center), National Tsing Hua University Vice President Hsu Hui-huang (fourth from the left), and scholars at The Economic Ethics Forum. National Tsing Hua University / Provided

Everlight Chemical and Tamkang University held the “Economic Ethics Forum” for the 15th year, focusing on SDG 10: reducing inequality, with scholars presenting key research and solutions.

Tamkang University Vice President Hsu Hui-Huang noted that inequality is complex, rooted in biases such as gender, ethnicity, religion, and socioeconomic status. He recalled U.S. university admission and hiring policies that sought demographic balance during his doctoral studies.

Chairman Chen Chien-Hsin emphasized that reducing inequality requires identifying the true underlying issues, not just treating surface symptoms. He referenced distinctions between natural inequality, man-made inequality, false equality, and true equality—the latter aligning with SDG 10 by providing differentiated support to ensure fair opportunities for all.

Everlight Chemical's Chairman Chen Chien-Hsin (right) listened to Professor Chu Hsiu-yen from National Chengchi University present her research findings on "Income Inequality and Housing Inequality in Taiwan" at the forum and awarded a certificate of appreciation to Professor Chu.

Professor Zhu Xiuyian (National Chengchi University) presented research on income and housing inequality in Taiwan, noting that severe income gaps increase social conflict and financial vulnerability. She argued that income and housing inequality reinforce each other, and that government policies must ensure fair housing access and a healthy rental market.

Assistant Professor Li Wenji (Tamkang University) studied second-generation new immigrants and found that their social class is shaped more by parents’ education than ethnic background, highlighting the need to expand higher-education access.

Chairman Chen concluded by encouraging more academic research in economic ethics to support government policymaking.

Assistant Professor Li Wen-chi of National Tsing Hua University (left) discussed the socioeconomic status of new immigrant children and non-new immigrant children, and was presented with a certificate of appreciation by Chairman Chen Chien-Hsin of Everlight Chemical. National Tsing Hua University / provided