Yuan Ze University Collaborates with the Down Syndrome Foundation to Create the "Gifts Discovered" Exhibition

The 2025 World Down Syndrome Day was grandly held at Taipei Main Station from March 15 to 23, organized by the Down Syndrome Foundation. In collaboration with Yuan Ze University and Cooseii Impact Platform, the "Gifts Discovered" exhibition was jointly planned.Yuan Ze University students and children with Down syndrome worked together to create design pieces that serve as a public advocacy for social inclusion.

In response to the global theme of "Enhancing Support Systems for Children with Down Syndrome," Yuan Ze University offered a co-creation course that attracted over 100 students. Drawing inspiration from the sketches of children with Down syndrome, students tapped into their creativity and designed a series of over 100 vibrant works. Renowned designer and Yuan Ze University’s Department of Information and Communication Professor Chen Yen-Chang selected 30 of these works to be exhibited during the World Down Syndrome Day event, showcasing the perfect fusion of design and social concern. The exhibition also featured a digital voting system, allowing the public to select their favorite work. The student with the highest votes would receive a prize of NT$10,000, encouraging young people to engage in social issues through design.

Professor Chen expressed his gratitude to Cooseii for bringing together creative stars and fostering "goodness" through co-creation, allowing everyone’s beauty to be seen. The Down Syndrome Foundation emphasized that this collaboration not only gave students the chance to engage with diverse life experiences but also enabled the creations of children with Down syndrome to be seen by the world, truly embodying the core concept of "Creating Our World."

Students from Yuan Ze University’s Department of Information and Communication —Kong Yu-Ting, Zhang Yu-Yi, and Zhou Shu-Yu—interpreted innocence and diverse perspectives in their works, presenting a deep dialogue between art and inclusivity. Kong Yu-Ting’s work, titled "The Love Zoo Planet", used simple lines combined with the brush strokes of Down syndrome artists, portraying a return to an innocent world. Zhang Yu-Yi utilized Bauhaus geometric color blocks in varying hues to create a friendly monster world, reflecting on how we should not define a person based on appearances.

Zhou Shu-Yu’s piece paid tribute to Magritte’s "The Man in the Bowler Hat". She chose to obscure the figure’s face with a bird drawn by a child with Down syndrome, symbolizing a rethinking of "seeing." Zhou explained that the bird, more real and free than anything, reminds us that seeing a person should not stop at their appearance but should involve understanding their inner world and uniqueness. This artwork not only blends visual elements but also engages in a boundary-crossing dialogue, inviting viewers to reconsider the true meaning of "seeing."

Professor Chen emphasized that Taiwan boasts a strong healthcare and social support system aimed at improving the service quality for individuals with physical and mental disabilities. However, true integration comes not only from a perfected system but from the active participation and deep understanding of the public. Through this collaboration, Yuan Ze University allowed students to directly engage in social issues, effectively combining their design expertise with social concern and fostering a strong sense of social responsibility.T