YU students to participate in WFP internship… ‘Fostering international organization experts’
Department of Saemaul and International Development Professor Choi Wae-chul meets with WFP Secretary-General David Beasely for discussions
[November 24, 2017]
<YU decided to work together with the UN WFP to lead the eradication of global poverty and hunger by fostering experts.>
(Department of Saemaul and International Development Professor Choi Wae-chul (right) and WFP Secretary-General David Beasley)
YU agreed to work with the UN WFP (United Nations World Food Programme (hereinafter ‘WFP’) to take the initiative for eradicating global poverty and hunger. By sharing Korea’s development experience and know-how with the WFP and having YU students participate in the WFP internship program, the two institutes agreed to foster international organization experts.
In order to discuss details, YU Department of Saemaul and International Development Professor Choi Wae-chul met with WFP Secretary-General David Beasely at the global hunger-eradication event, ‘Towards Zero Hunger’ hosted by the WFP on November 22.
Mr. Beasely showed interest on the remarkable growth of Korea achieved in a short period of time and asked many questions as soon as he met with Professor Choi. When asked how Korea was able to overcome poverty in such a short period of time, Professor Choi said, “At the time, Korea pursued reforms in thinking, environmental reforms, and plans to increase income simultaneously.” Mr. Choi further explained about the trust between the public and leaders, consensus and participation of the people, consistent policies, sharing success and failure cases, dedication of leaders, and fostering of human resources. Mr. Beasely also asked to introduce the methods that were actually put into place to prevent corruption, which Mr. Choi answered with the method of delivering support materials to community members during the Saemaul Undong, which Mr. Beasely showed great interest in.
Professor Choi also stated, “I am very thankful for the support that the WFP gave for Korea to overcome its state of absolute poverty since 1964. Our university is also making various efforts to repay the help received from the WFP and the international community in the past. I am certain that the Saemaul International Development human resources being fostered by YU will contribute to achieving the ‘zero hunger’ goal set by the international community.” He added, “There are currently YU graduates working at WFP offices in emerging nations. Please allow more YU students to gain practical experience at the WFP through the internship.” Mr. Beasely responded, “I fully agree to the internship proposal” and added, “It is now time for Korea, as an ODA contributor, to provide assertive support for emerging nations facing difficulties to due poverty.”
WFP was founded in 1961 and is a UN institute that is leading the eradication of poverty and hunger in over 80 nations as of current. ‘Zero Hunger’ being pursued by the WFP is part of the efforts to make a world without hunger, which is the second sustainable development goal by 2030 being pursued by the international community. WFP is working with Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and KOICA on the Zero Hunger Community project by adopting the Saemaul Undong model in four nations including Rwanda and Nepal since 2011.
Meanwhile, the WFP funded 104,463,511 USD for the overcoming of poverty in Korea for 20 years from 1964 to 1984. There were 23 projects pursued in Korea including food, flood control and day care centers, and the WFP project pursued in Korea was assessed to be a successful case by the international community. WFP signed an agreement with the Korean government in February 2015 to engage in projects to overcome poverty and improve the quality of life in over 30 nations every year.
