YU holds 'Saemaul Undong' training to next-generation leaders from eight countries in Asia and Africa
"Want to integrate the Saemaul Undong for our national development... Want more Saemaul training opportunities"
[August 28, 2017]
<YU held Saemaul Undong training to 20 international students from Asia and Africa>
Learning about the Saemaul Undong has become a new trend for international students from emerging countries studying in Korea.
YU (President Sur Gil-soo) held Saemaul Undong training for international students enrolled at YU from August 21 to 25. This program, which was carried out with the support of the Saemaul Globalization Foundation' was organized to spread the meaning of the Saemaul globalization movement and the value of economic development to next-generation leaders of emerging countries, and to discover local experts for the successful operation of the Saemaul globalization project in the future.
Unlike the past where Saemaul Undong training was offered as invitational training such as public employees and experts by the government, local autonomous groups, public institutes and corporation, this training was made up of the voluntary participation by 20 international students from the three African nations of Ethiopia, Tanzania and Ghana, and the five Asian countries of Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Nepal, China and Mongolia. This means that the global demand for the Saemaul Undong is not just for the older generation, but is spreading quickly to younger generations as well.
The international students who participated in this training learned about the Saemaul Undong and Korea's economic development such as the principles and strategies of Saemaul Undong, characteristics of Korea's economic development, Saemaul Undong and rural development, forest greenification and erosion control and Saemaul Undong, and theories and practicality of leadership, etc. for five days. In addition, they had the opportunity to experience theoretical knowledge through visits to the Pohang Sabang Memorial Park, POSCO, and the Cheongdo Saemaul Undong Memorial Hall. Based on the knowledge and experience they acquired through this training, the students established action plans that could be integrated into the development of their nations and shared their opinions in order to improve their understanding on plans to apply the Saemaul Undong.
<International students from Asia and Africa who visited the Cheongdo Saemaul Undong Memorial Hall>
Chau Thi Thu Thuy (30, YU Graduate School of Korean Language and Literature PhD) from Vietnam who led the team said at the completion ceremony on the 25th, "I was able to see and experience a lot about the Saemaul Undong and Korea's economic development through this training," and added, "I would like to study hard at YU and go back to my home country to be contribute to the development of our country. I would like more opportunities for students to experience the Saemaul training for not only the older generation such as public officials, but also for students who will lead the future."
YU International Development Center Director Park Seung-woo who oversaw this training said, "The changed perception of the people based on the understanding of the Saemaul spirit and the firm belief and continuous will of leaders played a big role in the success of the Saemaul Undong." He added, "I hope that this training will act as an opportunity for personal development and for continuously sharing the economic development experiences of Korea's Saemaul Undong. We should strive to mutually share the capacities and development experiences of individuals and countries."
The YU International Development Cooperation Center is expected to become the top educational institute for the Saemaul Undong by taking the lead in the globalization of the Saemaul Undong from a mid- to long-term perspective by spreading the Saemaul Undong to students who wish to become next-generation leaders.
