Seeking solutions for future issues and creating new global values, led by the young generation

Korean Culture and Information Service (Director PARK Jung-Youl, KOCIS) under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister HWANG Hee, MCST) in cooperation with KDI School of Public Policy and Management (Dean YOU Jong Il, KDIS) will host “Global Forum for Culture and Youth 2021” on Wednesday, December 1, 9:30 a.m. at Grand Walkerhill Seoul. To open up an opportunity for all, the forum will be live-streamed on the website of KOCIS (www.kocis.go.kr).

Marking the 50th anniversary, KOCIS has organized the forum where we can contemplate and share our opinions about major future issues that the world is facing and seek solutions with the young generation, who will lead the future. Young and innovative youth leaders from various areas will be invited to share a new vision under the main theme of “Culture, Creativity, and Innovation.” Furthermore, future strategies for the sustainable development of the community will be discussed.

The forum has three sessions with nine detailed theme, and Gianpaolp Baiocchi, professor at New York University, will deliver the keynote speech on “Democracy for Youth, Inequality, and Politics.” The first session is on the theme of “Social Capital and Youth Culture,” including a presentation by János Bertók, Deputy Director of Public Governance, OECD, on the participation of the young generation in policymaking and the culture of cooperation between the public and private sector for justice among generations from the perspective of an open government. Valentina Muñoz Rabanal, UN Secretary General’s SDG Advocate, will introduce the study on youth’s social capital and trust in government and the study result to enhance socioeconomic resilience amid COVID-19 outbreak.

In the second session under the theme of “Digital Transformation and Cultural and Creative Sectors,” JUNG Ji-Ha, CEO of Tripbtoz, will share cases, such as innovating tourism service in the platform economy by using data and technology and implementing digital cooperation system between the public and private sector centering on youth users. During his presentation, he will also introduce the innovative culture in Finland where the young generation realized a vision of the state using data and collectively achieved regional development of the public and private sectors.

In the last session under the theme of “Culture, Inclusiveness, and Wellbeing,” author BANG Jayoung will talk about community innovation through arts and culture and the meaning of changes in climate action, and Stephen Duncombe, co-director of the Center for Artistic Activism, will talk about art activism for social change and the role of youth.

After all three sessions, there will be a discussion moderated by KIM Sunhyuk, professor at Korea University, with a panel including LEE Taejun, professor at KDIS; Sam Harvey, Director Korea of the British Council; Javier Lopez Casarin, President of Scientific, Technological, and Innovation Commission of the House of Representatives of Mexico.

Director PARK of KOCIS said, “We hope this forum provides an opportunity for the young generation to communicate with the world with an innovative point of view and seek solutions for issues they will face in the future. Furthermore, we are looking forward to creating new global values.”

Along with the forum, KOCIS will carry out various projects celebrating the 50^th anniversary this year, such as publishing “Brand Book” that will be sold at bookstores starting from Dec. 10, opening “KOCIS Center” and hosting a “Ceremony of the 50^th anniversary” on Dec. 15, and holding “K-healing ON Festival 2021” on Dec. 16 via online.