SEOUL, February 20 (AJP) - The HUSS Global Symbiosis Project Group at Kookmin University successfully conducted the KMU x UNU Sustainable Global Leader Training Camp in Tokyo from January 26 to February 1, the prominent university located in Seoul said on Thursday.
The program was developed in collaboration with the United Nations University (UNU) to provide a field-based educational model focused on international organizations. It featured the UNU Future Leaders Bootcamp, expert lectures, a mock UN Security Council negotiation simulation, a visit to Tokyo City University, and various social contribution activities based on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles.
The initiative was designed to move beyond theoretical classroom learning by immersing students in the operational environments of global institutions. By partnering with UNU, the university aimed to provide undergraduate students with direct exposure to international diplomacy and sustainable development strategies.
During the Future Leaders Bootcamp held at UNU, participants studied the structure of the United Nations system and the implementation strategies for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A central component of the camp was a simulation of a UN Security Council session held at Elizabeth Rose Hall. Students engaged in a mock negotiation regarding the crisis in Venezuela, practicing country-specific strategy formulation, informal consultations, and the voting process for resolutions.
The curriculum also included a lecture by Professor Lim Hwa-jin of Tokyo City University on urban planning and smart city cases in Japan. This was followed by a field trip to the Shinjuku district, where Kookmin University students worked alongside local Japanese students to observe urban infrastructure and public space design.
Participants engaged in practical ESG activities, including a project to improve language accessibility for Korean history exhibits at the Koryo Museum of Art in Tokyo. They also conducted benchmarking studies of the Japanese environmental non-profit organization Greenbird and took part in the Green Store Observer Program.
Following the completion of the field activities, the university held a contest for posters and short-form videos to allow students to document and share their findings. According to internal university data, all 30 participants reported a maximum satisfaction score of five out of five, stating they would recommend the program to others.
Professor Lim Young-bin of the Department of Public Administration, who led the program, stated that the university has established an integrated global education model where students learn at international organizations, verify concepts in urban settings, and practice social responsibility. He noted that the university plans to further develop this into a flagship global exchange program.
The HUSS Global Symbiosis Consortium is a three-year initiative supported by 9 billion won in funding from the Ministry of Education and the National Research Foundation of Korea. Since 2024, Kookmin University has collaborated with Kwangwoon University, Sun Moon University, Yeungnam University, and Honam University under this consortium. The group aims to train 2,500 experts capable of addressing global resource challenges, industrial sustainability, and international social inclusion.
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