Representatives from student councils in Jeonnam and Gwangju gathered for the first time since the launch of the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City Education Office to promote a school culture free from hate and discrimination.
On September 12, the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City Education Office held the '2026 Jeonnam-Gwangju Student Council Leadership and Officials Exchange' at the Jeonnam government building, providing a platform for student representatives from both regions to discuss common issues.
About 30 student representatives participated, including the leadership and officials of the 8th Jeonnam Student Council and the Gwangju Student Council. This exchange was particularly significant as it marked the first official gathering of student council representatives from Jeonnam and Gwangju since the establishment of the integrated education office. The students shared their legislative activities and thoughts while exploring ways to collaborate on forming a 'Unified Student Council.'
The joint agenda chosen by the students focused on 'reducing hate speech and creating a respectful school culture.'
Students examined issues of hate and discrimination encountered in school life from their perspective and discussed practical measures to mitigate these problems. Prior to the event, they researched examples of hate speech and related issues, aiming to identify actionable solutions that could be implemented in schools.
The discussions culminated in a 'Joint Declaration for a School Culture Free from Hate and Discrimination,' drafted by the students themselves.
The declaration emphasizes critical thinking, considerate language use, proactive responses to hate speech, and the practice of coexistence by acknowledging and respecting differences.
The students recited the joint declaration together, committing to ensure that this initiative does not end as a one-time declaration but continues through activities in their respective schools and student councils. The goal is to foster a culture of respect and coexistence through ongoing exchanges between the Jeonnam and Gwangju student councils.
One participating student council member stated, “It was especially meaningful for student representatives from Jeonnam and Gwangju to come together to discuss hate speech issues and present a joint declaration we created ourselves. I hope we can continue to communicate and build a school culture that respects one another.”
Kim Kwang-sik, Director of the Democratic Life Education Division at the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City Education Office, remarked, “It is significant that student representatives from Jeonnam and Gwangju discussed common issues for the first time since the launch of the integrated education office and led to a joint declaration. We will support ongoing exchanges and communication between student councils.”
He added, “We will actively support students in voicing their opinions and proposing solutions to social issues such as hate and discrimination, helping them grow as democratic citizens.”
Meanwhile, the Jeonnam and Gwangju student councils plan to use this first official exchange as a stepping stone to share experiences in student governance and expand their communication. They aim to establish a participatory foundation that reflects students' opinions in educational policies and school culture, transcending regional and school differences, particularly in relation to future discussions on forming a unified student council.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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