The Seongnam Youth Foundation successfully concluded the '5th International Youth Conference in Seongnam' held from July 19 to 22.
According to the foundation on July 29, this year's conference, themed 'Global Zalpha Life,' focused on cultural diversity and international cooperation.
Participants included youth and leaders from seven cities across six countries: Seongnam, South Korea; Wrocław, Poland; Shenyang, China; Hong Kong; Semarang, Indonesia; Osaka, Japan; and Aurora, United States.
Attendees engaged in pre-conference training on cultural diversity, participated in country-specific cultural exchange programs, and held group discussions to understand each other's cultures and share various social and cultural perspectives.
Based on these discussions, they planned and presented nine global cultural fusion content projects reflecting cultural diversity, showcasing their international collaboration and creative problem-solving skills.
During the conference, international participants experienced local culture and interacted with citizens throughout Seongnam, increasing interest in international exchange events.
Local residents responded positively to seeing youth from diverse countries come together to share ideas and collaborate, with comments such as, 'This is a meaningful event that broadens youth's understanding of the world,' and 'The ongoing international youth exchange in Seongnam is a source of pride for the community.'
Notably, the process of planning and presenting joint projects on cultural diversity provided local youth with an opportunity to recognize the importance of international exchange and develop a sense of global citizenship.
Yang Kyung-seok, the foundation's CEO, stated, 'I hope this will be an opportunity for youth to understand different cultures and grow as global citizens,' adding, 'We will continue to expand international exchange programs to provide opportunities for developing global competencies.'
Meanwhile, the foundation plans to leverage the international network established through this conference to continue expanding youth exchanges with overseas cities, aiming to position Seongnam as a hub for global exchange for future generations.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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