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”Peace, Prosperity, and Partnership Beyond Security

Without Human Rights, Development Doesn’t Mean Anything

”Dream Start” is where Yonsei’s Social Engagement Begins

Development is a Constant Struggle to Find a Right Answer

GEEF 2019 Report

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Special Conversation with Dr. Denis Mukwege and MOU Signing Ceremony

Conversation with Ban Ki-moon

Conversation with Helen Clark

Who We Are & What We Do

Our Footsteps: IGEE and its three centers have forged partnerships and carried out numerous projects around the world.
Here is a snapshot of the countries we have covered since 2011.

News

International University Social Responsibility (USR): Priorities for the Next Decade 2021: IGEE's partner, University of Social Responsibility Network (USRN) is opening online registration for International University Social Responsibility (USR): Priorities for the Next Decade For detailed information, Please visit USR Summit 2021 Website. USR Summit Promo Codes for Yonsei University 390695971200 559843946506 Registration Link; Read more

Global Engagement & Empowerment Forum 2021: Global Engagement & Empowerment Forum 2021 will be held online from February 4th to 5th. For further information, please go to the program detail on the website. **GEEF 2021 Website http://geef-sd.org/html/ If you have any questions about the forum, please feel free to contact GEEF-Secretariat through the contact information below. *Tel: 82-2-2123-4424, 4439 * E-mail: igee@yonsei.ac.kr; Read more

[Social Engagement Fund 2018] Research / Activity Report: IGEE has supported 5 teams' research and student activity from September 1, 2018 ~ August 31, 2019 under name of SEF 2018. Total 41,850,000KRW were supported for the 5 teams. SEF 2019 is ongoing through University Innovation Support Project's support (September 1, 2019 ~ August 31, 2020).; Read more

Activities

SDGs based research institutions and publications in Yonsei University

SDGs based research institutions and publications in Yonsei University: Ban Ki-moon Center for Sustainable Development has categorized the research-related information in Yonsei University based on 17 Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs). The categorization is implemented for assembling the baseline data for SDGs Report of Yonsei University. It will be a significant resource for overviewing the trend of SDGs related activities in Yonsei University. < Research Project Proportion (according to SDGs) > * Research projects with 'N/A' is not included into the data. ** List and amount of fund for the Research Projects is classified. *** Categorization is implemented through referencing the information provided by Office of Research Affairs, UN official website. Additional attachment. 1. Research Institutions list (according to SDGs) 2. Publications list (according to SDGs); Read more

“Dream Start” is where Yonsei’s Social Engagement Begins

“Dream Start” is where Yonsei’s Social Engagement Begins: With its Honorary Chairman Ban Ki-moon having called for the need to recognize and mobilize young people as agents of change, IGEE is engaging and empowering the young generation as enablers of sustainable development. IGEE’s flagship mentoring program Dream Start is one way universities and higher education institutions can support the uptake and implementation of the SDGs through their learning and teaching activities. Centered around SDGs Goal number 4, "Ensuring Quality Education for All", Dream Start is composed of learning, personality, and cultural mentoring. Learning mentoring consists of basic curriculum guidance, and helping with school work and academic achievement. Personality mentoring is conducted to help mentees develop mentality of success, career motivation, and life guidance, while adapting to school life and improving competence. Cultural mentoring involves various cultural experiences such as field trips and movies. It also provides an opportunity for mentees to have diverse cultural experience and enhance their sensitivity away from celebrities-oriented cultural activities. The program has provided learning opportunities to youth from low-income households in the Seodaemun District of Seoul where Yonsei University is located. Over 900 teams of mentor mentees have completed the program since 2009. Mentors are selected at a competitive rate of 3:1 each year based on their leadership, multicultural sensitivity, integrity, and spirit of service. Mentees are selected on a voluntary basis and through recommendations by their school principals. In 2019, 60 teams of mentors and mentees were created. Middle and high school student mentees not only learned more efficient studying methods, but also engaged in discussion on how to best cope with stress arising from performance and grades. The program thus not only benefits the mentees but also the Yonsei students that participate in it. "It's been one of the best opportunities I've had in the university," says Jong-min Lee, a senior majoring in economics. “Through Dream Start, I was able to enhance my interpersonal skills through real-life experiences, while applying my knowledge to benefit the community. I am also glad to have contributed to an improvement in the academic performance of my mentees.”; Read more

“Development is a Constant Struggle to Find a Right Answer”

“Development is a Constant Struggle to Find a Right Answer”: Inadequate infrastructure is a constraint on growth and impacts quality of life whereas good infrastructure helps reduce poverty and inequality. Two distinguished IGEE SD professors attempted to shed light on the importance of infrastructure and more broadly to discuss the existing and future potential of Private- Public Partnerships (PPP) in helping achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. World Bank Senior Advisor Jaehyang So explained on November 14 that PPPs are rooted in the same integrated approach as the SDGs in that each component must be pursued as an integral part of the whole. As part of the Understanding Sustainable Development with Ban Ki-moon course, So’s lecture illustrated how developing quality reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure can support economic development and human well-being. So explained that the term PPP mainly refers to infrastructure because of their importance in terms of basic development and growth, and stressed that PPP helps progress in access to quality education, healthcare, water, and sanitation, among other SDG targets and indicators. She iterated that for PPPs to become an instrument for financing key economic infrastructure projects, it is necessary that countries have in place the institutional capacity to create, manage, and evaluate them. In closing, So said that there isn’t a very clear answer as to why one particular country develops and another country doesn’t. “What is the secret of development success? Many people have tried to answer the question but nobody knows. Development is a constant struggle to find a right answer,” she said. Another SD professor and Asian Development Bank Director Um Woochong’s lecture on November 14 illustrated how ADB’s future operations will be designed to help developing member countries meet the SDGs and how its deeper engagement with countries on SDG priorities and opportunities will accelerate progress. Um, who leads ADB-wide knowledge management and innovation in various thematic and sector operation areas, illustrated in particular how transport will remain a major part of ADB’s infrastructure operations, and how ADB is already in transition in terms of its transport investment to assist with the shift to low-carbon sustainable growth across Asia and the Pacific. Um explained that cities in the region are facing increasing demand for financing sustainable growth-inducing infrastructure such as roads, transport, and social infrastructure systems. “Urban infrastructure plays a crucial role in terms of meeting the demands of the poor. Building better, more sustainable infrastructure will provide the basis for achieving the SDGs,” he said. Um stressed that ADB has tracked the links between its projects and the SDGs since 2016 and is improving monitoring how the projects and programs it finances will support SDG targets. For 15 weeks, the Understanding Sustainable Development with Ban Ki-moon course invited more than 10 senior officials and professors to share their knowledge and experience on international development with Yonsei undergraduate students. The topics of the lecture series ranged from peace and security to green urban development and gender equality. “My understanding of SDGs changed in such a way that it has benefitted me to think more in depth and learn about international development in more detail from different perspectives,” says Minji Ko, a graduating senior. “I came to realize that what’s most important is for me to change, for me to change my thoughts, for me to change something to change the society.”; Read more

“Without Human Rights, Development Doesn’t Mean Anything”

“Without Human Rights, Development Doesn’t Mean Anything”: In two special lectures presented to Yonsei undergraduate students, Honorary Chairman of IGEE Ban Ki-moon reflected on his two-term tenure as Secretary-General of the United Nations while also calling for youth participation in the implementation of SDGs. In his first lecture on October 31, Ban gave an overview of the historical development of SDGs and the Paris Climate Agreement. For the 100 students enrolled in the Understanding Sustainable Development with Ban Ki-moon course, his talk provided a rare opportunity to hear a first-person account of how the UN operates and global leadership works. Ban encouraged the students, many of whom plan to work in international development–related jobs, research, or diplomacy, to think of both the planet and humanity beyond national boundaries. “SDGs cover all spectrums of our life and each goal is logically connected. Look outside your immediate surroundings and think of both the planet and humanity beyond national boundaries,” he said. His second lecture on November 21 focused on human rights and peace. Ban explained that human rights has tremendous effect on politics and economy. “It is possible for dictatorial states to achieve peace and economic growth, but without human rights, development doesn’t mean anything,” he said. It was such conviction that led to the creation of the Human Rights up Front (or HRuF) under his leadership. As an internal campaign, HRuF helped position the UN’s work on human rights protection as a priority for all UN entities. Ban acknowledged however that the HRuF, like other initiatives for cooperation among UN entities, has to rely on an institutional commitment based on a limited legal basis for cooperation between specialized agencies. “The challenges we face are simply too numerous to be left in the hands of a few leaders. Think beyond yourself. You hold the keys to unlock a more sustainable, peaceful and prosperous future,” he said. Tae In Park, Research Professor and convener of the course, says the course has garnered strong interest from Yonsei students around the campus and it will repeat next semester. Educating students and increasing public awareness about the SDGs is a major component of IGEE’s work. Understanding Sustainable Development with Ban Ki-moon is a flagship course developed by IGEE to increase students understanding of SDGs. Students learn about the definition, historical background, and normative and analytical aspects of sustainable development taught by renowned scholars and experts. Aside from this course available to Yonsei students, IGEE developed a special Coursera course Sustainable Development in the 21st Century with Ban Ki-moon open to the public. https://ko.coursera.org/learn/sustainable-development-ban-ki-moon; Read more

“GEEF X AEARU” discusses university's role in sustainable development

“GEEF X AEARU” discusses university's role in sustainable development: The “GEEF X AEARU 2019 Forum” held at Yonsei University on October 30 discussed the critical role of higher education institutions in implementing and driving sustainable development initiatives. Representatives of 16 universities from eight different countries including China, Japan, Kazakhstan, Niger and the United States and the 8th UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon explored the role of universities in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and how they can cooperate with each other as global knowledge partners. Yonsei University President Kim Yong-hak in his welcoming remarks stated that global problems require global action, and that given its primary role as knowledge producer, higher education can serve as a powerful means to help create a more sustainable future. In his keynote speech, Ban Ki-moon, Honorary Chairman of the Institute for Global Engagement & Empowerment (IGEE) at Yonsei University explained that of the 17 SDG goals, SDG 4 is dedicated to education, and that in recent years, universities around the world, including Yonsei University, have made massive efforts to bring the dialogue on sustainable development into the spotlight. In the first session, education experts including Professor Ju-ho Lee of KDI School of Public Policy and Professor Do-nyon Kim of Sungkyunkwan University pointed out the limitations of traditional teaching methods and stressed that a new approach should be flexible according to the characteristics of individual learners. They explained that in practice it means reorienting the education system at all levels to equip students with the requisite knowledge, skills and values to create a sustainable future. The second session discussed the global trend of dissolving borders between society and academia, and explored how universities can co-create urban sustainability. Professor Yang-joon Nam of Nanyang Technological University and Professor Peter Abrahamson of Copenhagen University presented examples from across the world where universities reach out past campus boundaries to form meaningful partnerships with industry, government and civil society organizations. The forum concluded with the adoption of a declaration which illustrates higher education’s commitment to creating a sustainable future, and the partnership of higher education institutions for the solution of global challenges. The forum was co-hosted by the IGEE of Yonsei University, National Assembly Futures Institute, and the Association of East Asian Research Universities (AEARU). AEARU is a regional organization founded in January 1996, with the goals of creating a forum for the presidents of leading research-oriented universities in East Asia and of carrying out mutual exchanges between major universities in the region. IGEE was established in 2017 to explore higher education’s unique role in helping to achieve the SDGs.; Read more

Special Conversation with Dr. Denis Mukwege and MOU Signing Ceremony

Special Conversation with Dr. Denis Mukwege and MOU Signing Ceremony: The Institute for Global Engagement and Empowerment (IGEE) at Yonsei University held the Special Conversation with 2018 Nobel Peace Laureate Dr. Denis Mukwege on July 3, 2019 at Yonsei University in Seoul, Korea. As a world-renowned gynecological surgeon and human rights activist, Dr. Mukwege has led a fearless campaign for gender equality in his home country of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where sexual violence is often used as a weapon of war against women. After specializing in the treatment of women raped during the conflict, he founded Panzi Hospital in Bukavu in 1999. Unlike its initial purpose to provide gynecological and obstetrics care, Panzi Hospital has become a safe haven for women who are victims of extreme sexual violence. Over time, however, Dr. Mukwege realized that treating the patients medically was not enough. "I found that the solution was not in the operating room," Dr. Mukwege said. "I should do more, and to do more for me was to advocate for all of those women who are going through these terrible things." Panzi Hospital adopted a holistic, four pillar model that it still uses today for the recovery process of these women, including physical, psychological, socio-economical, and legal care. Dr. Mukwege emphasized the importance of all four pillars, but also the role that men can play in resolving this human rights crisis. According to Dr. Mukwege, "To prevent these kinds of sins is really to try also to teach about masculinity. If we can see women and girls as equal to men, then I think that even if there is war, we can be in the position to say that they are women, but we are equal." Moreover, he addressed the issue of re-integrating the victims into their communities, where, often times, these women are rejected by their friends and family. "What is needed, really, is to listen to them," Dr. Mukwege said. "Sometimes we have impressions that we know everything, and we know how we can help women. But from my experience, I can say that women are so strong and you need only to listen to them." Following the dialogue and a Q&A session with audience from all around the world, Dr. Mukwege was joined by Kim Yong-Hak, President of Yonsei University, Ban Ki-moon, Honorary Chairman of IGEE, Sohn Myongsei, Executive Director of IGEE, and Won Jong-wook, Dean of the Yonsei University Graduate School of Public Health, to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between Panzi Hospital, IGEE, and the Yonsei University Graduate School of Public Health. In particular, the three institutions agreed to collaborate on the mutual exchange of scientific material, faculty, students, research findings, and any other activities to help promote inclusive and sustainable development.; Read more

Preparing for Round 3: GEEF 2020 Preview

Preparing for Round 3: GEEF 2020 Preview: After two successful years of hosting the Global Engagement & Empowerment Forum on Sustainable Development (GEEF), IGEE hosted GEEF 2020 Preview on May 31 at Yonsei University’s Historical Garden to present plans for the next forum which is scheduled to take place on February 26-27. More than 60 people including representatives of the government of Korea, diplomatic corps, international organizations, businesses and academia took part in the event which opened with musical performances of the brass and percussion ensemble from Yonsei University’s College of Music, and its dean and renowned tenor Kang Moolim. In his welcome speech, Yonsei University President and GEEF Organizing Committee Chair Kim Yong-Hak encouraged others to participate in GEEF and join the efforts to further the progress of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Kim said, “I am very delighted that we are here to not only celebrate the previous success of the past GEEF events but also provide an excellent opportunity to share and engage together towards a better future. Challenges exist and innovative and integrated solutions are the key to overcome.” IGEE Honorary Chair Ban Ki-moon also emphasized the importance of partnerships to achieve the SDGs saying, “Although the SDGs played as a framework for every country to pursue greater progress, we still live in a reality where improvements are needed. ... We will need global concerted action and continuously work together to achieve a desirable future with social equity and sustainability.” Former President of Austria Heinz Fischer who is also the Co-Chair of the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens and Honorary Chair of the GEEF Organizing Committee said, “There is no doubt that this Forum creates sustainable synergies and brings the international community together to implement the Agenda 2030. The GEEF constitutes an important hub for cooperation and exchange of ideas, awareness raising and education.” While presenting plans for GEEF 2020, IGEE Executive Director Sohn Myongsei showed areas where different organizations can participate: - Ambassador’ Roundtable: A High Level Political Forum 2020 type session that is a discussion based on the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda and SDGs. It will provide an opportunity to share, discuss, and review each country’s achievement of the SDGs. - Hosting Discussion Session: With a theme related to one or more of the 17 SDGs, any organization can have the opportunity to host a session. - Conducting Side Event: A good opportunity to utilize GEEF as an effective promotional channel to the public. Previous side events include the UNFPA Seoul Office Opening Ceremony, SDG Goal 5 Advocacy Ceremony, and the MOU signing ceremonies with various partners. In addition to previewing GEEF 2020, IGEE also acknowledged two partners that contributed to the success of GEEF 2018 and 2019. Kim Yong-Hak and Ban Ki-moon presented awards of appreciation to Leo Suh, President of Samsonite Korea, and Demitris Psillakis, Chairperson of the European Chamber of Commerce in Korea (ECCK) and President & CEO of Mercedes-Benz Korea. To read and download GEEF 2019 Report, go to http://igee.yonsei.ac.kr/igee_en_new/geef/report.do?mode=view&articleNo=68290&article.offset=0&articleLimit=10; Read more

Towards Global Peace: Strengthening Youth’s Involvement in the Global Nuclear Dialogue

Towards Global Peace: Strengthening Youth’s Involvement in the Global Nuclear Dialogue: The Institute for Global Engagement & Empowerment (IGEE), together with the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) and Yonsei University, held an event entitled "Towards Global Peace: Strengthening Youth’s Involvement in the Global Nuclear Dialogue" on May 31 at Yonsei University in Seoul. It served as a venue to promote understanding of non-proliferation and disarmament among youth and foster their active participation in the global nuclear agenda. Around 80 people, most of whom were students, attended the event which consisted of three sessions, namely: Transforming Global Crises into Extraordinary Creative Opportunities for Dialogue and Engagement; Role of Youth in Denuclearization; and Introducing International Organizations in Vienna. Among the key speakers were the 8th UN Secretary-General and Honorary Chair of IGEE at Yonsei University Ban Ki-moon, CTBTO Executive Secretary Dr. Lassina Zerbo, 11th President of the Republic of Austria and Co-Chair of the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens Heinz Fischer, and Ambassador and Chairperson of the Preparatory Commission for 2019 Shin Dong-ik. "Today, it is incredibly important for the next generation of leaders and students to keep their memories and advocacy alive. The world needs their skills, leadership, and commitment in promoting disarmament and non-proliferation," said Honorary Chair Ban. Furthermore, the second session featured presentations and a panel discussion by: Ambassador Shin; Dr. Yim Man-sung, Professor of Nuclear and Quantum Engineering at Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST); Dr. Muhammad Qasim, CTBT Youth Group Member; Ms. Yujin Julia Jung, Researcher and PhD Student at University of Missouri; and Mr. Dong-hyeon Kim, Coordinator at Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard University. The speakers discussed their own initiatives to strengthen the role of youth in global peace and security dialogue, introducing CTBT Youth Group activities as an example of engaging in such a discussion. In his presentation, Dr. Qasim explained the CTBT Youth Group's effort in organizing Peace Forums and Youth Conferences in an attempt to raise youth awareness on the CTBT conversations. Ms. Jung shared her research findings on how South Korean youth are more determined than any other generations in seeking peace and denuclearization, further asserting the importance of youth participation. For his part, Mr. Kim stressed that due to the rapid changes in North Korea's nuclear programs, it may bring rise to suggestions of inadvisable solutions such as unilateral nuclear armament of South Korea. Meanwhile, Ambassador Shin shared practical information and knowledge on working at international organizations.; Read more

Solution Lab Final Report 2018

Solution Lab Final Report 2018: The Final Report of a research funded by the Solution Lab 2018 has been published. It was conducted by a research team led by Dr. Joon Sang Baek, an assistant professor at the Department of Human Environment and Design at Yonsei University. His team searched solutions to tackle fine dust problem for children and suggested ideas for new products or services. Please see the attached document for more information. Solution Lab Final Report 2018 「Solution for Fine Dust to Protect the Most Vulnerable Members of the Society: Children」 Written by: Cheol Min Park, Ji Yoon Jung, Kwan Pyo Kim, Dong Keun Yoon, Joon Sang Baek DESIS Lab at Yonsei University; Read more

Joint Research with the World Bank on the Sustainable Development

Joint Research with the World Bank on the Sustainable Development: The Institute for Global Engagement & Empowerment (IGEE) at Yonsei University has partnered with the World Bank and will implement a joint research on the Sustainable Development. On 12th April, the World Bank announced that it will cooperate with the IGEE at Yonsei University to conduct a joint research to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of developing countries. The joint research team plans to publish a report that diagnoses the status of achieving the goals of sustainable development in Vietnam, Kazakhstan, and Egypt based on the SDG indicators adopted unanimously by U.N. member states. The $900,000 fund was set up by the Ministry of Strategy and Finance and the World Bank's SDG Fund to achieve the SDGs, and will be injected into each country's sustainable energy development, quality jobs creation and welfare system research, etc. The joint research team claimed that this will help the South Korea’s cooperation with Vietnam and Kazakhstan, which are key countries of the South Korean government’s New Southern Policy and New Northern Policy. IGEE was established in September 2017 as a direct institution under the presidency of Yonsei University, which also contributes to the university’s emphasis on social participation and works for the sustainable development of mankind. The 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, is the Honorary Chair. In addition to the joint research with the World Bank, IGEE will contribute to the dissemination of relevant knowledge and information not only for experts but also the public through hosting the Online Knowledge Sharing (World Bank Blog) and the Global Engagement & Empowerment Forum on Sustainable Development (GEEF). Find details below: http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2019/04/12/world-bank-group-government-of-korea-join-forces-to-support-achievement-of-sdgs https://www.mk.co.kr/news/politics/view/2019/04/262207/; Read more

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