Global conference on Korea's Saemaul Undong movement

새마을연구원 국제학술대회 '왜 세계는 한국을 주목하는가?'
Korea's Saemaul Undong movement has propelled the nation's development over the last several decades.
A conference was held in Gumi to share how the movement can be spread to other countries as a model of sustainable development.
Kim Hyesung files this report from Gumi.
What does Korea have to teach the world about development?
Quite a bit, if you ask some of the attendees at this global conference on Korea's Saemaul Undong initiative held Thursday in the city of Gumi.
The conference focuses on the implications of the Saemaul initiative for sustainability.
The Saemaul Undong, launched in the 1970s by the Korean government, inspired community-driven development based on diligence, self-help and cooperation, and is credited with laying the foundation for Korea's modernization.

"This year marks the launch of the UN's new development agenda, which sets 17 new sustainable development goals,... making the forum all the more meaningful."

During three sessions, more than 600 leaders and students from 42 countries shared their insights on how to use the Samaeul Undong as a new rural development paradigm for the world.

"Saemaul Undong program in Korea has done a lot for the Korean people. They are today one of the greatest nations of the world. We have to learn from Korea to make sure our people have better education, better health care and better housing."

The Saemaul movement has already been adopted in 26 countries, and Korea has helped them build their own Saemaul villages by training leaders, setting up infrastructure and sharing technology.
The movement has also been adopted by the UN.

"Saemaul undong contributed to overcoming hunger, borigogae in the 1960s and 70s in Korea. And WFP is actually implementing Saemaul zero hunger project which is in four countries, Rwanda, Nepal, Tanzania and Banglesh."

Encouraging community members to cooperate and adopt a can-do spirit, Korea's Saemaul Undong is expected to contribute to sustainable development around the world.
Kim Hyesung, Arirang News, Gumi.


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