On the 28th, YU Hosts the 2025 Global Saemaul Undong Forum

Under the theme of ‘Tasks and Directions for Global Sharing of Saemaul Undong and Saemaul Studies’

Experts from 29 Countries Including Ambassadors from Ethiopia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and International Organizations

CHOI Oe-chool, YU President: “Sharing Saemaul Undong to Realize the Spirit of Hongik Ingan”

[November 28, 2025]

 YU (President CHOI Oe-chool) hosted the 2025 Global Saemaul Undong Forum on November 28 at the Cheonma Art Center.  This year’s forum, themed “Tasks and Directions for Global Sharing of Saemaul Undong and Saemaul Studies,” was organized to bring together experts and practitioners from around the world to share experiences of Saemaul Undong development and the academic framework of Saemaul Studies with the international community, presenting the university’s future vision of fostering talent that contributes to the advancement of humanity.

The event was attended by CHOI Oe-chool, President of YU; LEE Kyung-soo, Vice President for Strategic Planning; KIM Sam-soo, Vice President for Industry-Academic Collaboration; LEE Seung-jong, Director of GSDN (Distinguished Professor at YU); Dessie Dalkie Dukamo, Ambassador of Ethiopia to Korea; Nkubito Manzi Bakuramutsa, Ambassador of Rwanda to Korea; Paul Sobba Massaquoi, Ambassador of Sierra Leone to Korea; and Alpha Ibrahima Thiam, Chargé d’Affaires of Mauritania to Korea, among other distinguished diplomatic representatives.

<From left, third from the left — Alpha Ibrahima Thiam (Chargé d’Affaires of Mauritania to Korea), Nkubito Manzi Bakuramutsa (Ambassador of Rwanda to Korea), CHOI Oe-chool (YU President), Dessie Dalkie Dukamo (Ambassador of Ethiopia to Korea), Paul Sobba Massaquoi (Ambassador of Sierra Leone to Korea)>

 Following the opening ceremony, the first keynote lecture was delivered by PARK Seung-woo (YU Distinguished Professor and Director of GSDN), who presented “Development and Implications of Saemaul Studies,” outlining the systematic development process of Saemaul Studies and future research directions. The second keynote lecture was delivered by Dessie Dalkie Dukamo, Ambassador of Ethiopia to Korea, who presented “Policy Case of Applying Saemaul Undong for the Development of Ethiopia,” detailing practical examples of Saemaul Undong contributing to local development initiatives.

 During the afternoon session, discussions continued on the achievements and future strategies of global development cooperation utilizing Saemaul Undong. In Session 1, themed “Cases of Applying Saemaul Undong for Promoting Development in Developing Countries,” LIM Hyung-joon, Head of the UN WFP Malawi Office, delivered a keynote presentation, with Ambassador Nkubito Manzi Bakuramutsa participating as a panelist to share experiences of expanding Saemaul Undong in African regions. In Session 2, themed “Tasks and Directions for Sharing Saemaul Studies in Developing Countries,” LEE Sang-ho, Director of the Institute for International Development Cooperation (IIDC), presented, followed by a discussion led by KIM Yang-jin, Director of the Gyeongbuk International Development Cooperation Center, who discussed strategies for expanding Saemaul Studies. Session 3 featured presentations on “Cases of Sharing Achievements of Saemaul Undong with the International Community,” highlighting its global applications. The final comprehensive discussion included OH Chang-kyun (GDF Director), LEE Kyung-soo (YU Vice President), MOON Sang-won (KOICA Director of Project Strategy and Planning), and YU Professor SEO Yong-won, along with Ambassadors Paul Sobba Massaquoi and Alpha Ibrahima Thiam, who engaged in broad discussions on the global dissemination of Saemaul Undong and Saemaul Studies.

President CHOI Oe-chool of YU stated, “Saemaul Undong is a development model that has contributed to expanding humane living conditions beyond eras and national borders, and it continues to receive international recognition. Regardless of race, religion, gender, occupation, or place of residence, every individual has the right to live with dignity, and such an environment must be ensured. Saemaul Undong is a model that best embodies the philosophy of Hongik Ingan (弘益人間—benefiting all humanity).”

 He continued, “Creating a world where all 8 billion human beings can live dignified lives is a shared responsibility and aspiration for all of us. If we actively interact and cooperate beyond regions and nations, humanity will become even more deeply connected over the next 50 or 100 years. I hope this forum becomes a meaningful platform to share and expand these values and philosophies. I also hope it provides an opportunity to recognize and share YU’s efforts to systematically organize Korea’s development experience and institutionalize it as Saemaul Studies for global dissemination. YU will continue to dedicate itself to nurturing global contributors who tackle common challenges of humanity and build a more dignified and attractive Republic of Korea.”