Circles and Squares

 THE 2ND EAST ASIA YOUTH LEADERSHIP FORUM

“SOCIAL NETWORKS AND THE POTENTIAL OF YOUTH”

  February 15th, 2015 

1. Introduction

The next generation is facing the challenges and opportunities born of a rapidly globalizing world, climate change and the rise of the Internet. It is in this context that Sookmyung Women’s University and The Asia Institute will host a forum exclusively for teenagers from Korea, and throughout East Asia, in which they can gather to discuss in earnest the various issues that the world faces, and while interacting with renowned experts in related fields, come up with their own proposals for a better world for themselves and future generations. This unique event can serve as a critical moment in their lives, a stepping stone as they set forth to become global leaders. This East Asia Youth Leadership Forum is focused on the critical question of social networks.

2. Objectives of the Forum

To give thoughtful high school students first-hand experience participating in a world-class international forum, thereby allowing them to grasp the significance of international to a degree not possible in the classroom, and have an opportunity to express their opinions on important policy issues in a serious debate. To listen to lectures by world-renowned experts both online and offline, thereby gaining new insights into possible solutions to current global challenges; to actively participate in debates concerning the most recent developments into a broad range of fields from politics and economics to technology and culture. To establish an international network that includes committed students from other countries and schools throughout Asia for the purpose of building a brighter future of all. With these objectives in mind, Sookmyung Women’s University and The Asia Institute have organized this international forum for thoughtful and committed youth dedicated to making a difference. We welcome participants from inside Korea and around the world who are ready to meet this challenge. We will do our best to launch you on a successful path towards leadership in politics, economics, arts, academia, technology and diplomacy.

3. Details of the Forum

On-line social networks such as Facebook and Twitter have taken off at a tremendous rate around the world over the last ten year years and have evolved into a major part of the daily lives of many youth. The tremendous potential of social networks for communication, friendship and creativity attracts us. Nevertheless, much of the cooperation on social networks remains superficial and self-indulgent. The opportunities for forming networks around the world to promote deep communication and collaboration are underplayed or ignored. Oddly, youth are more likely to employ social networks to show each other photographs of cafe lattes or fat cats and dogs than to talk about how we can build a better world. In this one-day forum and workshop, youth from Korea and around the world will come together to consider the potential of on-line social networks and make creative and relevant proposals for how the full potential of this technology can be realized. The forum will include lectures by outstanding experts and also opportunities to work together with other thoughtful and capable youth to build a better world. Read more of this post

Professor Marc Shell of the department of comparative literature at Harvard University visited Seoul (December 16-26, 2014) to deliver a series of lectures and meet with students and experts. Professor Shell’s recent book “Islandology” considers the cultural and rhetorical importance of islands in human history, looking at examples from ancient Greece to contemporary Denmark. The book features a section on Korea and specifically on the islands of Seoul. Read more of this post