Gwangju Office of Education Completes Collaborative Governance School Program with Civil Society

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Gwan-woo] Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education announced on the 30th that the ‘2020 Cooperative Governance School with Civil Society’ was successfully completed.

The 1st session of the Cooperative Governance School was held from May to June, and the 2nd session took place from October to November.

This program was conducted both online and offline to communicate with more citizens.

Additionally, it was carried out through various methods such as lectures, intensive discussions among participants, field visits, and book talks, receiving enthusiastic responses from citizens regarding areas in Gwangju education that require cooperative governance.

With 160 participants in the 1st session and 131 in the 2nd, it became an opportunity to confirm the high interest in educational cooperative governance.

Moreover, graduates of the 1st session voluntarily gathered to form the preparation committee for the 2nd session, contributing ideas from the planning stage to completion, and sharing roles during the process, drawing attention as a positive model of citizen participation.

Citizens who participated in the Cooperative Governance School said, “It was a practical learning space for cooperative governance that contemplates and practices changes in education. We hope the Cooperative Governance School will be expanded by district and region, and that a systematic cooperative governance school system will be established through basic and advanced citizen education courses.” They also expressed, “We hope there will be stable cooperative governance channels and venues in Gwangju education for the continuous operation of the Cooperative Governance School and citizen participation.”

An official from the Metropolitan Office of Education stated, “It is meaningful in enhancing cooperative governance capabilities through the process where educational stakeholders actively communicate and resolve educational issues,” and added, “Through the operation of the Cooperative Governance School, the Office of Education and civil society will work together to strengthen cooperative governance capabilities.”