"Youth Facilities and Programs Need Budget Support for Hobby Activities and 4th Industrial Revolution Activity Spaces"

Professor Eun-Kyung Lee of Myongji University Department of Youth Guidance Emphasizes the Need for Budget Support for Youth Facilities, Programs, Hobby Activities, and 4th Industrial Revolution Spaces at the 'Seodaemun Real Stories of Teens' Forum

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Seodaemun-gu (Mayor Moon Seok-jin) announced on the 4th that the "Seodaemun Teens' Real Stories" forum, hosted by four youth organizations in the area and sponsored by the Korea Youth Foundation, was recently held at the Hong Eun Youth Culture House.

The event, organized jointly by Seodaemun Youth Center, Hong Eun Youth Culture House, Seodaemun Career Experience Support Center, and Seodaemun Youth Counseling Welfare Center, was conducted online via ZOOM and YouTube.

The forum was based on the results of a survey conducted in eight areas (quality of life, mental health, digital violence, career, leisure, policy participation, environment, media) targeting about 5,000 local youths. The survey was carried out through a coalition of the four youth organizations.

First, in the "Seodaemun Different Dreams" quiz, participants explored each other's thoughts through pre-voting results from youths, parents, teachers, and experts on topics such as teens' desired occupations, preferred leisure activities and spaces, and college enrollment intentions.

In the keynote presentation, Professor Eun-kyung Lee from Myongji University's Department of Youth Guidance emphasized the need for budget support to provide youth facilities and programs, as well as to create spaces for hobbies and Fourth Industrial Revolution activities.

Following this, a "Whatever Talk Show" took place with the participation of Mayor Moon Seok-jin of Seodaemun-gu, Councilor Cha Seung-yeon of Seodaemun-gu, Professor Eun-kyung Lee, and youths Baek Su-bin (high school 1st year), Hwang In-hyuk (high school 2nd year), and Lee Jae-hyun (high school 1st year).

In response to youths' questions about "countermeasures against digital violence," Professor Lee stated, "It is necessary to activate peer counseling clubs within schools and provide education on self-expression methods and the seriousness of the issue."

Regarding the "expansion of cultural and artistic spaces," Councilor Cha Seung-yeon expressed, "We will actively utilize existing youth facilities and school spaces and support the provision of cultural and artistic spaces by district."

On questions about "standardized democratic citizenship education and youth political participation," Mayor Moon Seok-jin said, "There needs to be a change in awareness regarding youth political participation within schools, and Seodaemun-gu will strive to ensure that youths' democratic decision-making is concretized within the community."

Youth Hwang In-hyuk shared, "There were many parts of the survey results that I could relate to," and expressed hope that the mayor, councilors, and professors would continue to listen to youths' opinions.

Hwang In-guk, Chairman of the Korea Youth Foundation, mentioned, "The survey results targeting a total of 5,000 youths by district and grade in Seodaemun-gu will be used as data for youth policy formulation and facility operation."

Mayor Moon Seok-jin of Seodaemun-gu stated, "Based on the basic youth policy plan, which was the first established by a Seoul autonomous district, and the recent survey results in eight areas, we will closely coordinate with schools, education offices, and youth organizations to actively support youths' safety, happiness, and career development."