Yeongyang-gun, Citizens' Great Unity Communication Forum 'Starlight Academy' Successfully Concluded

The lifelong education platform in Yeongyang-gun, Gyeongbuk, has come to a grand conclusion.

The Starlight Academy in Yeongyang-gun, which concluded its grand finale.

Lifelong education, which refers to the educational philosophy that everyone must be educated throughout their entire life?from home, school, to society?was proposed with the purpose of continuously receiving education to adapt to the rapidly changing social environment.

This purpose soon became crucial for the role of high-quality lifelong education for all Yeongyang residents in response to new social and industrial structures, represented by demographic changes such as low birth rates and aging population, rapid technological advancements symbolized by the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and the entry into a multicultural society.

To leap forward as a city keeping pace with the changing times, Yeongyang-gun ambitiously prepared the Starlight Academy, a pledge project of the 8th local government administration, inviting experts from various fields such as culture, arts, general knowledge, and humanities to provide in-depth lecture programs for residents, thereby fostering cultural literacy and creating a kind of communication platform where residents can learn from distinguished figures.

The Starlight Academy, which received great response from local residents, reached a turning point on the 15th with the final lecture of this year, marking both a moment of regret and a promise for next year.

Starting in October 2022, the lectures have reached their eighth session under the slogan “The core of change is education; you must learn to change!” After hosting broadcaster Lee Sang-byeok for the first Yeongyang Starlight Academy, experts from diverse fields such as professors, doctors, history lecturers, and mountaineers were invited to deliver knowledge and inspiration to the residents.

Yeongyang-gun proposed a differentiated lifelong education model from other local governments for residents who are eager to learn but have limited mobility and wish to experience diverse education. This model satisfies educational desires by inviting distinguished figures whom residents might otherwise have difficulty accessing or traveling to see.

The Yeongyang Starlight Academy, fulfilling this role, has been so well received that it is difficult to find empty seats at every session.

Residents eagerly await the Starlight Academy every month, and their curiosity and interest in the next lecturer continue to grow. Inquiries about the Starlight Academy keep coming in, as not only local residents but also people from other municipalities appreciate the opportunity to enjoy lectures by distinguished figures?lectures that usually require payment?free of charge. It is truly gratifying that administrative efforts focused on residents are reciprocated with such interest.

Change is necessary to maintain continuous interest. The county government judged that simply providing lectures would not be very effective in promoting the grand unity of residents. Therefore, future Starlight Academy programs will include discussion sessions where residents can converse and communicate, striving to realize the grand unity of the community.

County Governor Oh Do-chang emphasized the importance of communication, saying, “The key is communication, in other words, understanding through dialogue with others, not just oneself.” He added, “Our county has a smaller population compared to other local governments. Therefore, mutual bonds are essential and one of the most important aspects. We will continue to open many communication platforms, accumulate diverse knowledge and cultural literacy, and strengthen individual capabilities through lifelong education programs that foster mutual bonds, thereby providing many opportunities for residents to participate.”