Kyobo Life Insurance announced on the 25th that it held the "2nd Jigu-hada Festival" at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul from the 23rd to the 24th in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment.
"Jigu-hada" carries the meaning of recognizing the importance of environmental conservation and saving the Earth through proper practice. Following last year, this second event was organized to inform the entire nation about the importance of environmental conservation and proper ways to practice it, enabling sustainable environmental protection in daily life. Over 30 public institutions, eco-friendly companies, and organizations, including the Ministry of Environment, National Environmental Education Center, Korea Environmental Preservation Association, Suji Environmental Education Center, Bukhansan National Park, National Institute of Ecology, National Institute of Environmental Research, K-water Human Resources Development Institute, EcoPeace Asia, and Play31, participated with experience booths, making Gwanghwamun Square a true festival ground for environmental education in Korea.
In his welcoming speech, Cho Dae-gyu, President of Kyobo Life Insurance, emphasized, "Today’s environmental issues cannot be solved by government efforts alone; companies and citizens must work together," and added, "Kyobo Life Insurance will take the lead in raising environmental awareness and practicing eco-friendly actions as a corporate citizen."
At the opening ceremony of the "2nd JiguHada Festival" held on the afternoon of the 24th at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, Cho Dae-gyu, President of Kyobo Life Insurance (fourth from the right in the back row), Lee Young-seok, Acting Director of the Climate and Carbon Policy Office at the Ministry of Environment (sixth), and Shin Jin-soo, President of the Korea Environmental Preservation Association (eighth), are taking a commemorative photo with the winners of the environmental protection practice contest. (Photo by Kyobo Life Insurance)
On the afternoon of the 23rd, as a prelude to the festival, there was a street performance by an indie band and an environmental quiz event. During the main event the following day, various eco-friendly experience activities and learning opportunities were held throughout Gwanghwamun Square, with about 5,000 students and citizens participating over the two days.
Participants learned and experienced the importance of environmental conservation, practical methods, resource circulation, and biodiversity in five zones (EARTH ZONE) organized by environmental education themes. Unique eco-friendly activities such as the "Jigu-sarang Hope Tree," where participants can donate trees to developing countries by practicing environmental actions, the "Energy Generation Experience" to simulate greenhouse gas reduction, and the "Carbon Reduction Farm" were popular. Alongside the awards ceremony for the environmental protection practice contest, lectures on the environment by experts from other fields such as astronomy and neuroscience also attracted great interest.
Kyobo Life Insurance signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Environment in June 2022 to cooperate on environmental education for a sustainable future. Nine companies closely related to the daily lives of the public, including insurance, finance, distribution, food, aviation, and transportation sectors, signed the agreement, with Kyobo Life Insurance participating as a representative company in the insurance sector.
Kyobo Life Insurance has been at the forefront of solving environmental issues through various social contribution activities. It has operated diverse environment-related programs such as the Environmental Globe Contest, Environmental Book Concert, Environmental Short-form Contest, Environmental Practice App Donation Campaign, and history and culture plogging involving employees. Last year, it received a commendation from the Minister of Environment for its leading ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) management efforts, including education to improve environmental awareness and carbon neutrality practices.
Kyobo Life Insurance’s dedication to environmental education is closely related to the practice of its founding philosophy. Established in 1958 with the founding ideals of "promoting national education" and "forming national capital," Kyobo Life Insurance has fulfilled its corporate social responsibility and practiced sustainable management for over half a century.
A Kyobo Life Insurance official stated, "We are promoting differentiated social contribution projects in environmental education so that anyone can easily learn about and practice solutions to climate change and environmental issues," adding, "We will do our best to ensure that future generations can continue to live healthy lives in a pleasant environment."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
