Yoon: "Supporting the Spread of Volunteer Culture... Increasing International Community's Helping Hands"

Attending the World Volunteer Conference: "The Power of Strong Solidarity is Needed"

President Yoon Suk-yeol delivers a congratulatory speech at the opening ceremony of the '27th IAVE 2024 Busan World Volunteer Conference' held at the Busan Port International Exhibition & Convention Center (BPEX) on the 22nd. [Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon Suk-yeol stated on the 22nd, "We are striving to deeply root volunteerism in our society, and we will continue to strongly support the further spread of volunteer culture." He also emphasized, "We will increase our helping hands toward the international community and, following the significant increase in the official development assistance (ODA) budget since our government took office, we will play a leading role in closing development gaps between countries, climate gaps, and digital gaps."

On the same day, President Yoon attended the 27th World Volunteer Conference (IAVE) 2024 Busan World Volunteer Conference held in Busan Metropolitan City, where he encouraged over 800 volunteers from more than 90 countries worldwide and made these remarks.

The World Volunteer Conference is the only international conference in the field of volunteerism hosted by IAVE, held every two years since the first conference in Los Angeles, USA, in 1970. South Korea successfully hosted the conference again after 22 years since the Seoul conference in 2002, and it is the first time in 22 years that a South Korean president has attended the World Volunteer Conference since President Kim Dae-jung in 2002.

IAVE is a leading international non-governmental organization (NGO) with individual and organizational members in 125 countries worldwide, fostering global volunteer leaders. It hosts the World Volunteer Conference and provides advisory services to the United Nations (UN) Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), among other activities. This event was organized under the theme "The Power of Humanity, Creating a Sustainable Future through Volunteerism," providing an opportunity for volunteers from around the world to gather, share innovative cases, and support each other.

In his congratulatory speech, President Yoon said, "Busan is the perfect place to confirm the power of good solidarity," explaining, "Over 70 years ago, Busan was a city of refugees, but people helped, shared, and cared for each other, overcoming the wounds of war together." He particularly noted, "The relief supplies from around the world and the dedication of volunteers that came through Busan Port were a great strength for South Korea to rise again from adversity," adding, "Busan and South Korea are vivid proof of how great miracles can be achieved when people help each other with good will."

President Yoon continued, "Humanity is facing unprecedented new challenges," and said, "To protect human freedom and prosperity, the power of strong solidarity is necessary." He emphasized that it is important for free citizens to practice the spirit of philanthropy and solidarity for their neighbors and communities, and volunteerism is precisely the answer.

The event was attended by over 800 domestic and international volunteers, including Matt Clausen, Vice President of IAVE, and Park Hyung-jun, Co-Chairman of the Busan World Volunteer Conference (Mayor of Busan Metropolitan City). Related organizations included Tapia Kamaruko, Head of Volunteer Advisory Services at the UN Volunteers, and government officials such as Lee Sang-min, Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. From the Presidential Office, Jeon Gwang-sam, Senior Secretary for Civil Society, also participated.