Inaugural Ceremony Held for "Pureun-Sae" Youth Publicity Group
Exchange Program with Taiwan Planned for October
Educational Materials Distributed Nationwide and Cultural Performances Tour Schools
At Least Two Hours of Mandatory May 18 Education Introduced for All Students
The Gwangju Office of Education is actively working to promote the national and global recognition of the May 18 Democratization Movement on the occasion of its 45th anniversary. A variety of initiatives are being carried out to realize the vision of “May 18 in the World,” ranging from the operation of a youth publicity group and distribution of educational materials to international exchanges.
According to the Gwangju Office of Education on May 6, the “Youth May 18 Publicity Group Pureun-Sae” held its inaugural ceremony at Jeonil Building 245 on May 2 and officially began its activities. The group plans to promote the history and significance of May 18 both domestically and internationally through various publicity content, including visits to May 18 historical sites, correcting historical distortions, and producing card news and videos. Outstanding participants will have the opportunity to join the “May 18 Globalization Program on the Move” and participate in international exchanges, including with Taiwan.
International exchanges will also be expanded. In August, the “Visiting International Exchange” program will invite foreign youth to tour May 18 historical sites together, and in October, a joint program in Taiwan will be held in connection with the February 28 Incident. Activities to promote May 18 will also take place through overseas experiential programs such as “Global Leader Around the World.”
Efforts to promote May 18 nationwide will continue. The city office of education has distributed its own May 18 educational materials (such as PowerPoint presentations and activity sheets) to offices of education across the country and has made them available for download on the website of the Center for Democratic and Human Rights Education. Programs supporting experiential learning for students from other regions and online content such as “Owol-A Nolja” are also being operated.
A variety of programs have also been prepared for Gwangju students to experience May 18 firsthand. From May 2 to 24, “Cultural and Artistic Performances Visiting Schools” will be held at seven schools, where the On Chamber Orchestra will perform the original oratorio “Light! Light! Bitgoeul!”
In addition, the Office of Education has designated May 7 to 24 as “May 18 Commemoration Week,” during which commemorative events such as ceremonies, historical site walking festivals, the March for Democracy and Peace, and youth cultural festivals will be held. Superintendent Lee Jungseon and members of the education community will visit schools of May 18 student victims on May 7 to pay tribute together.
At the school level, May 18 education will be further strengthened. Starting this year, all schools in the district are required to include at least two hours of May 18 education, and each school will be allocated an operating budget of 500,000 to 800,000 won for commemorative projects. In addition, all schools will be provided with approved textbooks, exhibition materials, and May education kits, and training sessions for teachers and teacher research groups will also be conducted.
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