Cheongsong County Youth Center Promotes Youth Exchange Program 'We Connect'

Signed a Partnership Agreement with Uljin County Youth Center

The Cheongsong County Youth Center in North Gyeongsang Province held a two-day, one-night exchange program called 'We Connect' from September 6 to 7 in the Pohang area. About 80 youths from youth centers in Pohang, Dalseo District of Daegu, Yeongyang County, and Uljin County participated in the event.

Exchange Activities Between Sister Regions 'We Connect'. Provided by Cheongsong County

'We Connect' is a program that invites youths from sister cities to explore and exchange each region’s culture. The initiative began with an agreement with Dalseo District of Daegu in 2020, followed by partnerships with Pohang in 2022 and Yeongyang in 2023. This year, the network expanded further with the signing of an agreement with Uljin County.

Notably, this exchange included a science community called 'Ullim', in collaboration with the Cheongsong County Youth Geological Exploration Team, to operate programs on climate change response and youth mentoring.

Through these activities, the program provided a healing experience for youths from Cheongsong, Yeongyang, and Uljin, who are still coping with trauma from the wildfires in North Gyeongsang Province in March, and offered an opportunity for youths from Pohang and Dalseo District of Daegu to reflect on the value of nature. The initiative was met with enthusiastic support.

Over the years, the Cheongsong County Youth Center has actively engaged in ongoing exchanges, such as running a booth at the Pohang Youth Festival 'Popoteen', participating in the Dalseo District Youth Festival in Daegu, and inviting youths from Pohang, Dalseo District, and Yeongyang to the Cheongsong County Youth Festival. Through these activities, youths have achieved positive outcomes by learning about each other’s cultures, building friendships, and developing social skills and teamwork beyond regional boundaries.

County Governor Yoon Kyunghee stated, "'We Connect', the youth exchange program between sister cities, is an outstanding initiative that Cheongsong County has continuously promoted with a dedicated budget since 2020, and it is rare even on a national level." He added, "We will continue to develop this program so that it becomes a leading model for youth exchange activities in North Gyeongsang Province."