제주평화연구원

 

Commitments to Peace Education

The project to support peace education consists of the Peace Academy for citizens and peace education for youths.

1) The Peace Academy The Peace Academy for citizens, organized by the “Jeju Citizens’ Council for the Island of World Peace.” and operated by the Jeju YWCA, provides lectures and question-and-answer sessions with experts in the fields of peace, environment, economy, culture, human rights and welfare affairs. The Peace Academy was established in 2006 under Article 155 of the “special law on establishment of the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province and International Free City” and Article 235 (amended) of the “ordinance on establishment and operation of the Jeju Citizens’ Council for the Island of World Peace.” From 2006 to 2015, it had hosted 101 sessions attended by a total of 12,079 people.

The Academy also operates a program to visit the peace-related relics, with the Academy sessions and programs being broadcasted by KCTV Jeju. Those who complete the Academy course are awarded with certificates.

Starting with the session on the “national strategy for peaceful reunification,” the Academy has presented lectures on the “IS threats of terrorism and the Syrian refugee issue,” “Peace accomplished by culture and arts,” “North Korea seen through films (Winter Butterfly and human rights of the North),” and “North Korean nuclear issue and our attitude toward it” in 2016. The academy is also set to give lectures on the themes of “nature and peace” and “humanities and peace” in the latter half of 2016. 2) The Peace Academy for Youths The Peace Academy for youths was the peace education program administered at the children’s care center and cultural center for youths from 2007 to 2011 under the auspices of the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, the Jeju Peace Institute and the Seogwipo YWCA.

To raise awareness of the Island of World Peace among the youths and help with their understanding of peace, the Academy organized expert lectures on peace, a tour of the International Peace Center of Jeju and quiz games on peace. It also hosted educational events such as painting, postcard making and public speaking relating to the theme of peace.

The Peace Academy for youths was held for 42 sessions up to 2011, with a total of 3,368 participants joining the programs. The Academy helped the youths of Jeju Island learn about the background of the peace movement and the practice of peace, understand the meaning of the Island of World Peace and pay more attention to peace-related matters in their daily lives.