"Peace or Collapse: Planetary Society at an Inflection Point"

On September 21, Kyung Hee University hosted the Peace BAR Festival (PBF) at the Peace Hall to commemorate the 42nd anniversary of the United Nations' International Day of Peace. In a commemorative conversation, Dr. Inwon Choue, Chancellor of Kyung Hee University Systems, Nick Bostrom, Professor of Philosophy at Oxford University in the United Kingdom, and G. John Ikenberry, Distinguished Professor at Princeton University in the United States and Eminent Scholar at Kyung Hee University, discussed the rituals and politics that will create the framework of a new historical civilization beyond the existing civilization paradigm that threatens the existence of humanity. Kyung Hee University hosts 'Peace BAR Festival' for World Peace Day on September 21st Nick Bostrom, G. John Ikenberry, and other futurists and international statesmen --- Seeking a New Bow for Transitioning Civilizations Chairman of Kyunghee Institute, Inwon Choue "You need to have a comprehensive view, a holistic view ---" "The challenge in the face of the horrors of war is not how to strengthen national interests. It is a question of how to create a consciousness of humanity to work together for peace with our neighbors." Dr. Young Seek Choue, founder of Kyung Hee University, the proponent of the International Day of Peace (September 21) and the International Year of Peace (1986), made this point at the 1986 commemoration of the International Year of Peace at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. Thirty-seven years later, "global social peace" is still far from a reality. In fact, it has gotten worse in recent years. "Humanity and our planet are in crisis. We need peace now more than ever," says UN Secretary-General António Guterres in his message for this year's International Day of Peace. The Peace BAR Festival (PBF), which Kyunghee hosted on September 21 to commemorate the 42nd UN International Day of Peace, echoed this sentiment. The theme of this year's PBF was "Peace or Collapse: Planetary Society at an Inflection Point". In his commemorative speech, "The Future at a Cross Road: New Horizons for Holistic Existence," Dr. Inwon Choue, Chancellor of Kyung Hee University Systems, said, "We are living in a time when human survival and existence are at a crossroads. "The path beyond today's global reality of the Great Dithering is up to the citizens of the future to take on the task of awakening themselves. In the face of the Great Dithering, we must move from 'dwarfed individuals to empowered individuals' and from empowered individuals to citizens who are conscious of themselves, their neighbors, their society, and their world. This is the uplifting task for global existence that the Age of Transition calls for." ▶ Read the full text of Chancellor Inwon Choue's commemorative speech, "The Future at a Crossroads, the Horizon of Total Existence" In his commemorative speech, "The Future at a Cross Road: New Horizons for Holistic Existence," Chancellor Inwon Choue emphasized the role of future citizens to move beyond the global realities of a time when human survival and existence are at a crossroads. 'Evolution or Extinction' Moves Beyond Civilizational History Studies to the International Community This year's PBF was held at Kyung Hee University's Peace Hall and included a commemorative ceremony, a commemorative lecture, a commemorative dialog, and a roundtable. The ceremony was broadcast live via webcast (pbf.khu.ac.kr). The commemorative talk was titled "Peace or Disintegration, Consciousness and Politics at an Inflection Point. Panelists included Dr. Inwon Choue, Kyung Hee University Systems Chancellor, Nick Bostrom, Professor of Philosophy at the University of Oxford, UK, and G. John Ikenberry, Distinguished Professor at Princeton University and Eminent Scholar at Kyung Hee University, USA, as well as futurists and international political scientists. The moderator was Kim Sang-jun, professor at the Kyung Hee University Graduate School of Public Affairs. The interlocutors discussed the rituals and politics that will create the framework for a new historical civilization beyond the existing civilization paradigm that threatens humanity's existence. Prior to the commemorative conversation, Professor Nick Bostrom delivered a commemorative lecture on the topic of "The Road to AI Utopia and Its Challenges. The event began with a diagnosis of the times we live in. Dr. Inwon Choue said, "The world is facing unprecedented conditions that humanity has never faced before, such as catastrophic climate and environmental change, the possibility of nuclear war, the rapid proliferation of disruptive technologies, and realpolitik with unstable fissures. In the face of these unprecedented and complex crises, the topic of 'evolution or extinction' has moved beyond the realm of civilizational history research and into the international community," he said, noting the implications. UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned last year that "humanity has only two options: collective action or collective suicide," and recently stated that "the era of global warming is over. The era of Global Boiling has arrived." The ultra-strong tone of the statement was uncharacteristic for an international organization that is used to using diplomatic rhetoric. "The international community has held numerous international conferences over the past few decades to address global challenges. But it has been spinning in circles, unable to prevent the potential for civilizational catastrophe in our time. Scholars call this the 'great retardation'. "Why is humanity so slow to respond to the issues of our destiny?" he asks, and suggests that the root cause is the perception of reality and the culture that humanity has created in its rush to industrialize. "Modern industrial societies have placed so much emphasis on 'growth' that they have created a way of thinking that reduces everything to economic value. As this tendency has become embedded in modern civilization and modern life, individuals, societies, nations, and the international community have found it difficult to accept the uncomfortable truths behind the achievements of industrial civilization. This is what has led to today's crises and catastrophes." "Recalling the history of 'great delays' caused by human and systemic desires, it seems difficult to gather the existential will to break through today's civilizational crisis. The last resort is probably the deep reflection of civil society and the breakthrough will of individual citizens to solve the problem." Prof. Nick Bostrom says, "We need to learn from past experience and change course. During the Cold War, the conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union did not escalate to nuclear war. It was understood that the use of nuclear weapons would result in the self-destruction of all humanity. Now, the existential threats to humanity are not just nuclear. It could be climate, or it could be superintelligence. What is clear is that our current crisis is self-inflicted. With that in mind, we need to take a macro view and deal with it." "Man-made 'existential threats' -- we need to take a macro view" Prof. Nick Bostrom raised similar concerns in his lecture and conversation, sharing two stories. The first was that a worker worked hard at his job without thinking about what he was making, and what he made was a weapon that Hitler used in war. The second is that humanity's constant struggles, wars, and political partisanship result in destruction and isolation. "If we don't think about the direction and consequences of what we do, as in the first case, it's easy to fall into the trap of justifying our actions to ourselves," says Bostrom. "Wars and partisan battles are clear examples of our lack of coordination and harmony," he says. "We need to learn from past experiences and lessons to change course in order to deal with the existential threats we face. During the Cold War, the conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union did not escalate into a third nuclear war. It was understood that the use of nuclear weapons would lead to the self-destruction of all humanity. Now, the existential threat to humanity is not just nuclear. It could be climate, or it could be a superintelligence that surpasses human intelligence. What is clear is that our existential threats are self-inflicted. With that in mind, we need to take a macro view and deal with it." "The crisis is not only nuclear, climate, and AI, but also political," said Prof. G. John Ikenberry. "At the Security Council meeting at UN headquarters on September 20 (local time), only US President Joe Biden was present among the leaders of the five permanent members - the US, China, Russia, the UK, and France. Russia even threatened war. Multilateral organizations, including the United Nations, are dysfunctional in the face of multiple crises, including geopolitical crises, the climate crisis, and the race for supremacy in the face of advancing technology. Reflecting on the history of the United Nations, the world's nations must build new cooperation and solidarity." Throughout the 1930s and early 1940s, humanity faced great crises, including the Great Depression, World War II, fascism, totalitarianism, the Holocaust, and the dropping of the atomic bomb, but with the founding of the United Nations in 1945, a new international order was created. It established a system of multilateral cooperation to more actively ensure peace and maintain a stable international order. "This is a very different era than 1945," says Prof. Ikenberry. It is not a time for political interests. Our very survival is at stake, and we must uphold the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Climate Agreement. We need to create a multilateralism based on universal values." "Universal values of humanity, coexistence and co-prosperity of all beings on the planet Earth, and finding a new path to peace" After the interlocutors' diagnosis of the times and their troubling remarks, Prof. Kim Sang-jun said, "I could feel the arrival of a complex civilizational crisis in which the existence of humanity is threatened," and led the conversation to explore ways to deal with the existential threats facing global society. "A holistic way of thinking could be an alternative," Dr. Choue responded. "Starting with the propositions that 'the whole is one' and 'everything is connected,' holistic thinking has its roots in theoretical physics and cosmology. According to Big Bang cosmology, all worlds originated from a point near infinity. Dr. Roger Penrose, Nobel Laureate in Physics, and Dr. Stuart Hameroff, an anesthesiologist, have collaborated on a mechanism for the emergence of human consciousness that follows a quantum wavefunction decay mechanism that bridges the microcosm of quantum science, the macrocosm of human experience, and both. Through physics, cosmology, and humanistic imagination, they continue to reflect on the coolness of all things and human origins. "We need a new paradigm that can create a transition phase," he said, emphasizing that it is time to find a new path to peace that is tangible and public, based on the universal values of humanity, coexistence and co-creation of all beings on this planet. "We need a new paradigm that can create a transitional moment," he said. "I think the holistic way of thinking is very relevant at this time, especially when everything can collapse at the moment when climate, nuclear and artificial intelligence each enter the Singularity. We need to reflect on the scientific understanding and human and social implications of overlap and entanglement, non-localization and unboundedness. That would be the first step in solving the human, political, and social problems created by the modern paradigm." Prof. Ikenberry also emphasized the need for a "holistic worldview," saying, "The current crisis requires a response that transcends borders. We need to foster a sense of global citizenship where we share a common future. We need to find basic norms and principles that we can agree on. We need to find common ground where there are differences of opinion." "The international order, which was in crisis, was dismantled and disintegrated during the pandemic. Coexistence and cooperation among nations have disappeared, and national self-interest has increased. Global citizenship has also been undermined. While the pandemic has made our interconnectedness more apparent, it has also led to greater isolation and division," he said, adding that there is hope. "Humans are incredibly creative when it comes to developing science and technology. This is how we built industrial civilization. We're the ones who built the global system. We have the inherent capacity to overcome crises. We will be able to overcome the current crisis by utilizing scientific knowledge and imagination." He also said, "In my lectures, I ask students what kind of future they want, and I always hear that they want an open society with freedom and a society that can overcome global challenges. I think universities have a huge role to play in this. Universities can broaden intellectual horizons, allowing us to move away from narrow, dichotomous, and segmented thinking and open up new possibilities," he said, emphasizing the role of universities. "The international order, which was in crisis, has been dismantled and disintegrated by the pandemic," said Prof. G. John Ikenberry. Interconnectedness has become more evident, but isolation and fragmentation have become more extreme." While he is concerned, he adds, "Humans are incredibly creative when it comes to developing science and technology. This is how we built industrial civilization. We have an inherent capacity to overcome crises. With scientific knowledge and imagination, we will be able to overcome the crisis." He expressed hope. "Extraterrestrial intelligent life--superintelligence--must be approached with all possibilities open" "Some people are excited about superintelligence because it opens up new possibilities. The optimism is that superintelligence will solve problems that humans cannot solve. If artificial intelligence can continue to expand beyond humans in the realm of intelligence and consciousness, I wonder if there could be such beings in the universe outside of Earth." "How should we view the problem of extraterrestrial intelligent life and superintelligence?" asked Dr. Bostrom. "I think we can think of extraterrestrial intelligent life and superintelligence as the same problem," Bostrom said. We don't know how it's going to play out, so we have to be open to all possibilities. We need to ask questions like, 'What will happen to humanity if alien intelligent life emerges that is superior to us,' and look to history for answers," he said. As he explains, humans have driven many species to extinction along the path of industrial civilization. It has changed the fate of other animals. Just as the survival of animals like gorillas and chimpanzees is influenced more by humans than by their own will, the fate of humans could be determined by alien intelligent life or superintelligence. "There are extraterrestrial intelligent life forms that are far superior to us," says Bostrom. If we look at what we've done to the Earth and its flora and fauna, it's easy to see the answer. If a superintelligence is developed that far exceeds human intelligence, it will be very powerful. It could be an existential disaster for humanity. Given the pace and course of AI development, this may not be that far off," he warns. "The good news is that AI is designed by humans. It's the initial design that sets the direction we want to go. Even now, we need to find ways to use AI in ways that are consistent with universal human values and ethics, and for peaceful purposes only. We still have a chance. Extraterrestrial intelligent life is a different matter. We don't know what's going on in the universe. We need to be humble, look at all the options, and be prepared." The interlocutors went on to discuss the new paradigm of civilization that will usher in a peaceful future, and the consciousness and politics of responding to "collapse. "No one knows the future. We should learn from history and try not to repeat the same mistakes," he said, recalling the history surrounding the nuclear issue. The United States set out to develop nuclear weapons to win the war and dropped the atomic bomb on Japan in 1945. Realizing the dangers of nuclear power, the international community established the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to ensure the peaceful use and international co-management of nuclear energy. However, the number of countries with nuclear weapons has increased, and the emergence of AI-enabled nuclear weapons is on the horizon. "We could repeat the same history with AI. We need to ensure that the new technologies we develop for our own needs are not misused," he said. "Businesses, governments, and the international community must work together to find ways to ensure that the benefits are shared equitably by all." Prof. Bostrom explained the Fragile World Hypothesis, which proposes the establishment of international governance to keep humanity from entering a path of collapse. He likened humanity's invention of new technologies to taking a ball out of a jar. The jar contains black balls that could lead to the collapse of civilization, gray balls that could be a blessing or a disaster for humanity, such as artificial intelligence, and white balls that could benefit humanity. "If we pull the black ball, there is no turning back," says Prof. Nick Bostrom. Humanity will go to extinction. We need to respond with all our might to avoid going to a fragile world. We need strong surveillance and intervention, a surefire way to prevent civilization from collapsing." This year's PBF was held under the theme "Peace or Disintegration, Global Society at an Inflection Point". The event consisted of a World Peace Day ceremony, commemorative lectures, commemorative talks, and roundtables at Kyung Hee University's Peace Hall, which were broadcast live via webcast (pbf.khu.ac.kr). The photo shows the performance of "Je Veux Vivre" (I Want to Live) by the School of Music, which culminated the ceremony. "Be proactive in the era of transition by having a public conversation about what kind of future we want to build" Prof. Kim said "I agree that there should be a strong surveillance and control system in place. But unfortunately, it is difficult to find success stories in the real world. Boundaries and frameworks are the limiting factors in solving human social problems, and the existing realpolitik, with its pre-existing ideologies, systems, nations, and ethnicities, makes us lose hope. For this reason, Dr. Choue has been emphasizing a shift in consciousness and politics through 'transcendental engagement' and 'politics of transcendence,' please share your thoughts." Dr. Inwon Choue said, "In 2018, protests calling for action on climate change, sparked by 15-year-old Greta Thunberg, spread across the globe. As shown here, future generations are anxious about the future and distrustful of the established society. The existing generation, the existing society, and the existing politics should listen to the voices of the future generation and expand their horizons of thought. Earlier, we talked about extraterrestrial intelligent life, and this issue also calls for us to go beyond the horizon of 'given reality' and 'stereotypes' that we read." Public interest in extraterrestrial intelligence has been growing since 2010, when former U.S. President Barack Obama, former CIA Director John Brennan, former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe, and NASA Administrator Bill Nelson made a series of statements about the existence of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) that cannot be explained by the laws of physics. The interest was fueled by scientific findings from the James Webb Space Telescope, which was launched into space in December 2021. The James Webb Space Telescope is rewriting the history of the universe by revealing a universe that humans have never seen before. In July, the U.S. House of Representatives held a hearing on the UAP. There was testimony about the existence of UAPs that cannot be explained by the laws of physics on Earth, and about non-human biologicals that have been found with gases that are believed to have been created by extraterrestrial intelligence (NHI). "Sightings of UAPs, or what we used to call UFOs, have been reported around the world since the 1940s. Many of those who reported sightings were subject to ridicule and stigmatization. "The events surrounding the search for extraterrestrial intelligent life are controversial, but they also have profound implications for us," says Dr. Choue, who adds, "There are many things we don't know that we don't know about. It reminds us that it's time to open our eyes to the realm of the Unknown Unknowns, the things we don't even know we don't know." "It's time to open our minds to all possibilities," he said, "and it's important to solve problems in new ways of knowing, beyond the epistemology of modern thought, beyond the boundaries and reductive ways of thinking. We should strive to cultivate intellectual curiosity and expand our horizons of awareness in our personal lives and in our fields of study. We need to be open-minded and actively engage in the transition by discussing what the future holds for individuals, societies, nations, and the international community. Transcendental interventions, or the politics of transcendence, are based on this idea of "going beyond, transcending, and encompassing" our framed perceptions of reality to create open possibilities and a zone of empathy within us. It is about opening new horizons of hope against the possibility of collapse. This task may be the last remaining option for individuals, societies, nations, and the international community in these times," he concluded.  ** More information about the PBF event is available on the PBF homepage at http://pbf.khu.ac.kr.

Global Collaborative 2023 Summer School Held In-Person!

  Kyung Hee's flagship internationalization program attracts over 160 students from Korea and abroad A total of 14 courses in 3 tracks with world-renowned professors Kyung Hee University's flagship internationalization program, Global Collaborative 2023 (GC 2023), will be held from June 26 (Monday) to July 21 (Friday). Kyung Hee University kicked off the GC 2023 program with an entrance ceremony held at 11 a.m. on June 26 in B117, Cheongwoon Hall. The theme of GC 2023 is 'Humanity, Civilization & Global Governance: New Horizons for Future'. A total of 14 courses will be offered in three tracks, including △Global CSR & Sustainable Development△Peace & Global Governance △ Humanity & Civilization. More than 160 domestic and international students will meet at the Kyung Hee campus to share their perspectives through lectures and discussions. GC is a time for domestic and international students to meet on the Kyung Hee campus with lectures by world-renowned scholars. GC participants on a campus tour on Monday, June 26th. Lectures and Korean cultural programs on global issues and the world's response to solve them The 'Global CSR & Sustainable Development' track will address global crises and global responses to them. Lectures include the △ Climate Change: A Threat to Sustainable Future, △Building a Better World: UNESCO and the Practices of Global Citizenship, and △ESG and the Role of Business. Lecturers include Irina Bokova, Distinguished Professor at Humanitas College; Sangmin Nam, Executive Director of UNESCAP; Sukhyun Park, Director of the Sustainable Systems Research Institute; Chanwoo Kim, former Ambassador for Climate Change at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Oliver Williams, Professor at the University of Notre Dame. The 'Peace & Global Governance track' will feature lectures on △International Relations: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, △The United Nations and Global Challenges, △The Innovative Role of NGOs in Global Civil Society, △Tasks Ahead for Peace and Security in East Asia, △A Socio-Economic Perspective on Conflicts: Causes and Resolutions. Professors John Ikenberry of Princeton University; professor Joon Oh of Kyung Hee University; Liberato Bautista, Chair of CoNGO; Professor Ram Cnaan and Femida Handy of the University of Pennsylvania, among others. This track will cover the state of international politics, world order, the role of the United Nations and the war in Ukraine, and the role of NGOs. The 'Humanity & Civilization' track, which covers a wide range of topics including Korean culture, Korean language, and artificial intelligence, will feature lectures on △Global Appeal and Uniqueness of Korean Culture, △Korean LanguageⅠ-Ⅱ, △D.E.I (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) for Social Peace and Harmony, △ Artificial Intelligence and Humanities. The lectures will be given by Prof. Sarah Keith from Macquarie University and Prof. Irina Bokova, and Prof. Alfie Bown from University of London. The GC program is an opportunity for foreign students visiting Korea to experience Korean culture. In addition to lectures, the program offers programs to explore traditional culture and various scenic spots. From Tuesday, July 18 to Friday, July 21, students will visit Lotte World Tower, Icheon Yeongneung, Bongsunsa Temple, Hwaseong Haenggung Palace, and Suwon Hwaseong Fortress. GC is Kyung Hee's flagship international cooperation program. It was a follow-up to the academic exchange agreement between Kyung Hee University and the University of Pennsylvania in 2005 and was part of the University Collaborative for Excellence: Education, Research and Global Service project. The following year, in 2006, the program was expanded to include graduate students from domestic and overseas universities in addition to Kyung Hee University and the University of Pennsylvania. In 2006, the Penn-Kyung Hee Collaborative Summer Program was established, focusing on East Asia and global governance. Since 2008, it has been operating in its current form, and since 2013, it has expanded its theme to "Humanity, Civilization, and Global Governance. More information about the program is available on the GC homepage at http://summer.khu.ac.kr.

“Peace is more precious than triumph”

  The Symposium to Commemorate the 10th Anniversary of Miwon's Death, organized by Kyung Hee University as part of the Peace BAR Festival to Commemorate the 41st UN World Peace Day, was held on Wednesday, September 21 at the Peace Hall. Symposium to Commemorate the 10th Anniversary of Miwon's Passing, The Meaning of Peace Through Miwon's Philosophy At a time of civilizational transition, new light on the value of peace and the role of humans Kyung Hee University hosted the Peace BAR Festival-Miwon's 10th Anniversary Commemoration of the 41st United Nations International Day of Peace. Held at the Peace Hall on Wednesday, September 21, the United Nations' International Day of Peace, the event consisted of various programs on the meaning of the day and the implications of the philosophy of Dr. Miwon Young Seek Choue, founder of Kyung Hee University, for today's world. In the morning, the ceremony and the World Peace Day-World Peace Day-Miwon 10th Anniversary Dialogue were held, followed by the Miwon 10th Anniversary Symposium and the World Peace Day Roundtable in the afternoon. Ceremonies, talks revisit founder's philosophy to explore solutions to global problems The purpose of the day was to revisit the philosophy of Dr. Miwon Young Seek Choue, the founder of Kyung Hee University, and to identify and modernize its relevance to us today. The ceremony honored the founder's efforts to establish the International Day and Year of Peace and his philosophy. The centerpiece of the ceremony was a video essay, "The Responsibility of Peace in an Age of Transition," dedicated to the 10th anniversary of Miwon's passing. The video reflects on the founder's ideas and philosophy on peace between people, people and the world, and people and the planet, which he cultivated throughout his life. The video screening was followed by the unveiling of the anthology of Founder's speeches, "Raise Your Eyes to the Sky and See the Earth," and the performance of commemorative music. The commemorative music was a new arrangement of "Magnolia Flower," a song written by the founder. The song was written by the founder to instill dreams in students and was included in the "Cantata Kyung Hee's Four and a Half Centuries of Song" performed at Kyung Hee University's celebration in 1974. The commemorative conversation was hosted by Inwon Choue, President of Kyung Hee Institute, and moderated by Kibung Kwon, Dean of Kyung Hee University's Graduate School of Peace and Welfare. The conversation touched on the core of the founder's philosophy and discussed its lessons for Kyung Hee and human society today. The founder made peace and human flourishing his life's work. He built a philosophy of universalism, exploring universal norms and formulating ideas that encompassed the universe, humans, and civilization. With a holistic worldview, he dreamed of a global community in which human and planetary life lived together. The founder's philosophy provides a clue to the need for civilization transformation in the face of the complex problems facing humanity, such as the climate crisis, nuclear and war threats, inequality, hunger, and refugees. In the afternoon, a symposium commemorating the 10th anniversary of Miwon's passing was held to further explore the founder's philosophy. Dr. Shin Jin Sook, Professor of International and Regional Studies at Kyung Hee University, gave a presentation on the topic, and Dr. Song Jae-ryong, an expert member of the Kyung Hee Institute, moderated the discussion. Under the theme "Peace is more precious than improvement - the meaning of peace through Miwon's philosophy," Prof. Shin shed new light on the founder's philosophy from today's perspective and introduced his message to future generations. The title of the symposium, "Peace is More Precious than Improvement," is the title of a keynote speech delivered by the founder at the 6th General Assembly of the World Association of University Rectors in 1981. It was in this speech that he proposed the establishment of the International Day and Year of Peace. This sentence summarizes the historical practices and ideas of the Founder in the history of the global peace movement. Prior to the presentation, a message of remembrance on the 10th anniversary of the founder's death was sent by Irvin Laszlo, founder and president of The Club of Budapest, who had longstanding educational and academic ties to the founder. Mr. Laszlo said, "(The deceased) combined deep insight with a keen sense of reality. His achievements as an educator are a testament to his significant contributions to the education of young people not only in Korea but around the world," he said, reflecting on his long relationship with the founder. The founder and László shared a vision of world peace in ideology and practice, a bond that has led to mutual cooperation between Kyung Hee University, the László Institute, and the Budapest Club. The symposium to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Miwon's passing was themed "Peace is more precious than improvement - the meaning of peace through Miwon's philosophy," which sheds new light on the founder's philosophy from today's perspective and introduces a message for future generations. The key to solving the civilization crisis found in Miwon's philosophy, which sought to rebuild human society in the last century. The Cold War era, in which our founder's philosophy was born, was a "war atmosphere" society where the fear and dread of global nuclear war was real. It took the efforts and actions of countless people to bring about the collapse of the Cold War society and the transformation of the entire human social atmosphere into a "peace atmosphere. In order to create such a peaceful atmosphere, the founder also spread his vast peace ideas and carried out practical movements across ethnic and national boundaries. Although the Cold War has ended, human society is currently facing a greater crisis of civilizational extinction than in the past. From the climate crisis and global social unrest, to the environmental catastrophe caused by abundance, to the transformation of the earth's ecosystems and the extinction of countless species that have lived alongside humans, we are facing a greater civilizational crisis that cannot be solved by our current knowledge and institutions. This symposium was a forum for discussing the philosophy of the founder, who was a peace activist and thinker during the Cold War, to find clues to resolve the various civilizational and historical challenges facing human society today. The founder's peace ideas began with his questioning of the self-contradictory reality of civilization. Professor Shin explained that the founder's questions were, "Why do we live in wars even as civilization develops?" "Why are humans marginalized even as civilization develops?" and "Why is there no coherent philosophy in human society even as civilization develops? Prof. Shin emphasized that the founder constructed the core ideas of the philosophies of "juri generativity," "mastery generativity," and "totalization" in the process of rethinking the relationship between the universe and humans by pondering questions about the self-contradictions and anxieties of civilization. The latter refers to the three-way relationship between existence, phenomena, and reason. Prof. Shin found the essence of the founder's philosophy to be that "everything in the world lives in relationships, and while there is intensity and density in those relationships, they are horizontal connections." When we look at human society from the perspective of a cosmic network in which everything is interconnected, influencing and coexisting, we realize that humans cannot exist or live alone. This has implications for reflecting on human arrogance, which has led to civilizational crises, and for imagining a planet where humans and other life forms live together. Prof. Shin's explained that the founder wanted to "see life systems and human social systems together through a teleological lens," so that we can see that our existence and the world that sustains it, from microscopic systems to massive entities such as the climate, are all interconnected. All entities are globally connected from a transcendental perspective. In particular, Prof Shin said, it is worth noting the Founder's view of attention generation. The founder held the view that all existence and phenomenal changes in the universe act and function according to the laws of nature. However, at the same time, he saw the 'consciousness' of numerous entities such as organic and inorganic entities as drawing out the existence and change of phenomena of everything in the universe. The founder named it 'attention generation' because he found the principle of change and generation in the intervention and action of consciousness as well as reason. From the perspective of attention generation, humans are not the only conscious beings; plants, animals, and all entities in the universe have their own consciousness and will. The actual process of how Juri-Juri-Generative Theory works and functions within the principle of all-day change generation is the philosophy of transmission. Professor Shin sees transmutation as a fundamental factor in the all-day cosmic movement that the founder sought to explain. Everything in the universe, everything that happens, is formed and dispersed according to the infinite flow of cause and effect. The intertwined existence of all things with all things is called correlation, and the philosophy of Zen Buddhism describes the appearance and operation of this all-pervasive relationship. The specific working principle of the philosophy is explained by four main fundamental factors: time, space, return, and substance. According to Prof. Shin, the founder summarized the entire process of how these bodies relate to each other and interact within them as the concept of sublimation. In his view, the universal society, including plant society, animal society, and human society, is composed of a vast process of sublimation that cannot be fully grasped by human cognition. This is why Shin emphasized that the founder's philosophy of transcendence is an appropriate concept to explain the network of transformation and creation. Explaining the founder's holistic thinking, Dr. Shin said, "The perspective of holism seeks to see the life system and the human social system together. We can see that our existence and the world that sustains it, from microscopic systems to massive entities like the climate, are all interconnected." Miwon's Peace Thought and the Search for Meaning in the Present from a Holistic Perspective The symposium continued with a discussion on the meaning of peace as seen through the philosophy of transmission. According to Miwon's interpretation of the universe, all beings are horizontal and equal to each other because they exist in a single, all-encompassing relationship. This logic inevitably leads to another question. This logic inevitably leads to another question: what is the causality of this all-encompassing and vast network of transmission, and what is the role of humans within that network of causality? Professor Shin proposes to reintroduce and develop the founder's concept of peace based on the philosophy of transmigration that he was trying to establish. Professor Shin first discussed the essential orientation of 'difference and harmony' in the founder's concept of peace, which was constructed during the Cold War in pursuit of a peaceful atmosphere. Peace, which is the most beautiful order from the perspective of traditional Chinese culture, begins with the harmonization of differences. Peace cannot be reduced to "sameness," nor can it be a state of "equilibrium" in which all disparate differences are eliminated. The Founders propose a "peace code" as a pragmatic solution to realize peace without eliminating these differences. This means that humanity sets common values, norms, and goals and works to realize them. The founder emphasized that peace is not achieved by subjugating others. He explained that the concept of peace is not simply the realization of a fixed ideal, but a major concept that creates a consciousness revolution in human society under constantly changing historical circumstances. Prof. Shin further introduced the founder's theory of a civilized society, the Global Common Society, which is constructed within the philosophy of transmission without separating matter and spirit, and discussed why peace is an urgent call for humanity. Prof. Shin reiterated that the essential view of the Global Common Society from the perspective of transmission is that it aims for a society in which not only humans and cultures, but also nature itself and all non-human beings live intertwined. From this perspective, the world in which humans live is a system connected to the infinite life system of the planet Earth, and therefore humans are not the only ones who are part of the global community. Prof. Shin concluded his presentation by saying, "The path of peace imagined by the founder was a world of 'Oughtopia,' 'ought to be, ought to do,' and it was an expression of the founder's imagination and hope for a third way, not a utopia or a dystopia."   Prof. Shin's presentation was followed by a discussion with Dr. Jae Ryong Song. The discussion focused on the civilizational implications of the founder's philosophy for us in the midst of a global crisis, and the role and value of humans in civilization. How the founder's philosophy and peace ideas are the key to a global crisis The presentation was followed by a discussion with Dr. Jae-Ryong Song. "It was a time to enhance our understanding of Miwon's holistic thought system and transmission, and to understand the ideological and practical aspects of his peace ideas," said Dr. Song. "There is a part of Miwon's peace thought that presupposes acceptance of differences and differences. Usually, it is easy to think of political and sociological concepts such as the politics of recognition or the struggle for recognition, but his philosophy seems to go beyond these concepts." "In his thought, there are conflicts within harmony and harmony within conflicts. He also raised the topic of the civilizational implications of the founder's philosophy, which looked at the universe, human beings, and global society with holistic thinking, for today's crisis, and the true civilizational roles and values imposed on human beings derived from it. In response, Prof. Shin said, "Every living entity strives to maintain its life. It is only through change that life is maintained and lived," he said. "Even at the individual level, we can be given the absolute task of self-extinction. We, as a species, can be shocked, frustrated, and not end, and use that to drive new change across the board." "Furthermore, given that humans are both the creators of civilization and the catastrophizers of it, the role and value of humans is not being abandoned. Rather, they are given greater roles and responsibilities, which is what the philosophy of transmission explains." The symposium explored the founder's philosophy and peace ideas as a key to solving the global crisis we face today. These discussions reminded us that it is time for a shift in thinking that allows humans to accept other beings as equals and understand their perspectives as they belong to the entire universe.  ** More information about the PBF event is available on the PBF homepage at http://pbf.khu.ac.kr.

Global Collaborative 2022 Summer Program

    GC 2022 to be held June 27 - July 21, 2022 Non-contact online classes and in-person Korean cultural experience programs The Global Collaborative (GC) will resume in earnest. GC is Kyung Hee's flagship internationalization program. It is held every summer and is a time for domestic and international students to meet on Kyung Hee's campus. In 2020, it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and last year, it was scaled down and held online. This year, the program will focus on online classes and Korean cultural experiences. Participants can apply on the GC website until May 27 (Friday). The theme of GC 2022 is 'Global Civilization: Cultural Exchange, Global Citizenship, Pandemic'. The coronavirus pandemic has brought to the surface a range of issues facing our planet. Poverty and discrimination, conflict and war, and so on. The climate crisis is one of the biggest problems we face. To find solutions, the entire planet must come together. GC 2022 is an opportunity for students from different countries to share their views on global issues. Lectures by world-renowned scholars, international organization experts, and practitioners at Kyung Hee Lectures will be delivered by world-renowned scholars, international organization experts, and practitioners. Under the overall theme of GC 2022, a total of 14 lectures have been organized under the subtopics of △ Global Agenda and Action △Peace and Global Solidarity△Humanity and Global Civilization. These lectures provide an insight into the current state of global solidarity and action to solve global problems.   The Global Agenda and Action theme will feature four lectures, including "Sustainable Development: The Role of Business," presented by Professor Oliver F. Williams of the University of Notre Dame. The lecture will examine what sustainable development means and examples from the UNGC and the public and private sectors. It will explore how sustainable development can be realized. Professor Joff P. N. Bradley of Teikyo University, Professor Hsien-hao Sebastian Liao of National Taiwan University, and Professor Lee Taek Gwang of Kyung Hee University will team-teach "On Algorithmic Technology: Philosophy and the Control Society". Professor Robert N. Stavins of Harvard University and Professor Oh Hyungna of Kyung Hee University will teach "Climate Change and ESG Management". They will examine climate change, the climate crisis, and ESG management, including global initiatives such as the Paris Climate Agreement. Professor Peter Wadhams, University of Cambridge, will teach "The Polar Oceans, Climate Change and Climate Restoration," a course that will examine the impact of carbon dioxide removal on the polar oceans. Professor Wadhams will discuss the rationale behind the argument that removing carbon dioxide is the only way to save humanity from the climate crisis, and he will discuss the global scaling of these policies. The theme of GC 2022 is "Global Civilization: Cultural Exchange, Global Citizenship, Pandemic". Prof. Oh Joon of Kyung Hee University, a former UN Ambassador, has prepared a lecture titled "The United Nations and Global Issues:Understanding the Dynamics and Working of the UN System'. Practical knowledge sharing on Global Agenda and Action, Peace and Global Solidarity, Humanity and Global Civilization, etc. The ’Peace and Global Solidarity’ theme will feature five lectures. Prof. Oh Joon of Kyung Hee University, a former UN Ambassador, will present "The United Nations and Global Issues: Understanding the Dynamics and Working of the UN System'. The course provides an understanding of the role of the United Nations in international affairs and how the UN and the international community can work together. Professor John Ikenberry of Princeton University teaches International Relations: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow: Theory, History, and Policy Debates. A world-renowned scholar, Professor Ikenberry will provide a broad perspective on international politics and international relations. Prof Irina Bokova, former Director-General of UNESCO and Miwon distinguished professor, will present a lecture on "Understanding Gender Inequality" with Professor Hwanhee Park of Kyung Hee University. The lecture will examine gender inequalities that persist in various units such as family, school, and workplace, and advocate for a more equitable society for all. Liberto Bautista, Chair of The Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations (CoNGO), will present "Civil Society, Multilateralism and the Future: Issues that Matter and Shape the Future". He will share concepts and practices of civil society and non-governmental organizations, as well as examples of cooperation between their organizations and the international community. In the ‘Humanity and Global Civilization’ area, we have prepared lectures that will help you learn how to be an innovator as a global citizen and enhance your understanding of Korean culture and language. The first course, "Global Korean Pop Culture," is taught by Professor Sarah Keith of Macquarie University. This course examines the international development of Korean pop culture from a socio-cultural perspective. Professor Ram A. Cnaan of the University of Pennsylvania will teach Creativity and Innovation in NOGs: Understanding How to Become a Social Entrepreneur. The lecture will explore examples of innovation in nonprofit organizations to better understand how they strive for social change. Korean language, culture courses and cultural experience opportunities for international students Professor Jung Sup Kim of Kyung Hee University teaches two Korean language courses (Korean Language Level 1-2). For students who are learning Korean for the first time, Level 1 covers understanding and utilizing Hangul and Level 2 focuses on speaking. The course, "Understanding Korean Culture in the Context of East Asia," prepared by Prof. Hye Kyung Ji of Sungkyunkwan University, explores Korean culture through the religious cultures shared by the three East Asian countries of Korea, China, and Japan. It provides an opportunity to understand them through four broad frameworks: shamanism, Buddhism, sexuality, and Christianity. All courses are taught in English online through live and recorded lectures. For international students visiting Korea, we also organize a week-long Korean Culture Week event. The program includes tours of Seoul and the Seoul metropolitan area and opportunities to experience Korean pop culture. GC was first launched in 2005. It was a follow-up to an academic exchange agreement between Kyung Hee University and the University of Pennsylvania and part of the 'University Collaborative for Excellence: Education, Research and Global Service' project. In 2006, the Penn-Kyung Hee Collaborative Summer Program, which focuses on East Asia and global governance, was established for undergraduate students from domestic and international universities in addition to Kyung Hee and the University of Pennsylvania. Since 2008, it has been operating in its current form, and since 2013, it has expanded its theme to 'Humanity, Civilization, and Global Governance'. More information about the program is available on the GC homepage at http://summer.khu.ac.kr.

UN, International Organizations, and UNHRC Committee Internship Outcomes

As an academic and social institution, universities have a public responsibility to build a sustainable future. Kyung Hee University has established global and public partnerships with the international community and international organizations. In 2009, it founded the World Civic Forum, and in 2011, it co-hosted an international conference with The United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the International Day of Peace. Along with our practical work, we also work in education through the Global Citizenship Education (GCED) program at HUMANITAS College. Internship programs at the United Nations, international organizations, and the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) Advisory Committee are opportunities for Kyung Hee-trained students to gain practical experience. Last year, 11 students worked as interns for the United Nations Industrial Development Organization Investment and Technology Promotion Office Korea(UNIDO ITPO Korea), World Food Program(WFP), International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the Advisory Committee of the United Nations Human Rights Council. Students received scholarships while gaining experience for three to six months. Recruitment for the 2022 academic year is open until Tuesday, April 26. Around 10 undergraduate and graduate students in their second to fourth year will be selected, and they will be sent to various organizations for three to six months. For more information, visit the Future Civilization Institute website and apply online. (https://uninternship.khu.ac.kr/uninternship/user/main/view.do)   After the internship, Ha-young Park (Political Science and international Relations, '17) was offered a full-time position. At IOM, she works in the policy and communications department in charge of social media operations. The photo is an image from IOM's monthly newsletter created by Haeyoung Park. Source: International Organization for Migration Korea Representation Instagram. (https://www.instagram.com/p/CTocLOXPtH-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&img_index=1)   Interning at the United Nations and International Organizations Student Ha-young Park receives offer for full-time position Last year, Haeyoung Park (Political Science and International Relations '17), who participated in the United Nations and International Organizations internship, spent an unusual nine months working for the International Organization for Migration (IOM). After the first six months of her internship, she was asked to extend her stay and was later offered a full-time position. She was recognized for her outstanding work. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is an intergovernmental organization founded in 1951 that promotes the principle that "humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and societies. It was registered as a United Nations organization in 2016 and is now present in more than 100 countries, helping its 174 member states to improve migration management and promote safe, orderly, and regular migration for the benefit of all. The Korean Representation of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), where Ha-Young Park worked, was opened in 1999. It works with various government agencies, intergovernmental organizations, and civil society. Ha-Young Park worked in the organization's policy and communications department in charge of social media operations. She participated in all aspects of the communication process, including content planning and development, uploading, and analyzing, as well as translation. She covered timely topics such as UN anniversaries, news from the International Organization for Migration, and news from the Korean delegation. In her report on the results of her work, Park explained, "I created content that provides a realistic view of global and domestic trends on migration and migrants, rather than mechanically emphasizing only positive aspects.“   "Challenges that helped me materialize my dreams and organize my values in life" Student internships are a way to extend knowledge beyond the classroom and into society. "I was able to experience what I had experienced as a university student and how the theories I learned were applied in the real world," said Ha-young Park. "I witnessed how 'migration' is connected to all of our daily lives and society, and I realized the importance of the words we use to shape our thoughts and social atmosphere," she said. "I was able to materialize my dreams of 'working towards people' and 'working for someone's better tomorrow." Rather than a specific goal of joining an international organization, Park pursued values for a better future. When Prof. Oh Joon was working as a U.N. ambassador, his speech at the 2014 U.N. Security Council, where the North Korean situation was put on the agenda, resonated with him, and she enrolled in the Department of Political Science and international Relations. "I wanted to do something that would help people dream of a better tomorrow, regardless of their nationality, and be a part of that process," she said, explaining why she applied for the internship. "I chose the internship as a way to challenge myself during my college career, and the international organization was the one that made my dreams come true." The internship helped her realize her dreams. Through her internship, Ha-Young Park has been able to organize her values in life. Her abstract goals became clearer with words like "climate change," "communication," and "policy. "I can't say I've realized my dream yet. In the future, I will think about how to apply my values to the real world and study what I need," he said. "I thought I wanted to continue working at my current organization, but they offered me a full-time position at the end of my internship, so I stayed on. I am very grateful. I'm looking forward to staying on as an employee and achieving both institutional and personal goals.“ Kyung Hee University's internship with the UN Human Rights Council Advisory Committee is coordinated by Prof. Bum-seok Baek of the Department of International Studies. Last semester, a total of three students were selected to accompany him to the 27th session of the UN Human Rights Council Advisory Committee in Geneva, Switzerland. Pictured on the right are, from left, Jeong-seon Park (International Studies, '18), Ji-hoon Kim (English Language and Literature, '16), and Seo-young Kim (Political Science and international Relations, '19). Photo courtesy of the students: Seo-young Kim, Jung-seon Park. Professor Bum-seok Baek of the Department of International Studies, who is a consultant to the United Nations Human Rights Council. The Kyung Hee University UNHRC Advisory Committee Internship is an opportunity for participating students to understand the role of the United Nations and how the Human Rights Council operates. Last semester, a total of three students were selected. They joined the work of Prof. Buhm-Suk Baek of the Department of International Studies, who is a member of the UN Human Rights Council Advisory Committee. The Human Rights Council Advisory Committee is the Council's think tank. This year, the 27th session was held in Geneva, Switzerland, from Monday, February 21 to Friday, February 25, and Prof. Baek served as the rapporteur for the report on 'New Technologies and Human Rights'. Students participating in the internship prepared and presented a report on the impact of new technologies on the protection and promotion of human rights. Ji-hoon Kim(English Language and Literature, '16) participated in Prof. Baek presentation on "Research on Human Rights Risks of Technology Company Business Models. In his report, Kim said, "The internship gave me the opportunity to discuss and exchange opinions with the members of the advisory board despite being an undergraduate student. I had an experience that I couldn't have had anywhere else." "I am planning to go to graduate school, and I experienced research methods and how international organizations produce reports. It was also a privilege to witness top-notch research in my field. I feel much more confident about the future and plan to challenge myself in the field of international cooperation."