Seoul City's 'Hope Humanities' Program Revived After 10 Years, 303 Participants Including Homeless Graduated

Oh Se-hoon Attends Seoul City University '2022 Humanities of Hope' Advanced Course Completion Ceremony
Introduction of Basic + Advanced Courses... 79% Completion Rate Among 384 Participants

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The "Humanities of Hope," returning after 10 years, has produced its first graduates.

On the 25th, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that 303 homeless people and low-income citizens completed the approximately four-month "Humanities of Hope" program and received certificates. The graduation ceremony held at the University of Seoul was attended by Mayor Oh and 84 graduates who completed the advanced course this year.

"Humanities of Hope" is a program designed to help vulnerable groups in our society, such as the homeless and low-income individuals, regain self-esteem and foster the will for independence through new perspectives on the world and self-reflection, enabling them to plan a new life.

Seoul restarted the "Humanities of Hope" program in May after 10 years. With the cooperation of the University of Seoul, it was implemented in a mixed format of "basic course (facilities) + advanced course (university)." Basic education is provided at homeless shelters, and those who complete the basic course attend the advanced course at the University of Seoul. A total of 384 people participated, with 303 completing the educational program.

The curriculum was developed based on a needs survey targeting actual participants such as homeless individuals in facilities. The basic course focused on humanities education including philosophy, writing, literature, and history, and included experiential learning and special lectures (arts and health) to provide diverse experiences. Advanced course students also had opportunities to reflect on their lives by becoming the main characters through improvisational theater.

Outstanding graduates will have the opportunity to participate as assistant instructors in next year’s "Humanities of Hope." Seoul plans to provide motivation for independence by granting all graduates priority eligibility for next year’s public job participation projects for the homeless.

The graduation ceremony held at the University of Seoul was attended by Mayor Oh and 84 graduates. Mayor Oh said, "I hope the Humanities of Hope program has become a catalyst that springs forth hope, independence, and the will for self-reliance in your hearts," adding, "Seoul will continue to do its best to create a ‘Special City for Accompanying the Vulnerable’ that warmly embraces marginalized neighbors and moves forward together."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.