"Saemaul Is Essential in Resource-Rich but Struggling Central African Republic"... Professor Kerebi of Bangui University

Nine-member Delegation Visits Yeungnam University: Includes Public Officials, Professors, and Journalists

A training delegation from the Central African Republic visited Yeungnam University (President Choi Oechul) to learn about the Saemaul Undong movement.

From August 21 to 29, they participated in the "Africa Saemaul Undong Invitational Training" at Yeungnam University, a program lasting 8 nights and 9 days. The delegation included nine participants, such as officials from the Ministry of Agriculture of the Central African Republic, village leaders, university professors, and journalists.

The training group from the Central African Republic, who visited Yeungnam University to study Saemaul Studies, is taking a commemorative photo with President Choi Woichul (center).

This training program focused on strengthening the policy capacity of government officials and village residents from the participating country by educating them on the policy implications of the Saemaul Undong movement and sharing Korea’s development experience. The aim was to build a human resource foundation that would enable the effective dissemination of Saemaul Undong in the Central African Republic.

The participants attended a special lecture by Yeungnam University President Choi Oechul on "Saemaul Undong and the Role of Leaders," as well as various lectures related to Saemaul Studies, including the basic spirit of Saemaul Undong, Saemaul Undong and Korea’s rural development policies, Saemaul Undong and forestation, and the development of women’s human resources through the organization of village women. They also engaged in field trips and cultural experiences, visiting the Cheongdo Saemaul Undong Memorial Hall, Gyeongbuk Agricultural Technology Institute, Gyeongsan Market, Bukchon Hanok Village, Myeongdong, and Namdaemun Market.

Kerebi Henri Clotaire, a professor at the University of Bangui who participated in the training, stated, "Despite its abundant resources, the Central African Republic faces economic difficulties, so Korea’s development experience through Saemaul Undong is essential." He added, "I will do my best to utilize and disseminate the knowledge gained at Yeungnam University, which is leading the transfer of Saemaul Undong to the international community, so that it can benefit the Central African Republic."

Yeungnam University President Choi Oechul said, "I believe Korea’s development experience, especially Saemaul Undong, can serve as a model for poverty eradication, economic development, and national policy in Africa. In that sense, learning directly at Yeungnam University, which has systematized and academicized Korea’s experience and Saemaul Undong, is highly meaningful." He continued, "I hope that the application and utilization of Saemaul Studies and the Saemaul spirit learned through this training program will become the foundation for the development of the Central African Republic."

Meanwhile, the Institute for International Development Cooperation (IIDC) at Yeungnam University, which organized this training, provides short-term training on the theory and practice of Saemaul Undong and Saemaul Studies to developing countries. The IIDC aims to strengthen the policy capacity of officials and local leaders involved in rural and community development in participating countries, with the goal of promoting regional development, increasing farm household income, and improving the quality of life for residents. To date, the number of countries and trainees educated through these training programs has reached 3,300 people from 48 countries.

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