Pocheon, a City of Humanities and Lifelong Learning, Embracing the Future

Nation's First Lifelong Education Stream Established
Completing Pocheon-style Humanities + Lifelong Learning City
Opening a New Chapter for Pocheon-style Humanities City and Lifelong Learning City

Pocheon City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Baek Young-hyun) possesses characteristics where rural and urban areas coexist harmoniously, based on its rich natural environment, historical heritage, cultural traditions, and the capabilities of the local community. Additionally, with a military base located in the area, it has a unique social structure where young generations and local residents live together, holding the potential to create diverse and distinctive humanistic values.

Pocheon Humanities City Festa. Provided by Pocheon City

Since being selected as the first Humanities City in northern Gyeonggi by the Ministry of Education in 2023, Pocheon City has been promoting a Pocheon-style humanities + lifelong learning policy with the direction of “a dignified humanities city,” encouraging direct citizen participation.

A representative project is the Pocheon Humanities Academy. The Humanities Academy is a large-scale lecture series inviting notable figures, which from 2023 to 2024 attracted approximately 3,900 citizens cumulatively, receiving high praise and satisfaction.

Also, the Pocheon-style lifelong learning villages, recognized as exemplary cases by other cities and counties, expanded from 9 locations in 2023 to 13 in 2024, significantly increasing local residents’ participation in lifelong learning.

Lecture by Lee Ji-young. Provided by Pocheon City

Furthermore, efforts were made to discover “visiting education” programs tailored by life cycle and target groups to eliminate blind spots in lifelong learning. The Silver Academy for senior citizens at local senior centers expanded to 30 centers in 2024, and the newly launched Pocheon i Humanities School, targeting 36 classes in local elementary and middle schools, conducted visiting social-emotional competency enhancement programs.

Lifelong education for marginalized groups was also carefully considered. New funding was provided for on-site experience programs at two lifelong education facilities for people with disabilities, offering cultural experience opportunities at tourist attractions that were previously difficult to visit due to physical conditions. Additionally, an ordinance related to customized lifelong education programs for individuals with borderline intellectual functioning was enacted, expanding learning opportunities for marginalized groups.

Pocheon City plans to open the Taebong Lifelong Learning Center in Soheul-eup in 2025 and the Pocheon Lifelong Learning Center in Gachae-ri, Sinbuk-myeon in 2026. Both centers are located in central areas where more than 50% of Pocheon’s population resides, boasting excellent accessibility and convenience, raising expectations.

The lifelong learning centers are more than just learning spaces; they serve as venues for residents’ learning, communication, and growth. These spaces will act as important hubs connecting community development and personal achievement.

Pocheon Humanities Academy. Provided by Pocheon City

Moreover, considering Pocheon’s wide geographical characteristics, low population density, and high aging rate, a village-level lifelong education network called Humanities Hall is being established at 14 eup, myeon, and dong lifelong learning centers. Going forward, the city plans to focus more on expanding the “Visiting Pocheon-style Humanities + Lifelong Education Service” to provide learning opportunities to residents outside urban areas.

Pocheon City recognizes that specialized talent is essential for the smooth operation of lifelong learning centers and the “Visiting Pocheon-style Humanities + Lifelong Education Service.” Accordingly, it plans to create a lifelong education career track for the first time nationwide to recruit and train humanities + lifelong education experts. Through this, the city aims to design customized educational programs reflecting regional characteristics and realize a city that grows together with its citizens.

The city will enact related ordinances in 2025 and actively promote the necessity of establishing the lifelong education career track through forums and consultations with related organizations, making it a core pillar for creating a sustainable Pocheon City.

Pocheon-si Lifelong Learning Village Haksoop Concert. Provided by Pocheon-si

The essence of the humanities lies in deep understanding and reflection on humanity, enabling harmonious growth of individuals and communities. Pocheon City’s humanities + lifelong learning projects are expected to serve as a compass guiding citizens toward a happy life.

Mayor Baek Young-hyun of Pocheon City stated, “In 2025, the Year of Eulsa, Pocheon City plans to accelerate the Humanities City project. We will expand humanistic values into broader areas and focus on enriching the local community and residents’ lives.” He added, “We will continue to do our best to deeply integrate into citizens’ lives and practice everyday humanities.”

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