Gyeonggi Province to Promote Resident Self-Governance Activation Program...Education and Consulting Needs Survey Underway

Gyeonggi Province is implementing resident self-governance activation programs, including education and consulting, regional communication meetings, and performance-sharing events, to promote active resident self-governance.

Before launching the programs in the second half of the year, Gyeonggi Province will conduct a survey on the need for education and consulting among resident self-governance councils and resident self-governance committees within the province. The first round of the survey will run until June 30, and applications can be submitted through the resident self-governance activation program website (www.ggjm.kr).

The resident self-governance activation program was established in response to institutional changes following the revision of the Local Autonomy Act. Previously, the basis for establishing resident self-governance councils was set out in a separate law. However, with the recent transfer to the Local Autonomy Act, the pilot operation of resident self-governance councils has ended, and full implementation has begun, along with the establishment of administrative and financial support mechanisms from the national and local governments.

In response to these changes, Gyeonggi Province is expanding participation to include not only the general public but also young people, and is developing region-specific self-governance models through tailored education at varying levels. The province also plans to actively respond to the new era of resident self-governance by sharing conflict resolution cases.

Education and consulting are offered to resident self-governance councils or resident self-governance committees at the town, township, and neighborhood level, and applications are accepted if at least 15 people can participate. Each program will be held at least once and up to twice.

Main topics include understanding of the system, meeting management, agenda discovery, establishment of self-governance plans, setting of medium- and long-term strategies and performance indicators, development of self-reliant models, conflict management, as well as communication and meeting techniques.

Through the education and consulting needs survey, Gyeonggi Province plans to identify regional educational needs and promote customized support and the dissemination of best practices.

Regional communication meetings will be held once each in the northern and southern regions between September and October. The participants will include leaders of resident self-governance councils and committees in Gyeonggi Province, district chiefs, and residents interested in resident self-governance. Participants will form local networks and share outstanding cases from each town, township, and neighborhood.

The performance-sharing event will be held at Gyeonggi Provincial Government in November. The event will feature a provincial governor's commendation for achievements in resident self-governance, a resident self-governance communication talk show, and commemorative performances.

Kim Sangpal, Director of Local Autonomy Administration at Gyeonggi Province, stated, "Resident self-governance is the closest form of democracy, where residents discuss and solve issues in their daily lives together. We will support the stable settlement of resident self-governance through tailored education and consulting, as well as conflict management programs that reflect on-the-ground needs."