Home  Contemporary Issues Roads to human prosperity and coexistence: "Saemaeul Undong"
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Roads to human prosperity and coexistence: "Saemaeul Undong" |
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 Korean Leaders' Forum
with
Kim Kwan Yong
Governor of North Gyeongsang Province
Friday, May 9, 2008
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM ♦ Registration and Reception
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM ♦ Luncheon and Presentation
The Korea Society
950 Third Avenue, Eighth Floor, New York City
(Building entrance on SW corner of Third Avenue and 57th Street)
The event is free but RSVP is required. RSVP online here or contact Patrick Clair at (212) 759-7525, ext. 328 or email.
The Saemaeul Undong (New Village Movement) began in 1970 as a major state-run rural-development campaign under president Park Chung Hee. Kim Kwan Yong, Governor of North Gyeongsang Province, argues that the Saemaeul Undong "top-down" model for transforming the farming sector has relevance today for developing nations.
Several countries in Africa and Asia—most notably China and Vietnam—are exploring the South Korean model, which attempts to close the development gap between urban and rural areas, as well as create new domestic demand, by funding basic infrastructure in the countryside and setting up competition between farming villages’ various projects. About 40,000 public officials and farmers from over 160 countries have attended training courses at Saemaeul-related agencies and local government institutions.
Governor Kim will discuss the context of the movement and possibilities for adapting the program for other countries.
About the Speaker
Kim Kwan Yong is governor of North Gyeongsang province. Kim began his career in local politics, being elected as mayor of Gumi in 1995 and re-elected twice, in 1998 and 2002. Between mayoral terms, Kim led the National Association of Mayors, County Executives and District Executives and taught at Gumoh National University of Technology and Gumi College. He won North Gyeongsang’s gubernatorial election in 2006. Kim has been awarded the Excellence Award for Management of Local Government and the Grand Prix of Local Government Development. He holds a master’s degree in political science from the University of Yeungnam and an honorary doctorate of engineering from Kumho National University of Technology.
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