Over 2,000 childcare professionals and attendees gather to build a foundation of on-site empathy and solidarity. Key events include awards for meritorious childcare contributors, a daycare center promotional contest, and a healing concert.

Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province announced that it held the "24th Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province Childcare Workers' Harmony Festival" on the 24th at the Woosuk University Indoor Gymnasium, drawing approximately 2,000 childcare staff members and related personnel from across the province.

Hosted by the Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province Daycare Association (President Woo Won-kyung), the event brought together numerous distinguished guests—including Jeonbuk Governor Lee Won-taek, Wanju County Mayor Yoo Hee-tae, National Assembly Members Ahn Ho-young, Lee Sung-yoon, Park Jie-won, and Cho Bae-sook, Jeonbuk State Assembly Agriculture, Welfare and Environment Committee Chairman Kwon Yo-an and other provincial lawmakers, and Wanju County Council Chairman Sung Joong-ki—alongside childcare staff from the 14 cities and counties within the province.

The event was organized to honor the dedication of teachers and staff working tirelessly on the front lines of childcare, as well as to enhance the quality of childcare through cooperation and information sharing among childcare institutions.

The Part 1 commemorative ceremony commenced with a pre-event performance by the Woosuk University Taekwondo Demonstration Team, followed by commendations for meritorious childcare contributors, an awards ceremony for the daycare promotional video and poster contest, a reading of the childcare workers' resolution, and a harmony-pledge performance.

Part 2 featured a healing concert with performing musicians, offering a much-needed time of refreshment and recharge for the childcare staff. Following the main events, a Wanju cultural exploration program was also held.

Notably, this year marked the inaugural daycare promotional video and poster contest, which saw participation from 58 daycare centers with 6 centers winning awards. Mijaung Hana Daycare Center in Gunsan and Neulpurun Daycare Center in Jeonju won the Grand Prizes in the video and poster categories, respectively. The winning entries will be utilized as promotional materials for daycare centers across the province.

Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province has continuously strived to ease parents' childcare burdens and strengthen the childcare infrastructure by expanding free childcare tailored to Jeonbuk, supporting childcare staff, and reinforcing care in vulnerable areas. The province plans to continue creating a childcare environment where children, parents, and childcare workers can all thrive together by actively listening to voices from the field.

Woo Won-kyung, President of the Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province Daycare Association, stated, "This festival was a deeply meaningful occasion where childcare professionals from across the province gathered in one place to encourage one another and share their hearts. We will continue to unite the voices of our childcare community to build a joyful environment where children can grow up happy."

Jeonbuk Governor Lee Won-taek remarked, "Childcare is a vital foundation for the healthy growth and happy future of our children. Amid a changing childcare environment, we will listen closely to the voices on the ground and work together to build a safe, reassuring environment where parents have peace of mind and children are happy."

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]