Cheonan – A significant step has been taken to improve the quality of life for young people in the Chungnam region and establish tailored youth policies. The Chungnam Institute (President Jeon Hee-kyung) and the Youth Foundation (Secretary-General Park Ju-hee) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the 23rd at the Cheonan Youth Center Anseo Ieum to activate joint research on local youth policies. This agreement aims to seek fundamental solutions to the difficulties faced by young people in an era of low birth rates and an aging society, and to advance customized youth support services in the region, drawing considerable attention.
Key Contents of the Agreement: Anticipating Broad Cooperation Across Youth Policy
Through this agreement, both organizations have agreed to cooperate closely in various areas, including: ▲ advancement of local youth policies, ▲ activation of youth research, ▲ development of local talent cultivation programs, ▲ enhancement of community youth support services, and ▲ utilization of inter-institutional infrastructure. This is interpreted as a concrete effort to strengthen policy support across all aspects of young people's lives, including employment, housing, education, and culture, and to promote their practical independence and growth. In particular, it is expected that the research capabilities of the Chungnam Institute and the Youth Foundation's know-how in youth support projects will combine to create synergy.
Chungnam Province's Current Status and Vision for Youth Policy: Focusing on Enhancing Effectiveness
At the signing ceremony, Chungnam Institute President Jeon Hee-kyung emphasized the effectiveness of Chungnam Province's current youth policies, citing key examples such as: △ (Employment) Youth Self-Reliant Smart Farms, △ (Housing) Chungnam-style Live Together, and △ (Promotion) Spreading Policy Beneficiaries through Eye-level Promotion. The Youth Self-Reliant Smart Farm project, in particular, aims to achieve two goals: revitalizing the rural economy and creating youth jobs by fostering young farmers. By introducing smart technology-based agricultural systems, it lowers initial entry barriers and establishes stable income bases, supporting young people in exploring new opportunities in the agricultural sector. Chungnam-style Live Together is a policy aimed at alleviating housing burdens and providing a stable living environment for young people. It contributes to housing stability for young people by offering affordable rents and linking various housing services. This policy is expected to be a welcome relief for young people in the Chungnam region, who have faced relatively poor housing conditions or limited choices compared to the metropolitan area. Furthermore, eye-level promotion is a customized communication strategy designed to effectively deliver information young people need, focusing on utilizing media frequently used by young people, such as SNS and youth communities, to enhance policy accessibility.
President Jeon expressed expectations that "the difficulties faced by young people in an era of low birth rates and an aging society are directly linked to the future growth engine of the Republic of Korea." She added that this agreement, including the joint hosting of a 'Youth Policy Forum (tentative name)', will inject significant vitality into the promotion of youth policies in the Chungnam region. This demonstrates an active willingness to not only formulate policies but also to directly listen to and reflect the voices of young people in policy-making.
Youth Foundation's Role and Vision: 10 Years of Accumulated Know-how and a Future Blueprint
Youth Foundation Secretary-General Park Ju-hee emphasized the foundation's decade-long support for the independence and growth of young people through youth support projects and policy assistance. The Youth Foundation has provided practical help to young people in various fields, including employment, entrepreneurship, housing, and psychological counseling, by operating customized support programs. In particular, it has made multifaceted efforts for youth independence, such as supporting youth activity spaces, operating mentoring programs, and providing financial counseling. Secretary-General Park stated that, building on this MOU, the foundation will "work together to develop Chungnam's youth policies and enable young talent to dream." She expressed a strong willingness to actively utilize the Youth Foundation's accumulated experience and expertise in the development of youth policies in the Chungnam region. The Youth Foundation is expected to contribute to deeply analyzing the characteristics and needs of young people in the Chungnam region through joint research with the Chungnam Institute and proposing more effective policies based on this analysis.
Chungnam Provincial Council's Interest and Role: Emphasizing Budget Efficiency and Policy Review
Ahn Jong-hyuk, Chairman of the Planning and Economy Committee of the Chungnam Provincial Council, pointed out that despite the Chungnam youth policy budget increasing to 455.7 billion won this year, an increase of 95.9 billion won from last year, the proportion of the budget directly allocated to youth support projects is still small. This statement underscores the importance of efficient execution of the youth policy budget and the widespread dissemination of policies that young people can actually feel. Chairman Ahn emphasized that the council will continuously monitor the progress of youth policies and propose improvements to ensure that policies are implemented appropriately when needed. The Chungnam Provincial Council, through its Special Committee on Youth Policy, is actively engaged in legislative activities, including the enactment and amendment of youth-related ordinances, budget deliberation, and policy proposals. It is anticipated that the council will continue more in-depth policy discussions in conjunction with this agreement. Such active interest and oversight from the provincial council are expected to contribute to enhancing the transparency and efficiency of Chungnam's youth policies.
Attendees of the Agreement Ceremony: Expecting Synergy from Broad Cooperation
Key stakeholders, including Kim Do-hoon, Member of the Planning and Economy Committee of the Chungnam Provincial Council; Baek Woon-seong, Head of the Research Planning Division at the Chungnam Institute; Park Chun-seop, Senior Researcher; Lee Sang-jun, Head of the Planning and Coordination Team; Lim Dae-hwan, Director of the Central Youth Support Center; Han Mi-soon, Head of the Youth Policy Division at Cheonan City; and Choi Jin-geun, Director of the Cheonan Youth Center, attended the signing ceremony to share ideas for mutual exchange and cooperation. This indicates that this agreement will serve as an opportunity to strengthen organic links not only between the two organizations but also among relevant departments and local youth support agencies. The gathering of experts and practitioners from various fields to discuss the current status and challenges of youth policy and to seek ways to achieve common goals will be an important foundation for positive changes in the lives of young people in the Chungnam region.
This MOU between the Chungnam Institute and the Youth Foundation is expected to open a new chapter for youth policies in the Chungnam region. Through joint research and cooperation, it is anticipated that they will listen more closely to the voices of young people, formulate policies that reflect their practical needs, and thereby contribute to creating an environment where young people can pursue their dreams and settle stably in Chungnam. Moving forward, it remains to be seen whether the synergy created by both organizations will become a solid stepping stone for a better future for Chungnam's youth.
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