The Geumsa-hoedong-dong Administrative Welfare Center in Geumjeong-gu, Busan, announced that its local community welfare council (chaired by Bae Jae-seok) will launch the 'Culture Play' project from May to November as part of its 2025 'Future Generation Support Project' – a dong-specific initiative. This program aims to support multicultural exchange among children.
The 'Culture Play' project was developed in response to residents' growing need for enhanced understanding and acceptance of multiculturalism, particularly with South Korea's rapid transition into a multicultural society and the corresponding increase in multicultural future generations. Key collaborating organizations for this initiative include the Geumsa-hoedong-dong Community Welfare Council, Busan University of Foreign Studies, and the Geumjeong-gu Comprehensive Social Welfare Center. The program encompasses several core activities: world culture understanding education and activities linked with instructors from seven different countries, a 'Global Market Day' operation, a 'Global Mini Sports Day,' and the promotion of a 'Community Culture Festival Harmony Event.'
A significant highlight of the project began in May with activities focused on Korean culture. Members of the Geumsa-hoedong-dong Community Welfare Council directly participated as lead instructors, educating and engaging participants in traditional Korean culture, food, games, and music, fostering a deeper mutual understanding. This direct involvement by local community members underscores the project's grassroots commitment to inclusive integration.
"Moving beyond the unilateral approach of expecting multicultural children and families to simply adapt to Korean society, we will continue our efforts to create an environment where diverse cultures can coexist, and individuals can understand and adapt to each other, recognizing them as integral members of our society," stated Bae Jae-seok, the civilian chairman of the council.
Seo Kyung-bin, the head of Geumsa-hoedong-dong, added, "With the recent shift towards a multicultural society, recognizing multicultural children and families as essential members of our community is more crucial than ever. We will continue to spare no effort in supporting multicultural family members to fulfill their roles healthily within society."
This initiative in Geumsa-hoedong-dong aligns with broader national efforts in South Korea to embrace its evolving demographic landscape. As of 2024, the number of multicultural residents in South Korea has steadily increased, with a notable rise in multicultural youth. Educational programs promoting intercultural understanding are becoming increasingly vital to ensure social cohesion and prevent potential integration challenges. The 'Culture Play' project serves as a model for local communities to proactively foster an inclusive environment where cultural diversity is celebrated and understood from a young age. This type of grassroots effort is essential for building a truly harmonious multicultural society in the long term.
[Copyright (c) Global Economic Times. All Rights Reserved.]
