JEDDAH: The Saudi-Korean Youth Forum, which ran in Seoul from June 17-27, witnessed a successful participation of 26 Saudi university students and professionals. The Saudis and their Korean counterparts exchanged knowledge and strengthened relations between the two countries.
Arab News participated in the forum from the beginning, and now looks back at the event.
The forum began with a preparatory workshop, held at King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) in May, where the participants were briefed on the activities of the forum as well as the preparations for holding a dialogue between the Saudi and Korean youth delegations.
The focus and theme of the forum was on knowledge-based economy, e-education and advanced broadband Internet services.
The Saudi-Korean Youth Forum is the sixth in a series of forums that are conducted within the framework of the historic initiative Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah took to achieve world peace through promoting dialogue between followers of various religions and cultures.
In Seoul the youth delegation toured IT and communication facilities, academic and technological institutions, research centers and places of cultural and historical importance.
Saudi youths visited the Korean Ministry of Education Science & Technology where they explored knowledge based economy and e-education programs.
They next visited Samsung offices where they where they given visual demonstration of the company’s profile and history and also viewed all the new products.
After each event Saudi delegates held dialogue sessions with their Korean counterparts on educational, social and technological aspects of their visits.
At the Korean Educational Development Institute, the Saudi youths listened to a lecture by Hyeseung Maria Chang, a research fellow at the institute. Hyeseung said the education system in Korea was instrumental in developing the country into a knowledge and industry-based economy.
“Higher education and professional training receive every support from the government,” Hyeseung said. “We also provide intensive training to teachers to improve the quality of education. We have introduced advanced technology to the education system.”
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs initiated the program to promote Saudi youth relations with nations around the world.
Yusuf Al-Saadoun, undersecretary for economic and cultural affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said, “The mission is to support the development of economic, cultural and political relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the world and to invest in Saudi youth by giving them the opportunity to communicate with youth in other parts of the world, while spreading a positive image of the Kingdom.”
Al-Saadoun underscored the success of forums held earlier in various countries, including China, Brazil, Germany and India.
During the forum’s conclusion Saudi and Korean youths presented statements, one to King Abdullah and to South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, the other to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
The statements were given to strengthen bilateral cooperation in a knowledge-based economy, smart cities and e-education and make joint efforts to find solutions in scientific, educational, technological and economic matters.
Their statement to the UN chief said: “We are future leaders. Today’s youth are looking forward to the progress of knowledge economy, smart cities and electronic education and spread them all over the world. (…) We ask you to introduce e-education technology in schools and community centers throughout the world, especially in developing countries.”