■ Institute of Chinese Studies holds the 2022 Fall Academic Conference in celebration of the 30th anniversary of Korea-China diplomatic ties

On September 24, 2022 (Saturday), HUFS Institute of Chinese Studies (Director Kim Hyun-Joo) hosted its 2022 Fall Academic Conference at the Lecture Hall on the 2nd floor of the Faculty Office Building. Held under the title “30th Anniversary of Korea-China Diplomatic Relations – Why Is It Called Cultural Process?,” the Conference offered presentations and a general discussion on the history and cultural exchange of the two nations.

Scholars at the Conference highlighted the difference between the two countries in their general notion and concept of ‘cultural process’ and shared views and opinions on how to understand each other and seek a constructive way forward. In particular, they called for the correct understanding and interpretation of ‘工程 (process),’ the term used by China, and talked about the possibilities of sharing a new joint space of culture through the exchange of cultural contents.

■ Institute of EU Studies cohosts the 2022 GSTC Asia-Pacific Sustainable Tourism Conference

HUFS Institute of EU Studies (Director Kim Bong-Chul) cohosted the 2022 Global Sustainable Tourism Council (SGTC) Asia-Pacific Sustainable Tourism Conference with Jeollabuk-do, Saemangeum Development and Investment Agency, and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council from September 15 (Thursday) to 17 (Saturday), 2022. The Conference was held under the theme “Re-Thinking Tourism in Cities and Nature.” On the sidelines of the Conference, the Wonders in Tourism & Heritage (WITH) forum was held to discuss sustainable tourism in Saemangeum and the Asia-Pacific region in addition to other cultural tourism diplomacy forums. The WITH forum is an international event to discuss future directions for the efficient management and wise use of national heritage.

On the first day, the Conference featured two sessions of roundtable discussions on the topic “Global Sustainable Cultural Tourism Diplomacy Forum.” 

On the second day, discussions were held on the following topics: the EU’s major CO2 emissions reduction policies, European Arctic countries’ road and transport challenges, and the possibilities for cooperation between Korea and South American countries in the Antarctic region.   

Overall, the 2022 GSTC Asia-Pacific Sustainable Tourism Conference on “Re-Thinking Tourism in Cities and Nature” served as a platform for discussion on future directions in the efficient management and wise use of world heritage, biosphere reserves under the intergovernmental Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme, national parks, and other national heritage. The Global Sustainable Tourism Council plans to make this exchange and knowledge-sharing of outstanding sustainable tourism policies between international organizations and groups and local governments a regular event and gradually expand its international network going forward.

■ HK+ Project Team of the Center for International Area Studies Research joins a forum on UN Security Council Reform

The HK+ Project Team (Director Kang Jun-Young) of HUFS Center for International Area Studies Research joined a forum entitled “United Nations Security Council Reform: A New Approach to Reconstructing the International Order.” The forum was held at Salon 123, JW Marriot Seoul, on September 6, 2022 (Tuesday). Under the sponsorship of the External Relations Department of the Office of President of the Republic of Turkey, the HUFS HK+ Project Team joined the event as a cohost.

Emphasizing the importance of multilateralism and international cooperation, the Republic of Turkey has been calling for the reform of the United Nations, especially the permanent members of the Security Council, under the motto “The World is Bigger Than Five.” So far, this forum has been held in the U.K., France, Spain, Russia, and Germany. After the forum in Korea, it will be held in Japan, the Republic of South Africa, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden. 

During the forum, Dr. Gök reiterated, stressing the motto, the need to reform the UN Security Council, in which the five permanent members of the United States, China, the U.K., France, and Russia exercise veto power.

 

■ SEMIOSIS Research Center holds the 3rd BTS Global Interdisciplinary Conference

HUFS SEMIOSIS Research Center (Director Suh Jong-Seok) held the 3rd BTS Global Interdisciplinary Conference jointly with the International Society for BTS Studies at the Cyber Education Building and Aekyung Hall from July 14 (Thursday) to 16 (Saturday), 2022. The theme of the joint conference was “Post-Pandemic Era, Welcome to the New Humanity.”

The Conference began with congratulatory remarks by HUFS President Park Jeong-Woon, which were followed by keynote lectures, focus sessions, and a special interview with Paulo Coelho. The event was an overwhelming success, featuring 165 presenters from 25 countries. 

The 3rd BTS Global Interdisciplinary Conference came to end after three days of exploring and proposing the “New Humanity” brought in part by the ongoing global crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under the theme “Post-Pandemic Era, Welcome to the New Humanity,” the event served as an interdisciplinary forum for using BTS and its fanbase Army to interpret numerous social, cultural, and political changes from an academic perspective.