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Special Report |
LAST UPDATE February 2, 2008
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| January 6, 2008 |
The Peace and Green Scholars: How We Will Change the World |
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| The Korean scholars who had an intense time onboard Peace Boat trying to change the world |
For the entire duration of the 59th Global Voyage, Peace Boat, in collaboration with the South Korean Green Foundation, an organization which focuses on peace, environmental and cultural issues, hosted five South Korean university students and one intern as part of the Peace and Green Scholarship programme. As their intense onboard and in port program, which focused on environmental, conflict and human rights issues, came to a close they presented what they had learnt over the past three and a half months. |
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| Choi Hui Kyung, dressed in a traditional Korean hanbok, feels strongly about environmental issues |
Living with the Planet
Scholar Choi Hui Kyung believes in the notion that ‘If you don’t change the way you live, nothing changes.’ She spoke of food and was particularly inspired by the slow food movement which was introduced onboard. In terms of cooking, she said that ‘I like the idea of making food with your heart and soul – you need to think about what ingredients you’re going to use and think about the people you are going to cook for.’ She also mentioned that in South Korea, the wellbeing movement is becoming very popular, and when she returns there she would like to become involved with her local community’s organic food association. |
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| Ko Chang Woo plants a small tree as part of an ecology program in Sydney, Australia |
Ko Chang Woo focused on the effects of globalization and fair trade. He believes that globalization has many negative effects in terms of human rights and the environment, and used the example of female factory workers to illustrate this. ‘They work very hard for long hours – their bodies are destroyed, and the environment is also destroyed by waste from the factory,’ he said. He relayed this back to his own country. ‘Although South Korea is a developed, global nation, it was forced to sign the free trade agreement because the United States is so powerful,’ he explained. Because South Korea has to import 100 percent of its coffee, Mr Ko wants to promote fair trade coffee and other products when he returns. ‘As a consumer, it’s important to realize that we can have an influence on the things we’re buying,’ he asserted. |
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| Nam Jimin (center) brought to many participants’ attention the tragedy of Korean women who were used as sex slaves by the Japanese government during World War II. Despite all evidence to the contrary, the government refuses to admit its role and issue a formal apology |
Living with History
Scholar Nam Jimin, who has been very active onboard in raising awareness about sex slaves used by the Japanese military during World War II, was reminded of this issue when she visited the port of Rabaul in Papua New Guinea where sex slaves were stationed during the war. ‘It was very hard for me to think of them when I visited Rabaul,’ she said. She is adamant she will join in the weekly protests in front of the Japanese embassy in Seoul to demand an official apology from the Japanese government for this crime. Ms Nam was also deeply affected by the Zainichi (Korean residents in Japan) issue when she spent time with guest educator and world champion entertainer Kim Chang Haeng, who is a third generation Zainichi. She learnt about the ongoing discrimination they face from all levels of society. ‘There are 3 million people like that. We were really shocked to learn about this issue,’ she said. |
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Shin Suwon (center) will continue to study about war and peace and raise awareness about Article 9 when she returns to South Korea |
Shin Suwon spoke about war and peace. She is saddened by how the South Korean government has recently extended the time for compulsory military service. ‘South Korea and North Korea are still in a state of ceasefire, so if the war starts again, all South Korean men will be at war,’ she said. This made her think seriously about Article 9, the anti-war clause of the Japanese constitution. ‘I think it’s a beautiful constitution – if all countries adopted this, we could build a peaceful world. Costa Rica denounced its weapons. If South Korea and North Korea had a constitution like Article 9 they could build a peaceful country like Costa Rica,’ she said. She vowed to continue raising awareness about Article 9. |
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| The scholars proudly represented Korean culture at Peace Boat’s Global Festival held onboard |
Reflections on a Life Changing Journey
Ms Nam’s time onboard Peace Boat made her reconsider her own views and prejudices. ‘I realized that I had stereotypical ideas about Japanese, but I met many who where very open minded in relation to South Korea, so I think the future of the two countries will be bright.’ The highlight for Ms Choi was the interaction with people. ‘The best thing was meeting really wonderful people all over the world, as well as the other scholars, the guest educators and participants onboard Peace Boat. I also learnt a lot from Peace Boat and about how Japanese are working on peace and environment issues.’ |
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Along with their coordinator Cho Jinhye, the scholars stood in protest at a press conference in Sydney, Australia. They voiced their concern about the Japanese whaling program and global warming to the Australian media |
Mr Ko was reflective about his time onboard, which made him think more about issues in South Korea. ‘Although I’m very far away from home, this voyage has made me think about South Korea in terms of problems, politics, the environment and international relations. I decided when I go back, I should do something to improve these issues. Ms Shin’s time was rewarding. ‘The things I gained were: weight, experience, good friends and good memories. The things I have to learn more about are the world and people,’ she said. |
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| Chung Heejung (left) had a life-changing journey onboard Peace Boat |
Intern Chung Heejung had a profoundly transformative time onboard. ‘On Peace Boat, I could put myself in others’ place, so I cried a lot. I also feel that I can change my own life. Before I got on Peace Boat, I worked as a journalist for ten years. I quit my job to come here and now I know how to live my life better. After this voyage, I will work for peace, environmental issues and human rights issues which I feel very strongly about. Now as foreigners, we have to be fingerprinted when we enter Japan. We will be treated like criminals and this is a violation of human rights and the personal right to privacy. I will protest this,’ she said. |
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The scholars, along with their coordinator and a Zainichi participant, breathe a collective sigh of relief as they finish their final presentation |
Coordinator of the Peace and Green Scholarship Program, Cho Jinhye was proud of the efforts the scholars made. ‘This is the first such project between the Green Foundation and Peace Boat. Of course, it was difficult to make the project work. But, we cooperated and overcame those obstacles. Now they understand, and I realized this myself again, that we have the power to change the world, our society and ourselves. So, I can say our project was a success.’ |
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