계명대학교

  Background
We live in an era that is witness to ongoing tensions and conflicts among countries over historical issues, which tend to be amplified by each country’s domestic politics. This is a time for us to work together to settle historical discord and create an agreed view of history. As part of these efforts, the Korean National Commission for UNESCO (KNCU) is co-organizing the 5^th International Youth Forum on Historical Reconciliation with Hanyang University.
 
KNCU has committed itself to working towards a shared understanding of East Asia’s historical past for many years, beginning with the International Forum on History Textbooks in the 21st century, organized jointly with Germany in 1997. From 2007 to 2011, KNCU addressed and made efforts to solve the conflicts ongoing among East Asian countries in relation to history by holding an annual expert forum, the International Forum on Historical Reconciliation in East Asia, with the participation of renowned historians from China, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, and Korea. Since 2012, KNCU has organized the International Youth Forum on Historical Reconciliation with the aim of facilitating youth engagement on this issue, thereby contributing further to peace-building in East Asia.
 
In 2016, the 5^th International Youth Forum on Historical Reconciliation will discuss the ways in which we can overcome nationalistic or state-centric views of history, and the important roles that youth can play in countries’ cooperation and positive interactions in relation to common history. We encourage youth, students and young activists to participate in this opportunity to work towards sustainable peace through dialogue about history.
 
Objectives

• To promote dialogue among young people in relation to the history of cultural exchange through the sharing of their different viewpoints
• To encourage young people to share ideas on how to accomplish historical reconciliation
• To facilitate mutual understanding and collaboration among young people to promote peace at the global, regional, and national levels

 
 
Date & Venue

• 8-12 August 2016 / Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea

 
Participants

• 50 individuals between the ages of 18 and 30
• Priority will be given to individuals directly involved in historical reconciliation activities in their respective countries.
• Participants should be proficient in English in order to give presentations and partake in discussions.

 
Co-organizer

• Korean National Commission for UNESCO (KNCU)
• Hanyang University

 
Main Theme

• Historical Understanding for Overcoming Exclusive Nationalism in East Asia: a Focus on the History of Cultural Exchanges
  • Sub-theme 1: Understanding Cultural Exchanges in East Asian History
  • Sub-theme 2: How to Remember the Painful Past?
  • Sub-theme 3: Thinking Critically about One's National History and Building a Common Identity in East Asia

 
Lectures

• Open lectures will be provided by experts to give participants and the general public a basic outline of the themes to be considered during the forum

 
Languages

• 9 August: Interpretation will be provided simultaneously in Korean and English.
• 8, 10-12 August: English only

 
Financial Arrangements

• No participation fees are required. Food, accommodation, and local transportation during the forum will be provided. Please note that the participants will share dormitory accommodation during the forum.
• Traveling costs to and from the forum must be borne by individuals. (KNCU is only able to offer a limited number of scholarships to selected candidates from least developed countries or for speakers, in each case upon request.)

 
Application

• All applicants must complete the Application Form and return it to KNCU by e-mail to history@unesco.or.kr NO LATER THAN 28 June 2016. (KNCU will notify the selected participants of its decision by 1 July 2016 via E-mail.)

 
Certificate

• A certificate of attendance will be awarded by KNCU to participants who satisfactorily attend and participate for the duration of the forum.

 
Preparatory Work

• Participants are asked to submit an essay on each sub-theme. Based on the essays, participants will be giving a 5-10 minute presentation during the group discussion.
• Essays must be 700 words or LESS per sub-theme in English and sent via e-mail to history@unesco.or.kr by 20 July 2016. (Detailed information will be provided to the selected participants.)

• The essays should be original, and include discussion of: (1) the current situation and difficulties related to the given themes and (2) suggestions or recommendations from the youth perspective with regard to the themes.

 
Correspondence

• Contact: Division of Sciences

Korean National Commission for UNESCO
CPO Box 64, Seoul, Korea
Email: history@unesco.or.kr
Tel: 82-2-6958-4274, 4138
Fax: 82-2-6958-4252
 
 
Programme (Tentative)

Time		Content
08 Aug. (Mon)	-14:00	Arrival & Registration
	15:00-18:00	Orientation and Group Discussion
	18:00-19:00	Dinner
	19:00-21:00	Ice breaking
9 Aug. (Tue)	10:00-10:30	Opening Ceremony
	10:30-12:00	Keynote Lecture
	12:00-13:30	Lunch
	13:30-15:00	Lecture 1
	15:00-16:30	Lecture 2
	16:30-18:00	Lecture 3
	18:00-19:00	Dinner
	19:00-21:30	Group Discussion on Sub-theme 1
10 Aug. (Wed)	09:00-17:00	Field Study Trip
	17:00-18:00	Dinner
	18:00-21:30	Group Discussion on Sub-theme 1 & 2
11 Aug. (Thu)	09:00-12:30	Group Discussion on Sub-theme 2
	12:30-14:00	Lunch
	14:00-18:00	Group Discussion on Sub-theme 3
	18:00-19:30	Dinner
	19:30-21:00	Wrap-up and Preparation of Final Presentation
12 Aug. (Fri)	09:00-11:30	Final Presentation
	11:30-12:30	Closing Ceremony