KIM MOO JEON, Vice-Chairman of Youth Policy Committee of Democratic Party of Korea, attended the Belt and Road Women’s Forum and Youth Leadership Forum and delivered a speech
date：2024-01-02 13:59:01 hits：
The 5th Belt and Road Women’s Forum successfully convened in Sanya, Hainan from December 6-8. Co-hosted by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, and the UN Resident Coordinator Office in China, and jointly organized by the People’s Government of Sanya City, the China Friendship Foundation for Peace and Development, and the Secretariat of the Belt and Road Women’s Forum. On the morning of the 8th, the Belt and Road Women's Forum and Youth Leadership Forum was successfully held in Sanya Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City. KIM MOO JEON, Vice-Chairman of Youth Policy Committee of Democratic Party of Korea, attended the Belt and Road Women’s Forum and Youth Leadership Forum and delivered a speech.
Hello everyone, I am KIM MOO JEON, Vice-Chairman of Youth Policy Committee of Democratic Party of Korea.
Youth around the world represent the future of families and nations. Under social care and attention, young people should enjoy societal opportunities and grow. However, the reality is often challenging.
Many youths face economic difficulties due to issues like unemployment, low wages, and job instability. Youth poverty is a significant topic in South Korean society. According to a report by the Korean Youth Policy Institute, 40% of youth aged 19 to 34 have an annual income of less than 20 million Korean won, and 4 in 10 consider themselves subjectively impoverished.
South Korea's ‘Youth Happiness Index’ ranks last among 22 OECD countries. With a world-lowest birth rate of 0.78%, it is expected to fall to around 0.7% in the future. Many indicators about the life of the current generation of youth represent difficult situations rather than positive aspects. This is not only a trend in South Korean society but also a global trend. Youth poverty, unemployment, and NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) situations are characteristic of today's youth, worsening due to the ongoing international financial crisis and economic recession.
The natural developmental tasks of the youth generation - career preparation or emotional independence from parents - have become scenarios where they struggle alone or give up. Many countries, including Europe, have been seriously discussing youth policy targets or support scope. Recently, there has been a call for more diversified, long-term policies and approaches beyond the existing employment policy-oriented methods.
When we think of today’s youth, words or phrases like youth poverty, youth suicide, youth employment difficulties, increasing single youth households, informal jobs, unstable employment relationships, and poor living conditions dominate their world.
The reality is that youth do not receive the treatment they deserve, and their ideas are not reflected in policies. They grow up in uncertain lives and bleak futures. Lately, youth say it’s more convenient to eat at convenience stores. Frequenting convenience stores is not just for convenience and ease.
This is a responsibility for all of us. To provide more opportunities for the youth, a social environment should be created in every country. Additionally, rather than pessimistically shirking the responsibility for youth problems, we should create an environment for youth growth.
2023 marks the 10th anniversary of President Xi Jinping’s proposal of Belt and Road Initiative. On October 18, President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony of the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and delivered a keynote speech. He instructed, ‘Youth of all countries should promote the universal values of peace, justice, democracy, and freedom, actively advance the Global Development Initiative, contribute to fulfilling the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, and jointly write a new chapter of unity and cooperation among the youth of the world.’
Through forums like the Belt and Road Women’s Forum and the Youth Leadership Forum today, under the framework of the United Nations ‘Sustainable Development Agenda and 2030: United Nations Youth Strategy,’ we listen to the practical thoughts of the youth. Continuously holding forums where youth from various countries gather to seek solutions and resolve global youth issues through global cooperation.
Furthermore, we wish for meaningful forums like today to spread worldwide through the Belt and Road. Whether it's the nation, family, school, enterprise, or local autonomous organization, all should firmly recognize the issues.
The future of youth is the future and competitiveness of the nation.
The forum brought together over 400 participants. These included Li Xikui, Vice President of Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Cheng Hong, Vice President of All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, Chen Xi, Mayor of the People’s Government of Sanya City, Arya Ali, First Lady of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, and Michael Houghton, Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine, and ambassadors from Kyrgyzstan, Zambia, Maldives, Switzerland, Nepal, Guyana, Uganda, Mozambique, and various other countries.
2023 marks the tenth anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative. The forum focused on women's education, health, and growth, upholding the spirit of the Silk Road, and promoting inter-civilizational exchanges. It vigorously publicized China's achievements in advancing women's causes and promoting their comprehensive development in the new era. This forum significantly enhanced China's international discourse and influence in the fields of women and children, building a platform and bridge for women's exchange and communication among Belt and Road participating countries.
KIM MOO JEON, Vice-Chairman of Youth Policy Committee of Democratic Party of Korea, delivered a speech
Hello everyone, I am KIM MOO JEON, Vice-Chairman of Youth Policy Committee of Democratic Party of Korea.
Youth around the world represent the future of families and nations. Under social care and attention, young people should enjoy societal opportunities and grow. However, the reality is often challenging.
Many youths face economic difficulties due to issues like unemployment, low wages, and job instability. Youth poverty is a significant topic in South Korean society. According to a report by the Korean Youth Policy Institute, 40% of youth aged 19 to 34 have an annual income of less than 20 million Korean won, and 4 in 10 consider themselves subjectively impoverished.
South Korea's ‘Youth Happiness Index’ ranks last among 22 OECD countries. With a world-lowest birth rate of 0.78%, it is expected to fall to around 0.7% in the future. Many indicators about the life of the current generation of youth represent difficult situations rather than positive aspects. This is not only a trend in South Korean society but also a global trend. Youth poverty, unemployment, and NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) situations are characteristic of today's youth, worsening due to the ongoing international financial crisis and economic recession.
The natural developmental tasks of the youth generation - career preparation or emotional independence from parents - have become scenarios where they struggle alone or give up. Many countries, including Europe, have been seriously discussing youth policy targets or support scope. Recently, there has been a call for more diversified, long-term policies and approaches beyond the existing employment policy-oriented methods.
When we think of today’s youth, words or phrases like youth poverty, youth suicide, youth employment difficulties, increasing single youth households, informal jobs, unstable employment relationships, and poor living conditions dominate their world.
The reality is that youth do not receive the treatment they deserve, and their ideas are not reflected in policies. They grow up in uncertain lives and bleak futures. Lately, youth say it’s more convenient to eat at convenience stores. Frequenting convenience stores is not just for convenience and ease.
This is a responsibility for all of us. To provide more opportunities for the youth, a social environment should be created in every country. Additionally, rather than pessimistically shirking the responsibility for youth problems, we should create an environment for youth growth.
2023 marks the 10th anniversary of President Xi Jinping’s proposal of Belt and Road Initiative. On October 18, President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony of the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and delivered a keynote speech. He instructed, ‘Youth of all countries should promote the universal values of peace, justice, democracy, and freedom, actively advance the Global Development Initiative, contribute to fulfilling the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, and jointly write a new chapter of unity and cooperation among the youth of the world.’
Through forums like the Belt and Road Women’s Forum and the Youth Leadership Forum today, under the framework of the United Nations ‘Sustainable Development Agenda and 2030: United Nations Youth Strategy,’ we listen to the practical thoughts of the youth. Continuously holding forums where youth from various countries gather to seek solutions and resolve global youth issues through global cooperation.
Furthermore, we wish for meaningful forums like today to spread worldwide through the Belt and Road. Whether it's the nation, family, school, enterprise, or local autonomous organization, all should firmly recognize the issues.
The future of youth is the future and competitiveness of the nation.
The forum brought together over 400 participants. These included Li Xikui, Vice President of Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Cheng Hong, Vice President of All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, Chen Xi, Mayor of the People’s Government of Sanya City, Arya Ali, First Lady of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, and Michael Houghton, Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine, and ambassadors from Kyrgyzstan, Zambia, Maldives, Switzerland, Nepal, Guyana, Uganda, Mozambique, and various other countries.
2023 marks the tenth anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative. The forum focused on women's education, health, and growth, upholding the spirit of the Silk Road, and promoting inter-civilizational exchanges. It vigorously publicized China's achievements in advancing women's causes and promoting their comprehensive development in the new era. This forum significantly enhanced China's international discourse and influence in the fields of women and children, building a platform and bridge for women's exchange and communication among Belt and Road participating countries.