As recent events have shown us, peace is not something that we should take for granted. On the contrary, it takes a constant effort from all sectors of society, government, and even multinational enterprises to achieve a sense of tranquility. Conflict between two countries now affects the international economy; climate issues will inevitably affect every single person in the world and pandemics across the globe reach even the most isolated places.

Motivating citizens into contributing to worthwhile causes is not an easy task, as the local NGO Global Inner Peace has tried to do the last couple of years. In cooperation with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), they have directed multiple projects in the field of development in Timor-Leste, Bhutan, and even here in Jeju. Their most recent enterprise was the ‘2023 Jeju Peace & Global Citizen Festival’, celebrated on the last 23rd of September.

This festivity was in honor of the International Peace Day – usually commemorated on the 21st of September – and was held in the Jeju International Peace Center. Attendees included international students from JNU, high school students from both public and international schools, and many different families, all eager to learn more about improving their social impacts.

Cultural exchanges are one of the most important ways to build peace. Therefore, as part of the program, different performances by the Bliss Children’s Choir, Borisoo Children's Choir, and the Jeju Withus Wind Orchestra were held. In addition to that, a lecture on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was given by Oh Jieun, the head of KOICA’s International Volunteer Recruitment Department, and another one on the global citizenship education program “Ubuntu” in Africa, was given by Heo Sungyoung, the founder of Africa Insight. Finally, students from high school all around Jeju Island made both booths explaining SDGs in detail and how to apply them in our daily lives, and guided tours in English around the Peace Center, an aspect that was just designed for this festival.

Participants left with a big impression on how important it was to become global citizens and live their lives as members of a great community, as highlighted by the “Ubuntu” philosophy on the lecture of Mr. Seo. This philosophy, rooted in African humanism, emphasizes the interconnectedness of all people. It promotes compassion, community, and mutual respect, underscoring the importance of recognizing our shared humanity and fostering a sense of responsibility towards one another. This philosophy aligns with the concept of global citizenship by encouraging individuals to transcend cultural and geographic boundaries, promote social justice, and engage in collaborative efforts to address global challenges, all while upholding the principles of empathy and unity among the world's diverse communities.