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| From left, KIS director Michelle Quirin, student Je-young, U.S. Ambassador to Korea Philip Goldberg, student Lily and KIS Headmaster Min Sun-shik pose during the school's Human Rights Week 2023 at its Pangyo Campus in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, April 7. Courtesy of Korea International School |
By Kang Seung-woo
Korea International School (KIS) held an event to mark Human Rights Week (HRW) last week, highlighting the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and featuring expert guest speakers who addressed current global issues. The annual event took place from April 3 to 7 at KIS Pangyo Campus in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province.
HRW is organized by the Korea Human Rights Initiative (KHRI), a group of high school students who work yearlong to raise awareness and encourage action on important issues such as peace and justice, LGBTQ rights, gender equality and environmental sustainability.
KIS requested for participating students who gave comments to be identified only by their first names.
A KIS student and KHRI member named Je-young said he believes that events in the news are not so distant from human rights needs in Korea.
Guest speakers included a KIS high school social studies teacher who shared his experience growing up in Northern Ireland, and a person whose own experiences growing up as a sexual minority now inform his insights on how to best support the mental health of all LGBTQ youth.
Personal stories inspire empathy
An empathic connection to an issue often prompts a compassionate response. "One of our goals was to platform stories students could relate to," said Jenny, a KHRI member.
Agreeing that stories are powerful, Joseph, another KHRI member, said, "As global citizens, we need to be aware of issues that may not directly impact us."
Each HRW session closed with a discussion among student attendees, many of whom were glad for the chance to learn more about the U.N. SDGs topics covered. Students were also eager to take positive action.
"Get involved in service clubs," Lily, a KHRI member, said to encourage her peers. She also noted that KIS teachers work with students to develop sustainable service initiatives.
To conclude this year's HRW event, U.S. Ambassador to Korea Philip Goldberg delivered a speech to the high school students.
Ambassador Goldberg is a distinguished diplomat who has served in many countries around the world. His message to the KIS high school students emphasized the value of being a global citizen through awareness and action on human rights issues including education, health and clean water.
The ambassador also highlighted the relationship between the United States and Korea, as both countries work to address the climate crisis through carbon neutrality.
One key point that resonated with KIS students was Goldberg's acknowledgment of individual and collective responsibility to advance human rights.
"You all play a crucial role in advancing human rights," Goldberg said. "Movements to end poverty, to fight against climate change, defend LGBTQ+ rights and promote gender equality rely on the dedication and creativity of young leaders like you who envision a better world."
In closing, Goldberg acknowledged that many students in attendance would one day live outside of Korea. Events like HRW give KIS students the opportunity to think about the needs of their own community and the wider world they will one day engage with.
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