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Call for Participation

(International Applicants)

 4th International Youth Forum on

Historical Reconciliation

 9-13 August 2015 / Sookmyung Women’s University, Seoul, Korea

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 organizing the 4^th International Youth Forum on Historical Reconciliation.

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 historical conflicts among East Asian countries 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 successfully 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 2015, the 4^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 historical dialogue.

Objectives

–          To promote dialogue among the youth in relation to World War II and the postwar order through the sharing of their different viewpoints

–          To encourage the youth to share ideas on how to accomplish historical reconciliation via history textbooks

–          To enable the youth to mutually understand and collaborate to promote peace at the global, regional, and national levels

Date & Venue

–          9-13 August 2015 / Sookmyung Women’s 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)

–          Sookmyung Women’s University

Main Theme

–          History Textbooks and Shared Memories: World War II and the 70 Years After World War II  

ü  Sub-theme 1: Descriptions about World War II in Textbooks Worldwide

ü  Sub-theme 2: Formation and Publication of History Textbooks

ü  Sub-theme 3: The Role of Youth in the Creation of Joint History Textbooks and Shared Memories

Lectures

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

ü  An overseas lecturer (to be confirmed)

ü  Jaejeong Chung (Professor, University of Seoul, Republic of Korea)

ü  Samsung Lee (Professor, Hallym University, Republic of Korea)

ü  Yoonsoon Shin (Representative, Families of the Victims of Forced Conscription to Sakhalin, Republic of Korea)

Languages

–          10 August: Interpretation will be provided simultaneously in Korean and English.

–          9, 11-13 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 will 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 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 15 July 2015. (KNCU will notify the selected participants regarding its decision by 17 July 2015 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 28 July 2015. (Detailed information will be provided to selected participants.)

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

–          Participants are asked to bring a history textbook from their own country for the History Textbook Exhibition/Campaign Session.

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)