▲ The Q&A session is taking place during the second session of the talk concert

On October 28, the ‘Communication Playlist with Youth’ talk concert, held at CWNU Insong Hall in the main headquarters of CWNU, concluded successfully. The event, which was attended by President Park Min- won, Gyeongnam Governor Park Wan- su, and students, consisted of a general meeting, and was organized to listen directly to the voices of young people, effectively formulate necessary policies, and provide substantial support to our community’s youth.

The talk concert was divided into two main sessions. The first session, titled, ‘Start the Playlist- Playing Youth Dreams with Leaders: Building My Dreams, Our Future Together,’ featured discussions where young people from the Gyeongnam region shared their diverse visions and goals. Presentations covered a range of topics, including the integration of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) infrastructure in Gyeongnam with AI research for fostering lab- based startups, and exploring future industrial possibilities through the convergence of smart manufacturing and nanotechnology. The second session, titled, ‘Close- up Playlist- Talk Closer on Dreams and Visions: Shaping Gyeongnam’s Future Made by Us,’ featured an open discussion with Governor Park Wan- su and President Park Min- won, who engaged with students on future visions and youth policies. Through a candid Q&A, students shared their practical concerns and aspirations as young people, exchanging diverse ideas on regional development and initiatives to support youth retention in the region.

To gain a deeper understanding of the experiences of students who attended the talk concert, we conducted an interview with one of the participants.

Q. Could you please introduce yourself?

Kim: Hello, I’m Kim Ga- eun, a sophomore in the Department of Special Education at CWNU.

Q. Was there any advice shared at the event that particularly motivated or inspired you?

Kim: I resonated with the message about never fearing failure and viewing it as a valuable asset while starting with small challenges. It inspired me to face unfamiliar and intimidating situations with confidence throughout my university life.

Q. Is there a topic discussed at the event that you would like to apply to your future career or personal goals?

Kim: I have a goal of purchasing my own home after securing a job. Among the various youth policies discussed, I was particularly impressed by the housing- related policies, such as monthly rent support and interest assistance programs for young adults. I plan to look into these options carefully and use them to help make my dream of stable homeownership in the community a reality.

Q. What kind of support do you think is needed for young people to take on more roles in the local community?

Kim: As mentioned during the Q&A session, I believe there should be more international exchange opportunities provided by both Gyeongnam and universities. During a short- term language study program in the U.S. this past summer, supported by the Gyeongnam Scholarship Foundation, I had the chance to experience the advancement in science and technology and the local culture. It would be great if such opportunities were expanded, allowing university students in Gyeongnam to explore local companies and gain internship experience, helping them develop a broader perspective and be better prepared to enter society.

Q. Do you have any suggestions for how Gyeongnam and CWNU can further support youth in the future?

Kim: When I look at my friends, many of them are uncertain about whether the path they are taking is the right one, even while preparing for employment. I think it would be beneficial if Gyeongnam could support more youth internship programs in various industries within the region or create more job preparation programs. This would help young people explore their career paths from a broader perspective during their job search.

This talk concert holds significant meaning as it provided an opportunity for local students and leaders to communicate, explore new ideas, and lay a crucial foundation for regional development. President Park Min- won stated, “It is extremely important to have a space where young people can communicate about local issues and the future vision,” and added, “We will continue to work together with the region and the university to help students achieve their dreams and grow even further in this community."

By Yoon Hye-won, cub-reporter  flipp1005@naver.com

<저작권자 © The Campus Journal, 무단 전재 및 재배포 금지>