UNESCO to implement "Seoul Agenda" for arts education

UNESCO decided to implement a resolution designed to promote and stress the importance of culture and art education globally on October 16.

UNESCO will officially announce the resolution, known as the "Seoul Agenda" next fall.

Representatives of UNESCO member stages unanimously agreed to implement the Seoul Agenda, formally titled "Goals for the Development of Arts Education," at the 185th Executive Meeting in Paris on Oct. 16.

They also agreed to proclaim the last week of every May to be "Arts Education Week" to draw global attention to the value of arts education from 2012.

Under the decision, UNESCO member states, civil society, professional organizations, and communities are expected to organize relevant activities, events, and cultural exchanges every year. 

Thanks to the implementation of the resolution, UNESCO will be able to provide systemic support to promote culture and arts education for not only industrialized countries, but also developing and underdeveloped countries. 

Secretary-General of the Korean National Commission for UNESCO Chun Taeck-soo said, "This is the first resolution to be initially proposed and led by Korea, and implemented by the international community." Chun also said he will make efforts to organize culture and art-related events during the proposed "Arts Education Week" in order to raise the public profile of arts education. He also plans to organize programs targeting families to achieve cultural integration through arts education across a broad range of social classes and ethnic groups. 

The resolution was jointly proposed by Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korean National Commission for UNESCO (KNCU) to promote and establish quality culture and arts education around the world. Korea's move was supported by eight countries, including the United States and Japan. Before the executive meeting on Oct. 16, more than 20 countries asked Korea to add their country in the list of countries supporting the resolution.

UNESCO to implement "Seoul Agenda" for arts education

UNESCO decided to implement a resolution designed to promote and stress the importance of culture and art education globally on October 16.

UNESCO will officially announce the resolution, known as the "Seoul Agenda" next fall.

Representatives of UNESCO member stages unanimously agreed to implement the Seoul Agenda, formally titled "Goals for the Development of Arts Education," at the 185th Executive Meeting in Paris on Oct. 16.

They also agreed to proclaim the last week of every May to be "Arts Education Week" to draw global attention to the value of arts education from 2012.

Under the decision, UNESCO member states, civil society, professional organizations, and communities are expected to organize relevant activities, events, and cultural exchanges every year. 

Thanks to the implementation of the resolution, UNESCO will be able to provide systemic support to promote culture and arts education for not only industrialized countries, but also developing and underdeveloped countries. 

Secretary-General of the Korean National Commission for UNESCO Chun Taeck-soo said, "This is the first resolution to be initially proposed and led by Korea, and implemented by the international community." Chun also said he will make efforts to organize culture and art-related events during the proposed "Arts Education Week" in order to raise the public profile of arts education. He also plans to organize programs targeting families to achieve cultural integration through arts education across a broad range of social classes and ethnic groups. 

The resolution was jointly proposed by Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korean National Commission for UNESCO (KNCU) to promote and establish quality culture and arts education around the world. Korea's move was supported by eight countries, including the United States and Japan. Before the executive meeting on Oct. 16, more than 20 countries asked Korea to add their country in the list of countries supporting the resolution.

UNESCO to implement "Seoul Agenda" for arts education

UNESCO decided to implement a resolution designed to promote and stress the importance of culture and art education globally on October 16.

UNESCO will officially announce the resolution, known as the "Seoul Agenda" next fall.

Representatives of UNESCO member stages unanimously agreed to implement the Seoul Agenda, formally titled "Goals for the Development of Arts Education," at the 185th Executive Meeting in Paris on Oct. 16.

They also agreed to proclaim the last week of every May to be "Arts Education Week" to draw global attention to the value of arts education from 2012.

Under the decision, UNESCO member states, civil society, professional organizations, and communities are expected to organize relevant activities, events, and cultural exchanges every year. 

Thanks to the implementation of the resolution, UNESCO will be able to provide systemic support to promote culture and arts education for not only industrialized countries, but also developing and underdeveloped countries. 

Secretary-General of the Korean National Commission for UNESCO Chun Taeck-soo said, "This is the first resolution to be initially proposed and led by Korea, and implemented by the international community." Chun also said he will make efforts to organize culture and art-related events during the proposed "Arts Education Week" in order to raise the public profile of arts education. He also plans to organize programs targeting families to achieve cultural integration through arts education across a broad range of social classes and ethnic groups. 

The resolution was jointly proposed by Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korean National Commission for UNESCO (KNCU) to promote and establish quality culture and arts education around the world. Korea's move was supported by eight countries, including the United States and Japan. Before the executive meeting on Oct. 16, more than 20 countries asked Korea to add their country in the list of countries supporting the resolution.

India, South Korea sign Social Security Agreement

India Tuesday signed a Social Security Agreement with South Korea, a step that would "enhance movement of professionals between the two countries and strengthen bilateral trade and investment".

"The Social Security Agreement between the Republic of Korea and India was signed by Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi and Minister for Trade of the Republic of Korea Kim Jong-hoon in Seoul Tuesday," said a government release.

The overseas Indian affairs ministry said a number of Indians are working in South Korea, most of whom are working professionals or self-employed.

"There is a huge potential for employment of Indian professionals and workers in the Republic of Korea owing to a large labour supply gap in the market. The Social Security Agreement with the Republic of Korea would enhance movement of professionals between the two countries and strengthen the tradeand investment between the two countries," said the release.

India is likely to become a major source of migrant professionals due to its vast reservoir of technically qualified manpower in sectors like information technology, engineering, health, and finance and management, it said.

"Most of the developed countries have an umbrella social security systemmandated by law. It is usually funded through mandatory contribution from all working people and their employers (in a prescribed ratio) in order to provide multiple benefits like old age pension, disability insurance, health insuranceand unemployment insurance.

"Social security agreements address issues such as non-export of social security benefit, loss of contribution due to less than prescribed minimum contribution period, deprivation of benefit in the case of self-employed people on relocation, and loss of competitive edge to the Indian companies while bidding due to high rate of social security tax," the ministry said.

Negotiations between India and Korea were held in New Delhi in December last year.

Some of the benefits to Indian nationals working in South Korea after the agreement:

-For short term contract up to five years, no social security contribution would need to be paid under theKorean law by the detached workers - provided they continue to make social security payment in India.

-The above benefits shall be available even when the Indian company sends its employees to the Republic of Korea from a third country.

-Indian workers shall be entitled to the export of the social security benefit if they relocate to India or a third country after the completion of their service in the Republic of Korea.

-The self-employed Indians in the Republic of Korea would also be entitled to export of social security benefit on their relocation to India, or a third country.

Korean cars to carry international leaders for G20 Seoul Summit

When they visit Seoul for next month's G20 Seoul Summit, leaders will ride in Equus limousines manufactured by Hyundai-Kia Motors.

The car is equipped with a bullet-proof security system and an automatic break alert system, with emergency lights that turn on automatically if the breaks are activated abruptly.

"By providing the G20 leaders with the Equus as an official vehicle for G20 Seoul Summit, we hope to establish a high-end image for the Korean vehicle market and other Korean products,” said Hyundai’s PR staff.

The spouses of heads of state will travel in Germany's new Audi A8 during the summit. The vehicle was imported for the occasion, and has not been released in Korea. It is made of strong, lightweight aluminum, and equipped with automatic distance control between cars.

Additionally, it has a special thermal detector that can sense humans, animals and road obstacles within a 300 meter radius, increasing the safety of night driving.

"Audi has been used as an official vehicle many times in past years. It is a great opportunity to increase our brand awareness and prestige,” said Trevor Hill, Managing Director of Audi Korea.

BMW and Chrysler will also act as sponsors for the summit, which will require a total of 240 official vehicles to transport G20 leaders.

Culture and arts unite Korea and ASEAN

The 2010 ASEAN-Korea Culture & Arts Forum, organized by the Korean Culture and Information Service of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, closed on October 16.

The ten countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Burma/Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam) and Korea held the regional conference to encourage cultural exchanges among nations and strengthen relationships in order to establish an Asia united by culture and the arts. 

Mohammad Abdoh Damit, Head of Aesthetics Education in Brunei’s Ministry of Education, gave a speech on the importance of international cooperation and understanding in culture and the arts. Bui Hoai Son from the Vietnam Institute of Culture and Arts Studies also helped open the forum with a presentation on how Korean dramas act as a cultural link between Korea and Vietnam.

Son stressed that Korean dramas act as ambassadors of Korean culture, increasing Vietnamese interest in the culture and people of Korea.  He also said that to improve cultural contact and understanding between the two countries, there needs to be more venues and opportunities for mutual interaction, including conferences and human exchanges.

Damit spoke on the importance and development of international cooperation and understanding between ASEAN and Korea, and of the ASEAN-Korea Traditional Orchestra in particular.

During the session on performances, presenters from Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Cambodia and Korea talked about official policies and the current status of traditional performance in their respective nations. There was also a session concentrating on issues in the film industry, with participants from the Philippines, Singapore, Laos, and Korea.  

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yu In-chon sent a message to the forum, stating that the Korean Government remains committed to enhancing cultural communication among Asian nations, and the promotion of Asian cultural values.

source:Korea.net

G20 marked by cultural events, global gatherings

With less than 30 days left before the G20 Seoul Summit, Korea is bustling with preparations to greet overseas visitors.

A variety of events will be held to celebrate the G20 as event for everyone, beyond just world leaders and businesspeople.

In central Seoul, a concert will be held at Sejong Cultural Center for the Performing Arts in Gwanghwamun on November 7. As many as 3,000 people, including ambassadors and other officials, are expected to attend the concert, which is being supported by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The National Library of Korea will also hold a series of programs from November 8-12, including a lecture on world literature, an art exhibition, and film screening to mark the upcoming G20 summit.

One of the most notable events is the 2010 Asia Song Festival. Now in its seventh year, the festival will feature 14 top singers and groups from Korea and overseas to celebrate the opening of the G20. The concert will be held on October 23 at the main Olympic Stadium in Jamsil and be aired in more than 30 countries, including Japan and China. Boa, Rain, 2AM, KARA, and other local groups will join an international collection of stars to delight fans.

Top Asian singers perform at the Asia Song Festival which was held in Seoul, September of 2009. (Photo: Yonhap News)

During the two-day summit period from Nov. 11-12, traditional performances and exhibitions will be held for diplomatic delegations and representatives from international organizations. The National Center for the Korean Traditional Performing Arts will hold a special performance of the Jongmyojereak under the title “Korea, the Beauty of Korea” at Yeakdang in Seocho-gu. The Jongmyojereak is part of a royal ancestral rite named “jongmyojere” from the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), and is a UNESCO-listed intangible cultural heritage.  The National Theater of Korea will also host a traditional Korean music performance called "Cheong" at its main Hea Hall on Nov. 12.

The leaders attending the G20 Seoul Summit will be able to appreciate the beauty of Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392) Buddhist paintings at the National Museum of Korea, which will also serve as the official luncheon venue for the G20 Summit on Nov. 11. The museum is holding a special exhibition titled "Masterpieces of Goryeo Buddhist Painting - A Long Lost Look after 700 Years" from Oct. 12 to Nov. 21. 

Visitors enjoy Korean, Japanese, and Chinese paintings in the National Museum of Korea’s special exhibition on Goryeo Buddhist paintings. (Photo: Yonhap News)

Overseas tourists and representatives from governmental and international organizations will have several opportunities to enjoy Korean culture through a variety of programs, including tour programs run by royal palaces, and two arts festivals at Seoul Art Center: The Korea International Music Festival on Nov. 4-14, and the Seoul Performing Arts Festival from Oct. 2 through Nov. 4.

Meanwhile, the city of Gyeongju in Gyeongsangbuk-do will host several events to celebrate the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors' Meeting, slated to take place on Oct. 22-23. 

A scene from the gugak-themed performance "Miso" (Photo: Yonhap News)

One of the main events is the Bomunho Festival on Oct. 20-23. A series of concerts, including orchestral, K-pop, the traditional Korean performance "Miso," and the nonverbal performance "Nanta" will be held at the main outdoor stage at Bomun Lake in the Bomun resort area.