The presentation at “Green Talk Concert” shared the same perception with domestic and overseas environmental group leaders and young people
The 2nd World Leaders’ Conservation Forum was held at the Jeju International Convention Center from October 3 to 5 with the theme of “Cooperation for a Sustainable Future.” At this forum, jointly host by the Ministry of Environment, the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature [IUCN], world leaders discussed the sustainable use of natural resources, transnational environmental cooperation, and ways to strengthen the roles of future generations, making a collaborative effort.
On October 3, 2018, Kim Joo-cheol, Vice-chairman of the Intl. WeLoveU Foundation, was invited for a presentation at the “Green Talk Concert” that is for international NGOs. Speakers were domestic and global environmental group leaders; Inger Andersen the Director General of IUCN, Anna van Paddenburg the Deputy Director of Global Green Growth Institute [GGGI], Xavier Sticker the French Ambassador for the Environment, Shahbaz Khan the Regional Director (Asia and the Pacific) at UNESCO, Bruno Monteferri the Director of Conservamos por Naturaleza at the Peruvian Society for Environmental Law, Sohn Seong-hwan the Director of the World Wildlife Fund [WWF] Korea, and Ju Si-hu the Head of Green Campus Council in Gyeonggi-do, Korea.
The event continued from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. About 100 college students and citizens actively participated, listening carefully and asking questions. The presenters explained the actual state of environmental problems and the current situation of environmental movement, and asked the young generation to be more interested in environmental matters and to change the world by taking whatever action is necessary for that.
Among the eleven speakers, Vice-chairman Kim Joo-cheol gave a big boost to the event with the presentation under the subject, “Conservation of Nature & Cooperation for a Sustainable Future.” Pointing out that climate change is causing many environmental refugees and increasing welfare demand, Vice-chairman Kim gave examples of island countries in the South Pacific suffering from rising sea levels due to climate change and of Laos, which has recently become an international issue because of a dam collapse. In Laos, a dam broke down by flood, which caused thousands of environmental refugees. Throughout August, 1,700 man-days from the WeLoveU helped improve the living environment of the flood victims and consoled their wounded hearts by operating a free meal camp and the “WeLoveU School.” Also, the members cleaned around the refugee camp, repaired drainage to prevent further damage, and helped with recovery work. Kim emphasized that the environment and wellbeing are inseparable, and that a clean and safe global environment is the foundation of human wellbeing. He also asked the young generation to become “environmental ambassadors” who make known the importance of environmental preservation to the world and to take action “right now and right here.”
The participants who heard his presentation said, “I’ve realized what I did not think of. I didn’t know that the things I use in my daily life were destroying the global environment. I will make an effort to preserve the environment.”
Meanwhile, the global environmental leaders, who attended the forum, showed their interest in the environmental activities of the WeLoveU that helps the global neighbors with a mother’s heart, and they expressed their support. Inger Andersen the Director General of IUCN complimented the WeLoveU members at the event hall and encouraged them, saying, “You are amazing. Anyone who works and commits on climate change is doing a huge and important job. The more young people step in, the more young people network, the more young people speak to importance of fighting the climate change, the better it is. So get engaged, stay active, be involved, and network with everyone. That’s the way you are going to make a change.”
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