20th Korean Women’s International Network (KOWIN) held
Checking the results of activities carried out by KOWIN in the past 20 years as one playing a leading role in Korean women’s networks the world over and its future vision -
The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family (MOGEF/Minister Chung Young-ai) is holding the 20th session of the Korean Women’s International Network (KOWIN) online on the theme named "KOWIN ’s Future Vision based on 20 Years of Its Activities" for two days on August 30 and 31.
KOWIN is a body that has carried out activities over the past 20 years since 2001 when MOGEF was launched, with the participation of an accumulated total of 9,400-plus Korean women leaders including 3,163 in 61 countries the world over.
※ In the 20th session, a total of 310-plus Korean women including 260 from 26 countries will attend.
At this year’s session, the attendees will look back on the result of the activities carried out for gender equality by Korean women the world over including those at KOWIN and how KOWIN needs to be developed in the future on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of KOWIN and MOGEF.
The session will include keynote lectures, Global Women Leaders’ Forum, and small-group discussions on activities carried out in each sector.
Julie J. Chung (or Chung Ji-yun), who has been appointed as US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, will give a keynote lecture in the morning of August 30. She will talk about her international experience as a diplomat over the past 25 years and her opinion on the desired future role of KOWIN.
The Global Women Leaders’ Forum (to be held in the afternoon of August 30) is to have the attendees divided into three groups focusing on health, environment, and safety. Panelists will exchange in-depth opinions on each sector.
In session 1, they will discuss the impact of the current crisis caused by COVID-19 on women including how Korean women leaders in the health sector need to cooperate with each other. Ms. Kim Oak-yeon, Janssen’s Vice Chair in charge of Asia-Pacific Commercial Strategy & Market Access, and others will give their presentations.
[Session 1]
- Presider: Park Hyeon-yeong, Korea National Institute of Health
- Panelists
Baek Myoa, VP, KOGENE BIOTECH
Kim Oak-yeon, Vice Chair in charge of Asia-Pacific commercial Strategy& Market Access, Janssen
Kim Dong-sik, Chief, Korean Women’s Development Institute
In session 2, they will discuss how to encourage more women to take part in environment-related sectors and how to cope with the climate crisis from a Gender Awareness perspective, with President Yun Jeong-suk of Green Korea United playing a leading role.
[Session 2]
- Presider: President Yun Jeong-suk of Green Korea United
- Panelists
Lee Yu-jin, Director, Green Transition Institute
Lee So-yeon, Environmental editor, NEWNEEK
Jeong Euna, Researcher, Energy & Climate Policy Institute
In session 3, they will discuss the current situation wherein gender/race-related violence and discrimination are becoming harsher amid COVID-19 as well as how Korean women in different countries can work together to cope with such situation, with President Shin Hye-su of the Korea Center for UN Human Rights Policy, etc. playing a leading role.
[Session 3]
- Presider: President Shin Hye-su of the Korea Center for UN Human Rights Policy (KOCUN)
- Panelists
Seo Seung-hui, President, Korea Cyber Sexual Violence Response Center
Lee Hyeon-suk, President, Tacteen Net
Kim Jeong-su, President, Peacemaking Women
Kim Sug-im, President, Jogakbo
At the networking session (to be held in the morning of August 31 with attendees divided according to areas of specialization), those carrying out activities in different sectors (e.g., international cooperation, peace, equality, society, culture, arts, science, education, etc.) will communicate with each other and look for ways to strengthen their leadership through collaboration among Korean women.
Meanwhile, MOGEF will present a letter of commendation to eight individuals and two organizations who/that have contributed to the strengthening of exchange/cooperation between Korean women both at home and abroad and enhancement of the country’s prestige.
Those to receive the letter of commendation are: Ms. Hong Ji-hui, KOWIN’s regional officer in Thailand who has worked hard to protect the rights/interests of overseas Korean women/families including the opening of the Center for Protection of Korean Women/Families in Thailand and come a long way in invigorating exchanges between Korea and Thailand; Ms. Lee In-suk, KOWIN’s regional vice representative in Brazil who has worked hard to enhance the potential of next-generation Korean-Brazilians, teaching at Hangeul (Korean alphabetic script) school for women and children.
Others(8 individuals, 2 organizations) who will receive a letter of commendation include Ms. Seo Jin-hwa, former President of KOWINNER, and the following:
※ Eight individuals: Choi Won-gyeong in the United States(West), Lee Sang-suk in Germany, Hong Ji-hui in Thailand, Jeon Gyeong-eun in Vietnam, Jang Gong-sun in the Philippines, Lee In-suk in Brazil, Lee Ryeong in China, Seo Jin-hwa of KOWINNER,
Two organizations: KOWIN’s regional HQ in Hong Kong and Cheongju City, Chungbuk
MOGEF will also present a letter of appreciation to KOWIN’s current (9th term) regional officers who have strived for exchanges among Korean women in various regions of the world and a letter of appointment to those who will serve as regional officers during the 10th term (for two years).
※ 10th-term regional officers at 20 regional HQs in 18 countries (United States, Germany, Russia, Argentina, Indonesia, Japan, China, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, Brazil, Spain, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Thailand, Czech Republic, and Cambodia)
Commenting on the matter, Minister Chung Young-ai noted that KOWIN has secured its position as the central body for a network of Korean women over the past 21 years since its launch in 2001 for exchange and solidarity among Korean women both at home and abroad.
“We at MOGEF sincerely hope that this year’s session will serve as an occasion wherein Korean women find a way to build an equal and engaging international community and work together to cope with global crises,” she added.