INTERNATIONAL BEAT Heading into Spring with the The Jeollabuk-do Center for International Affairs (which, incidentally, makes this magazine possible) is still relatively new in the province. In its short existence the center has put together a variety of programs linking international residents, visitors, and locals. Now, as the year progresses, there are a number of programs to share with Jeonbuk’s global community. with expats in other areas to share their living stories and learn about each area’s modern and contemporary history. Jeonbuk International Exchange Festival - This is a festival for expats/residents in Jeonbuk and also expats from other cities for mutual exchange. <strong>JB</strong>CIA hopes to improve the expats’ understanding of Korea and produce more international exchange between Jeonbuk and the world beyond. * International Exchange Networks Jeonbuk Consultative Bodies for International Exchange 1) Jeonbuk International Exchange Consultative Council - Made up of visiting professors and experts who conduct research on trends in international exchange and provide consultation on the direction of <strong>JB</strong>CIA’s operation as well as new exchange areas for Jeonbuk. The council also arranges civilian exchanges and supporting activities abroad. 2) Jeonbuk 14 Municipal International Exchange Network - Made up of the 14 municipal offices for international exchange that are spread across Jeonbuk, this network provides <strong>JB</strong>CIA with information about county- and city-level organizations seeking international exchanges. It works to improve the support and lay the foundation for more rigorous exchanges.. Vitalization of International Exchange Overseas 1) Youth Exchange Programs with Sister/Friendly U.S. Areas - These programs include a teenage exchange program through Skype, pen pals, and visiting each other’s cities every other year to understand the culture, language, history, etc. 2) Sports Exchange with Sister/Friendly Areas in Japan - With connected leagues in sports, each country’s representative organizations visit for competition and exchange skills and information that are common to a particular sport. 3) Discovering New Friendly and Exchange-worthy Areas - The center is finding new overseas areas that there were not active in exchange and advocating agreements to promote and broaden exchange programs. Korea Foundation (KF) Public Participation 1) KF Exhibition and Concert <strong>JB</strong>CIA is arranging a KF cultural exhibition and concert featuring well-known overseas artists or performances. 2) KF-Jeonbuk Foreigners Themed Field Trip The center will select expats in Jeonbuk and arrange meetings Cooperative International Exchange Projects 1) Supporting Overseas Korean Language Schools - The <strong>JB</strong>CIA produces and distributes Korean language textbooks tailor-made by the CBNU Development of Regional Advancement University Project Consortium to better promote various aspects of Jeonbuk and also provides stationery for students taking Korean language courses overseas. The <strong>JB</strong>CIA and the universities hope to trigger foreigners’ interest in Jeonbuk and potentially bring more international students to the region. 2) Cultural Choir Exchange with Jeonbuk Foreigners - The goal of this program is to support the residents and foreigners who are interested in choir so that they can practice different styles of songs and perform at the Jeonbuk International Exchange Festival. 3) Supporting Development of Underdeveloped Countries - Another goal is broadening business in underdeveloped countries and selecting those that have interest in the culture and history of Korea. <strong>JB</strong>CIA will build the Jeonbuk International Exchange House and cooperate with local organizations to provide equipment, tools, and traditional goods toward this goal. *Developing Residents’ Global Competency Global Talk!Talk!Talk! (Global Skills Seminar Series) - This series invites experts in world economy, trends, and diplomacy. Their lectures are open to all people in Jeonbuk. The seminars are aimed at developing the residents’ global skills and competencies and widening their horizons. Building “World Town” Networks - The <strong>JB</strong>CIA encourages local and foreign residents of the same town to form a “World Town” international exchange group.. Resembling sister cities, this gives smaller towns opportunities and support for cultural, art, sports, and food exchanges. It’s also worthwhile because they are initiated by group members themselves, not the government. Supporting Services for Private International Exchange -The center will work on supporting private organizations which are struggling with international exchange problems or establishment of an international exchange organization. The areas of consulting are law, administration, operation, etc. Publication of Jeonbuk English Magazine - The <strong>JB</strong>CIA English Magazine “<strong>JB</strong><strong>Life</strong>” is a full-color print magazine that provides an in-depth look at issues surrounding Jeonbuk history, culture, food, and language and tells the stories of foreign residents and globally minded people living in the region to spread news to Jeollabuk-do’s international community, as well as to other cities and overseas. The Young Global Leaders Program -This basic education program focuses on the theme of global leadership and international exchange for the younger generation of Jeonbuk to train them as future global leaders. There will be field trips to the diplomacy department, ambassador seminars, and a mock-UN meeting. On- and Offline International Exchange Library - This library will offer books and electronic resources dealing with international exchange that can be used as an educational space for elementary, middle, high school, and college students from the region and the general public. JISU: Jeonbuk International Supporters Unity - This group’s task is promoting major international events taking place in Jeonbuk and supervising the volunteers’ activities. These volunteers are expected to advance the internationalization of Jeonbuk. * Support Services for Foreigners Jeonbuk International Students PR Team - This group of international foreign university students studying in various parts of Jeonbuk province takes photos and videos to introduce the culture, festivals, goods, and lifestyle of Jeonbuk on social media. One PR Team is selected for each half of the year and their work is uploaded every week on the center’s Facebook page. An open exhibition with provincial dignitaries is held when their activity period closes. Support Service for Jeonbuk Foreign Communities - This service seeks to promote activities, events, exhibitions, and friendship meetings of foreign communities in Jeonbuk to enhance foreigners’ living convenience and vitalize the communities. <strong>JB</strong>CIA selects 10 groups in each half of the year with a maximum budget of 1,000,000won each.. Support Services for Foreigners in Jeonbuk - This is a new effort offering Korean language education for foreign workers in the suburbs and giving living tips to improve their quality of life. The continued models are operating voluntary groups composed of representative foreign laborers in Jeonbuk and offering counseling and consulting services to provide help in the workplace with respect to labor and employment issues- or even family and personal wellbeing. . For more information, visit the center at www.jbcia.or.kr. 4 Jeonbuk <strong>Life</strong> 5