14th National Community Building Convention Opens in Suwon

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-sung] The '14th National Community Building Convention', attended by approximately 10,000 community activists from across the nation to share community building challenges and best practices from each region, opened on the 18th at the Gyeonggi Province Government Building.

Hosted by Suwon Special Metropolitan City and co-organized by the Suwon Urban Foundation and the National Network for Community Building, the three-day convention running through the 20th is held annually in different regions. Suwon was selected as the host city for the 14th convention.

Suwon Special Metropolitan City Mayor Lee Jae-jun said in his opening remarks, "It has been 10 years since we held the Community Building Convention in Suwon in 2013, and we are pleased to host it again." He continued, "Community associations must be at the center of resolving social agendas such as low birth rates, aging population, economic recession, and carbon neutrality," adding, "I hope this national convention will serve as an opportunity for community building to establish its value once more and grow even larger."

Beginning with the opening day, events included the opening dinner 'Sounet on Blanc (Suwon + Dîner en Blanc)' where participants bring their own food to share, followed by a Community Living Lab (practical living laboratory) competition, and an awards ceremony for community activists.

On the 19th, events held at the lawn of the Gyeonggi Province Government Building will include △themed planning conferences discussing community gardens and youth community living △nine free-topic conferences △field tours of excellent community building activity areas including Maesandong, Haenggungnungdong, Jowon 1-dong, Maetan 3-dong, Yulcheon-dong, and nearby urban regeneration project sites around the Gyeonggi Province Government Building.

Active exchange activities among community activists will also take place. On the 18th, a dialogue meeting for solidarity between community activists will be held at the Haenggunung-dong Harmony Center, and on the 19th at the former Yurim Hall. The 19th will also feature the Community Social Security Council connection sharing session held in connection with the national convention.

On the 20th, free conferences will be held at the Gyeonggi Province Community Building Support Center, and the closing ceremony will present the results and proposals of the 14th National Community Building Convention.

Additionally, approximately 30 different booths will operate throughout the convention venue offering experiences, promotional booths, markets, events, picnics, food zones, and more.