Suwon Hosts 23rd Residents' Autonomous Governance Expo

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-seong] Suwon Special City held the "23rd Suwon Residents' Autonomous Governance Expo" on the 17th at the Suwon Convention Center.

Mayor Lee Jae-jun said in his opening remarks, "The growth of residents' autonomous governance directly leads to Suwon's growth," and added, "Moving beyond 30 years of elected local autonomy, we will open a new era of local decentralization together with citizens."

At the opening ceremony, commendations and appreciation plaques were presented to 8 individuals who contributed to promoting residents' autonomous governance and 7 practitioners of local autonomy. Various exhibitions, competitions, and experience programs prepared by residents' autonomous governance councils and centers followed.

In the 'Exhibition Zone,' neighborhood-themed and experience booths were operated, and a village development blueprint map displaying all 44 neighborhoods' autonomous planning development blueprints at a glance was exhibited.

The autonomous planning development blueprint is a visualization in map form of short-term and long-term village development ideas derived through discussions of residents' autonomous governance councils.

In the 'Competition Zone,' 12 clubs comprised of residents' center program participants showcased various performances including acoustic guitar, dance, traditional Korean music, and chorus.

A total of 22 neighborhoods participated in the 'Experience Zone' and 'Themed Booths.' Programs that can be enjoyed in everyday life were operated, including △(Pajang-dong) coffee grounds keychain making △(Haenggung-dong) handkerchief printmaking experience △(Youngtong 3-dong) hand-drip coffee experience.

At the closing ceremony, commendations were presented to 12 winning clubs from residents' autonomous activity artwork exhibition and 17 teams that participated in the residents' autonomous governance shorts (short video) contest.