Last Updated (Wednesday, 02 March 2022 16:33)

East Asia Youth International Peace Forum
Daegu YMCA, Korea
28 February 2022; 2-4PM Korea Time

Daegu YMCA of Korea under its Peaceful Daegu Project organized the East Asia International Peace Forum on 28 February 2022 at 2-4 PM Korea time. The event which was participated mostly by YMCA of Korea Secretaries and staff was likewise opened to YMCA constituents in the region through virtual platform. The gathering highlighted the importance of establishing a youth network for peace in East Asia.

The forum discussion centered on the relevance understanding the historical value of Daegu March 1st Independence Movement and the plight of the Daegu YMCA movement under Japanese colonial rule. Prof Son San-mun of the Yeungnam University and NCY Korea NGS Kim Kyungmin presented the main discussion papers from which both articles highlighted the series of events that led to the Daegu March 1 Movement, and the Daegu YMCA movement. Likewise, it presented the key persons who inspired others to join the movement. It was worthy to note that the individuals and groups of people involved have their roots connected with the YMCA of Daegu. Most of which are youth and students.

In his article, Prof Son San-mun expressed the historical significance of March 1st Movement. This is because through the “March 1st Movement the national task of independence was clearly established, and Christianity, which was recognized only as an foreign religion, was finally established as a national religion due to the leading participation of churches and church members”. He added that, this can be said to be the result of the church fulfilling its social responsibility for not turning a blind eye to national pain.” and the Christian churches.

In addition, both Prof Son San-mun and NGS Kim presented important actions moving forward the mission-oriented work of the YMCA as a movement. NGS Kim called for cooperation and networking. He stressed that the efforts of youth and citizens in East Asia to make friends with each other and engage in exchanges are important foundation for peace. Thus, he emphasized the need to establish an East Asian Youth Peace Network.

The discussion was further enriched by a set of panelists comprising of Hisao Mitsunaa, General Secretary of Kumamoto YMCA in Japan, Ngoc Hai, Professor of Phenikaa University, Lee Choong-gi, Professor of College of Medicine at Yeungnam University, Jung eun, Professor of the Department of Education at Yeungnam University, Maria Cristina Miranda, APAY Execuitve Secretary and Uyanga Choijilsuren, Program Coordinator, YMCA of Mongolia; and the encouragement speech by APAY GS Nam Boo Won.

The East Asia International Peace Forum was a timely and a meaningful gathering particularly at a time that invasion of Ukraine and war raged by the Putin regime was escalating. It was an opportune time to invite the community of believers to continuously pray and embrace the power of non-violent actions.

-Maria Cristina Miranda, APAY Executive Secretary