World Civic Forum 2009 May 4, 2009

The World Civic Forum (WCF), jointly initiated by Kyung Hee University and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), will hold its inaugural forum on May 5-8, 2009 at the COEX in Seoul, Korea under the main theme of “Building Our Humanitarian Planet.” The WCF 2009 emerges from the leading collaboration between the UN and institutions of higher learning, and aims to develop into an ongoing global institution with the partnership of like-minded actors such as NGOs, international organizations, governments, private enterprise, and the media. As a venue for global reflection and dialogue to enhance future civilizations, it will address the internationally agreed development goals including the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) from various perspectives of education, research, and practice. The WCF 2009, to be followed by succeeding ones biennially thereafter, will highlight the following themes.



MAIN THEME: BUILDING OUR HUMANITARIAN PLANET

Our Earth is calling for a humanitarian regeneration. Despite scientific and technological progress, today we are faced with global problems--in particular, national conflicts and insecurity, environmental destructions and climate change, global injustice and underdevelopment, and alienation between civilizations--due to the loss of values of humanity in the course of modern civilization. Redeeming humanitarian values fully to our lives, however, is a daunting task. It requires integrative collaboration across sectors, disciplines, and nations. As much as damage to humanity has generated complicated ills in every corner of our Planet, we need a holistic initiative transcending conventional boundaries and scopes and reflecting planetary consciousness in order to cure the ills. This integrative, collaborative, and trans-boundary initiative would complement the existing efforts that have been made within a more bounded range of interests and concerns.

Official Website: http://www.wcf2009.org/