One Asia Convention Seoul 2019, organized by Konkuk University and the One Asia Foundation and sponsored by the Seoul City, was held at Lotte Hotel Seoul on August 5th to 6th.(From left: Sang-Jung Kang, an Honorary Professor of University of Tokyo, Namsoo Seo, Former Minister of Education, Yoji Sato, Chairman of One Asia Foundation, Kyungseo Park, Chairman of Korean Red Cross, Ban Ki-moon, Former UN Secretary General, Yukio Hatoyama, Former Japanese Prime Minister, Sanggi Min, President of Konkuk University, Sunaryo Kartadinata, Former President of Indonesian University of Education.)At this year’s One Asia Convention, more than 650 scholars from 325 universities in 32 Asian countries and 250 professors from 90 universities in Korea participated to discuss how education can contribute to peace under the theme of 'Education and Peace' and empathized with Asian communities that living together without state and ethnic discrimination.The One Asia Foundation is a non-profit private organization established in 2009 by Yoji Sato, the third-generation entrepreneur of Korean Japanese (former Chairman of Japan Dainam Holdings), who contributed 100 billion Korean won aiming at the establishment of Asian community of 3.5 billion people in 40 countries including Central Asia beyond EU model. It has been carrying out various activities such as economic, cultural citizen exchange. In particular, in order to enhance the global capacity of university students toward the world and to foster their sense of community among Asians, the lecture named 'Asian Community Theory' at each university that empathizes with the purpose of the One Asia Foundation was opened and the college offers liberal arts education and is currently being operated by 390 universities in over 40 countries. At the opening ceremony, President Sanggi Min said "It is a fact that Asia is one of the most remarkable areas in the world in various fields such as politics, economy, society and culture. However, it is also true that when we look at the modern history of Asia, Asia has not surpassed the wall of each country “and added “I hope that we will be able to share the commonality of Asia, extend cross-border exchanges and cooperation, and become a touchstone of Asia."In the keynote speech, Ban Ki-moon, the former UN Secretary General said, "Education plays a central role in creating a unified society through globalization. The importance of quality education, the maintenance of peace through education, new concept of global citizenship to be discussed through this convention will be a very important and appropriate topic for building the Asian community, or even a connected world to one. " And Mr. Ban added, “Education plays a key role in effectively implementing the agenda “No one left behind” set by the United Nations for the sustainable development of the world.” He prospects that “Today, the proliferation of protective trade, nationalism, and racial hatred is undermining dignity and respect for humans and depleting natural resources. At the same time, new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) blockchain are emerging, changing the way we communicate and think.” Also, he predicts that “In order to promote sustainability, inclusiveness and peace beyond our problems, it is essential to educate future experts who will contribute to solution of a dispute and resolve transformations. In the era of division and uncertainty, investment in lifelong learning that teaches deep cultural understanding and mutual respect will make our future better." (Former Japanese Prime Minister Hatoyama (left) presents his book to Chairperson Jaeun Yoo (center). On the right is Yoon-Bo Lee, President of alumni association.)At the Welcome Banquet of One-Asia Convention, Jaeun Yoo, the Chairperson of Konkuk University Foundation said, “This event attracts attention in that it is the event of Asian intellectuals at the present time when the national agendas take precedence over the international and global initiatives and the nationalist tendency becomes stronger. It is very meaningful for the One Asia Foundation to provide university students with the ability to foster their global capacity toward the world and Asian community's sense of community as the first step towards becoming one. With this kind of education, students will become leaders in the global community." On the 5th, the first day of the convention, followed by keynote speeches by Ban Ki-moon, a former UN Secretary-General and Hatoyama, a former Japanese Prime Minister, at the round table, moderated by Sang-Jung Kang, an Honorary Professor of University of Tokyo, presentation and discussion took place by Sunaryo Kartadinata, former President of Indonesian University of Education, Namsoo Seo, former Minister of Education, Yoji Sato, Chairman of One Asia Foundation. On the 6th, sessions were divided into 4, professors from various Asian countries shared the lecture on ‘Asian Community’ and discussed the future of Asia in various fields such as politics, economics, environment & social matters, history, education, thought, philosophy & religion, culture, arts, media & others.In early August of each year, the One Asia Foundation invites professors from universities where have the lecture ‘Asian Community', to cities in Asia to share their research results and teaching experiences, and to discuss about better ways for the Asian community.
The One Asia Convention, starting from the first Tokyo convention in 2011, it was held in Incheon, Bandung of Indonesia, Jeju island, Shanghai of China, Phnom Penh of Cambodia, Nagoya of Japan, and Hanoi of Vietnam. It is an event where professors and experts from all over Asia gather to exchange and share knowledge and information.