How can Canada’s relationship with the Republic of Korea be strengthened? What do the various issues on Korean peninsula mean for Canada and the world? These topics and more will be discussed Saturday, April 6 as part of the 18th annual Glendon International Studies Symposium at York University’s Glendon College.
The one-day symposium, The Korean Peninsula Beyond Borders: Inspiring Global Dialogue in the 21st Century, will take place at York University's Glendon campus. Registration begins at 8:30am. For more information, click here to see the symposium's agenda. A full list of speakers, complete with their biographies, showcases the depth and breadth of experience and perspectives on the region.
The objective of this symposium is to explore the relationship between Canada and Korea, as well as to foster intellectual dialogue among students, academic scholars, government officials, non‐governmental organization, members of the Korean‐Canadian community and members of the business community.
Gwangan Bridge, Busan, South Korea
The symposium begins with a conference keynote by the Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Toronto, Chung, Kwang‐kyun. Following his keynote address, the morning panels will explore a series of topics such as: peace, security and human rights in Korea; religion and culture; and economic and social development in the region. The afternoon panels will explore contemporary issues related to migration, immigration and refugees; gender and identity; and foreign policy and bilateral relations. Panelists from a variety of sectors including the academy, government and non-governmental organizations will contribute their knowledge and views on topics.
Chung, Kwang‐kyun
Each year, the Glendon International Studies Symposium project provides a unique opportunity for senior undergraduate students to gain more than just academic experience. This year’s project is organized by students under the supervision of Glendon political science Professor Laam Hae, who studies and teaches urban political economy and cultural politics both in the contexts of North America and East Asia (with a particular emphasis in South Korea).
In addition to organizing the April 6 symposium, the project consists of a series of weekly seminars during the fall term and a field trip following the conference. The objective of the field research component is to immerse the symposium's committee members in Korean culture and society by way of first-hand experience. Three weeks of field research in Korea will greatly enhance the quality and depth of knowledge required for the individual research essays being undertaken by each member of the group, which will later culminate in a publication.
Glendon’s Student Annual International Studies Symposium is a project entirely conceived and managed by students. It was initiated during the 1995-1996 academic year by a group of highly motivated students, eager to deepen their knowledge and experience of foreign countries or regions and the relations between Canada and those countries or regions. So far, the project has covered the following countries or regions: Cuba (1995-1996), China (1996-97), South Africa (1997-1998), the European Union (1998-1999), the Middle East (1999-2000), South East Asia (2000-2001), Brazil (2001-2002), Russia (2002-2003), India (2003-2004), The Great Lakes Regions of Central Africa (2004-2005), Mexico (2005-2006), Turkey (2006-2007), Egypt (2007-2008), Venezuela (2008-2009), Iran (2009-2010), Hispaniola (2010-2011) and Germany (2011-2012).
The Korean Peninsula Beyond Borders: Inspiring Global Dialogue in the 21st Century conference is sponsored by President Emerita Lorna R. Marsden, the Glendon College Student Union and the Friends of Glendon. Tickets are still available. Click here to access the registration form.