Global Sharing Movement and Nazareth University Sign Agreement to Expand Overseas Volunteer Opportunities for Disadvantaged Youth

At the business agreement ceremony on the 4th, from the left, Hyunshin Lee, Head of the Global Sharing Movement Talent Project Headquarters, Hyekyung Kim, Chairperson of the Global Sharing Movement, Kyungsoo Kim, President of Nazareth University, Junseok Lee, Professor of the Department of Rehabilitation and Independence, and Eunhye Jung, Assistant Professor of the Department of Human Rehabilitation, are posing for a commemorative photo. Global Sharing Movement

The Global Sharing Movement (Chairperson Hyekyung Kim) announced on September 4 that it had signed a business agreement with Nazareth University (President Kyungsoo Kim) regarding the "KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency) Youth Mid-Term Volunteer Dispatch Program." Through this agreement, the two institutions will provide preferential selection benefits, such as awarding additional points during the selection of overseas volunteer groups, to young people from socially disadvantaged backgrounds, including those with disabilities. The aim is to expand opportunities for overseas volunteer experiences and support the enhancement of young people's international competencies.

Nazareth University is a specialized institution in the fields of health care, special education, and rehabilitation welfare, and in 1995, it established the nation's first Department of Human Rehabilitation. Over the past ten years, the university has produced 608 successful candidates in the national and public special education teacher certification exams and operates related departments such as rehabilitation engineering, speech therapy, psychological counseling, adapted physical education, special education, and social welfare. As of April this year, there are approximately 226 students with visual, hearing, physical, or other disabilities enrolled, making it one of the universities in Korea with the highest proportion of students with disabilities.

The Global Sharing Movement is an international development NGO with special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UN ECOSOC). It carries out education, health, and community development projects in 15 countries across Asia and Africa. In particular, in cooperation with KOICA, it has operated the Youth Mid-Term Volunteer Dispatch Program since 2023, dispatching 165 volunteers to five countries to date.

Going forward, the two organizations will work together to identify and support young people from socially disadvantaged backgrounds throughout the selection process and post-program management. Through overseas volunteer activities, they aim to help young people develop global competencies, problem-solving skills, and cultural sensitivity, supporting their growth as future leaders.

Hyekyung Kim, Chairperson of the Global Sharing Movement, emphasized, "By expanding opportunities for young people with disabilities to participate in the field of international development cooperation, we can build a more inclusive and diversified talent pool." Kyungsoo Kim, President of Nazareth University, stated, "This will serve as a foundation for systematically establishing opportunities for students with disabilities to participate in overseas volunteer activities."

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