미지센터의 청소년 국제교류이야기

Girl’s Dream

Alternatives to sanitary pads exercise

           Problems concerning sanitary pads have become a big issue in today’s society. With manufacturing companies trying to win the competition through the use of more chemical ingredients, the respect for safety and women’s bodies has drastically decreased.

Sanitary pads manufacturing companies try to satisfy their buyers by emphasizing on their products’ comfort and lightweight. However, this forces companies to use more chemical components, which cause skin diseases and serious menstrual pains. For this reason, national feminist groups like Korea Women Link(한국여성민우회) and Blood Sister Regiment(피자매연대) have started to take actions from 2000(statistical data: Google) in order to save the planet from pollution of chemical sanitary pads and to prevent women’s bodies from the danger of toxic materials.

What is ‘Girl’s Dream’?

In Korea, there are not many organizations which promote the making of alternatives to sanitary pads. However, there are many small groups in public institutions like youth centers which make sanitary pads out of natural material. To learn the process of making pure cotton pads and to find out more about the sanitary pad problem, I personally visited a feminist activity group called ‘Girl’s Dream’. ‘Girl’s Dream’ is a group from Gangnam Youth Center which makes pure cotton pads for young girls suffering from poverty and war in the 3^rd world countries.

Girls in poor countries fail to buy normal sanitary pads and they are in a terrible situation where AIDS is spreading vastly. Also, they cannot go to school and continue their daily routines during their menstrual cycle period. In order to solve this problem, members of ‘Girl’s Dream’ make pads of 100% natural cotton and donate them to girls in need.

The process of making the cotton sanitary pads is not complicated. There are two separate cotton sheets and members are required to sew them together and add buttons on each side. Making one sanitary pad can be done in less than 40 minutes. Each member makes two sanitary pads in every group meetings which are held on the 2^nd and 4^th Saturday of each month. A member of ‘Girl’s Dream’ mentioned that she felt rewarded to participate in a meaningful activity in an easy and enjoyable way.

Moreover, ‘Girl’s Dream’ contacts with other organizations to send the cotton pads with different materials like dolls, stationary, etc. ‘Girl’s Dream’ fills a box with the handmade cotton pads and makes sure that it is delivered to the poor villages. While cotton pads have no harm to the user, they also have no negative effects to the environment. Members of ‘Girl’s Dream’ try to lessen the harm of sanitary pad problems and the rate of pollution by making cotton pads with great care.

To hear more about ‘Girl’s Dream’ I had the chance to reach Yang, Jin Hwa, an assistant administrator of the Gangnam Youth Center.

Recently, middle schools and high schools in the Seoul district have gotten involved in the cotton sanitary pad making programs. This made more citizens to grow interest in the sanitary pad problem and it caused more feminist groups to shout out for the ban of chemical ingredients in sanitary pads. Like ‘Girl’s Dream’, the contribution of national groups will save more women from danger.

세계난민의 날 6월 20일, 그리고 난민인권센터

6월에는 특별한 날이 있다. 바로 6월 20일 세계 난민의 날이다. 우리나라 사람들에게 조금은 생소한 난민의 날은 2001년부터 국제연합(UN)이 유엔총회특별 결의안을 통해 정해진 날이다. 이 날의 시초는 아프리카 난민의 날인데, 난민에 대한 세계 시민들의 관심을 촉구하기 위해 국제사회에서 세계 난민의 날로 확장하여 기념하고 있다.

현재 우리나라의 난민신청자는 4000여 명을 넘어섰으며 그 중에서 난민의 지위를 인정받아 우리나라에 살고 있는 사람은 290명 정도 이다. 또한 이 중 대부분은 미얀마와 방글라데시 출신의 난민 지위 인정자이고 콩고 민주공화국이 그 뒤를 잇고 있다. 다문화 시대, 난민은 숫자는 적지만 한국 사회의 일원임에 분명하다. 난민의 날을 맞아 한국에 있는 난민인권센터 김성인 사무국장과 인터뷰했다.

우리나라의 난민관련 단체는 피난처, 월드비전, 세이브더 칠드런 등 여러 개가 있지만 한국을 찾아온 난민을 실질적으로 도와주는 단체는 손에 꼽을 정도이다. 그러나 지금부터라도 우리가 난민에 대해 조금 더 관심을 갖는다면 난민을 돕는 손길도 언젠가는 늘어나지 않을까. 

Attractive mixture of Sahara and Mediterranean

- The Seoul Youth Center for Cultural Exchange (MIZY Center) hosted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government will have the 'month of Morocco' in December with the cooperation of the Embassy of Morocco from Dec. 2 to the 16th

- With the topic of Moroccan food, traditional costumes, and world heritage.

Located at the western edge of North Africa where both African and Islamic culture are co-existed, Morocco is known as “Africa’s small Arab.” As the last event of 'Mizy - Embassy Program' in 2011, Morocco month would be introduced from Dec. 2nd to the 16th.

With the cooperation of the Embassy of Morocco, students get a chance to leaern about Moroccan culinary culture, traditional clothes and World heritages in Morocco. Having elementary students as participants, all the programs are going to have fun activities and Said Dahabi, the First Secretary of Morocco Embassy, will introduce Moroco culture with the help of other Moroccans currently living in South Korea.

On Dec 3, the first program will be opened on the subject of 'food'. Students are expected to learn about the culinary culture and actually make Moroccan food 'bageurireu (Baghrir)' which is to be conducted over two hours. On Wednesday Dec 7 at 4:00 p.m. to 6:00, students will investigate about traditional Moroccan-themed clothing ( appeared as boasting brilliant colors of unique patterns). After then, they get to play some of Moroccan traditional games. At the last program, which will be on 10th December, 'Fez' and 'Marrakesh (Marrakeck)' known as the most popular World Heritage sites in Morocco will be examined.

During the period of events, December 2nd to the 16th, abundant exhibition materials are being displayed starting with the tradition of Moroccan salon and exhibits included with a recreational examination of the Sahara Desert. Moroccan flavors of traditional costumes and crafts will also be disclosed. This is where pretty much anyone could observe the spectacles of Moroccan culture.

Prospective participants who are interested about this event can visit the website (www.mizy.net) and download the application form which should be completed and submitted.

Entrance Fee is 5,000 won per person. This is a first-come-first-served basis.

Please Contact: 02-755-1024 (ext 114)

[11월30일자_영문_Press Release]모로코의 달, 미.hwp

MIZY & Embassy Project 'Danish Month' Held from May 11st to June 1st at MIZY Center

  


What comes to your mind when you hear the word 'Denmark'?
To most Korean youth, Denmark is an unfamiliar country where they only can relate to 'Denmark diet' and or yogurt. This May, Denmark meets Korean youth, starting from the 11th to June 1st, in a cultural exchange program held at Seoul Youth Center for Cultural Exchange (MIZY Center). Denmark, a far away Northern European country but in fact very near.

Meet LEGO in 'Danish Month'!

For May is a month for family, the theme for 'Danish Month' is Lego, Denmark's worldwide children's toy. 'Danish Month' is part of MIZY & Embassy program held by MIZY Center and Embassy of Denmark in Republic of Korea. It will open with 'Lego day' on May 11st and visitors can experience Lego throughout the whole month in the exhibition at the center. Especially on 'Lego day', children will have a chance to use their creativity and imagination through Lego competition. The winners of the competition will be given small boxes of Lego provided by Lego Korea.

Various Denmark Attractions

This month's MIZY & Embassy program will hold an event especially for under priviledged children, the children will have an opportunity to bake Danish sweet bun 'fastelavnsboller' with embassy staff, free of charge. Also on 17th 'Meatball day', participants can cook Danish meatball 'frikadeller', and on 24th 'Andersen Day', there will be Andersen storytelling, drawing favorite Andersen characters and other various activities ready. Meanwhile, the exhibition of Danish ceramics 'Royal Copenhagen' and Danish children's books will be set, in addition of photo zone, where children can be the Queen of Denmark and marching Tivoli soldiers.

Cultural Exchange Opportunity with Danish Students

In addition, on 21st of May, an event for upper grade students from middle school to university will be held, where students can have casual talk with Danish students about each other's culture. The participants will be provided Denmark's favorite food, open sandwich 'smørrebrød'. Especially, Peter Lysholt Hansen, Ambassador of the Embassy of Denmark in Republic of Korea, will visit MIZY center this day to share words about Danish culture and education for Korean students who are interested in Denmark.

Those would like to participate can register by downloading the application from MIZY Center website(www.mizy.net) The fee is 5,000 won. (Under priviledged children program excluded) RSVPs are on a first-come first-served basis. The MIZY Center is a specialized place for a diversity of cultures, currently operated by the Korean National Commission for UNESCO under the auspices of the Seoul Metropolitan Government, which have been hosting MIZY-Embassy program as multicultural education program since 2007.

MIZY-Embassy 'Danish Month' Outline

1. Theme : LET'S GO, DENMARK!

2. Programs

A. Program Outline

 1) Participants : Elementary, junior high, high school and university students

 2) Date : May 11th - June 1st

 3) Venue: MIZY Center

 4) Fee : 5,000 won (Free of charge for under privileged children)

B. Program Detail

   1) Elementary School Program

  2) University Student Program(Junior high and high school students allowed)

  3) Exhibition (5.11~6.1)
    
     -Danish ceramics, books, photo zone, banner, pictures and etc.

Seoul Youth Center for Cultural Exchange ‘MIZY’ has published new brochures for MIZY Center and its programs.

The MIZY Center brochure, refreshing with its green cover, provides detailed description of MIZY Center as well as the information on the center’s core values and public facilities. With combination of colorful pictures and the delicate design, the brochure is recreated with visual fun.

Regarding the MIZY Program Guide 2011, the brochure includes simple information on MIZY Center, along with 8 programs from Multicultural Education Programs and 5 programs from External Relations Programs. The provision of various images of each program increases the understanding of the programs. In addition, the brochure is published in English in order for foreigners who are interested in programs of MIZY.

The new brochures of MIZY can be found at the center.

As spring is coming near, MIZY greeted two new employees in the center, just as bright as the upcoming season. They are Young Ju Kim, who will direct all the busy flowing programs of MIZY, and Jiian Lee, who will be in charge of Global Youth Leadership Training Program and Creative Leaders in Seoul.

We give our sincere welcome for the two who will work for development of Seoul youth through cultural exchanges, and we look forward to their time with MIZY.

Young Ju Kim, with the staff of Korean National Commission for UNESCO

 with her appointment certificate. (Second from the left)