Last August, the "25th World Scout Jamboree," with over 40,000 youth participants from over 150 countries aged 14 to 17, was held at the Saemangeum Campground in Jeollabuk-do and 14 other cities and counties. The World Jamboree, held once every four years, boasts a history of over 100 years as the youth cultural Olympics. However, what was supposed to be a "joyful festival" turned into a nightmare as images of youths collapsing from heatstroke and suffering from insect bites at the Saemangeum Campground spread worldwide through the media and social media platforms. When British and American Scout members left early, the government went into emergency mode. As a typhoon approached, the campground was closed, and over 36,000 foreign members were dispersed to eight cities and provinces for accommodation and activities, thanks to the cooperation of companies and universities in Gyeonggi-do, Chungcheongnam-do, Incheon, Seoul, Jeollabuk-do, and others. Yet, the Jamboree could not shake off its reputation as a failed international event.
Kim Eje, a professor at Kyungin National University and former ambassador for the Jamboree, said in an interview with the Seoul Economic Daily on the 16th, "Although the Jamboree is dismissed as a failed international event, Ahmad Alhendawi, Secretary-General of the World Scout Movement, paid attention, saying, 'Traveling Jamboree is a first.' " She emphasized, "Building relationships with overseas Scout members who experienced various activities nationwide beyond the Saemangeum Campground could turn the situation around." She earned a bachelor's degree in Geography Education from Seoul National University and a master's degree in Southeast Asian Studies from the Graduate School of International Studies at Seoul National University. She has been active as a global geography expert, working as a researcher at the Asia Research Institute of the National University of Singapore and the Graduate School of Education at the University of London before becoming a professor at Kyungin National University in 2008.
Currently, she is using online platforms to facilitate mutual understanding among youths from various countries by sharing photos and stories. Among them, a high school student named Casey from Cameroon is gaining popularity by introducing his daily life interestingly. Professor Kim said, "The 'JJ (Jeonbuk Jamboree) Friends,' mainly composed of Jeollabuk-do and metropolitan area high school students, who were active during the Jamboree, helped prepare for overseas youth trips." She added, "The over 100-country WhatsApp group created by them serves as a cyber embassy for foreign youth, and many foreign youths still appreciate JJ Friends." Currently, students from schools such as Seoul International High School, Incheon International High School, Suwon Foreign Language High School, Songdo High School, and Sejong International High School are exchanging with overseas Jamboree participants.
Having visited over 100 countries, Professor Kim said, "As Korea is deeply rooted in Western-centricism, it tends to focus less on Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America, which account for only about 10% of the world's population." She added, "For Korea to become a true leading country from a follower, it must have geographical imagination and see the whole world." For example, expanding exchanges with Muslim countries such as Indonesia, which has the largest number of Scout members (approximately 20 million), Bangladesh, and Egypt, could help in exploring the halal market.
Professor Kim said, "Governors like Kim Dong-yeon, who took good care of nearly 20,000 overseas youth from 88 countries during the Jamboree, should continue to interact with Jamboree participants, which would help not only local but also national development." She suggested, "If Gyeonggi-do and other local governments select proactive youths who are eager to interact and learn with Korean participants and invite them again this summer, it would be great."
