International Exchange and Human Resource Development
"South Korea-Japan Exchange of Hearts" Program
ーWorking together on the issue of aging society
Specialist Training and International Exchange Seminar
This program aims to encourage the development and exchange of ideas in the welfare field between South Korea and Japan, two countries that share the common challenge of an aging society. It offers social workers and graduate students studying welfare a chance to learn about the welfare practices in both countries, share specialized knowledge and skills, and promote collaboration in the welfare sector.
Starting in 2024, the program will be improved and extended to a two-year format. We invite applications from young social workers and graduate students, up to 10 participants from each country, to participate in a six-day seminar held in Japan in 2024 and in South Korea in 2025.
The core component of the seminar is the "site visits," where participants will visit institutions that are utilizing innovative approaches in areas like aging, children, disabilities, and more. During these visits, participants will directly learn from these institutions. In the "summary" sessions, participants will share their thoughts and receive guidance from welfare experts. The program aims to broaden perspectives on welfare and provide an opportunity for participants to take a step forward to adopt new practices.
We are looking forward to receiving applications from young social workers who are actively involved in welfare work and graduate students who are studying social welfare.
Seminar Report
The foundation held the “South Korea-Japan Exchange of Hearts” Program in Seoul, Korea
On September 13 in 2013, the foundation held the “South Korea-Japan Exchange of Hearts” symposium under the theme of “Social welfare for the elderly and the role of a local government.” Also, The foundation conducted a week-long “Specialist Training and International Exchange Seminar” from September 8 to 15, and dispatched 8 Social workers and graduate students from Japan.
The symposium was held at Soongsil University in Seoul. At the venue of “Han Gyung-jik” memorial hall, about 300 welfare professionals and general public attended the symposium even in the rain.
Both of Korea and Japan have been facing rapid aging and very low birth rate, therefore both countries implement the long-term care insurance system for the purpose to socialize care services. In order to deal with the various needs of local elderly, there are several issues such as ensuring of the local government revenue and human resources in welfare, and networking. Problem-solving of elderly welfare accompanied with falling birth rate and the aging population becomes the most prominent concern in both countries. At this symposium, specialists in each country delivered speeches on how to seek the role of a local government in elderly care.
At the “Specialist Training and International Exchange Program” that was conducted during the same week of the symposium, the foundation aims to foster young specialists in welfare who lead the next generation in both Korea and Japan. Participants visited institutions which promote a progressive approach focusing on the field of the aged, children, and disabled. They had opportunities to listen to the experts and also attended classes in the graduate school to improve understanding of social situation and social welfare policy. With considering the daily welfare practice in Japan, they were stimulated with lots of new things through the seminar.
