THERE is much to learn from Jeju Island in the Republic of Korea and we are fortunate that it warmly welcomes visitors. Richly blessed by Mother Nature and cherished by its citizens, it was chosen in 2011 as one of the “New 7 Wonders of Nature” and was also designated as the “Island of World Peace” in 2005. The harmonious co-existence of nature and the people in Jeju continuously inspires the region and beyond through the Jeju Forum.
On 20-22 May 2015, UCLG ASPAC Secretary General Dr. Bernadia participated in the 10th Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity. Among the hosts of the event held at Haevichi Hotel & Resort is the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, with the full support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea.
The theme of this year’s landmark gathering is “Towards a New Asia of Trust and Harmony,” consistent with the Jeju Forum’s long history of focusing on peace and community building in the East Asian Region. Since its inauguration in 2001, the event has established itself as one of the major international forums in Asia, with prominent speakers and high-profile participants regularly attending. This year’s VIPs include the former President of Indonesia, Dr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
The Secretary General contributed in the dialogues as a discussant in the sessions on “Lessons Learned in Natural Disaster Management in Asia-Pacific: Role of Local Governments” (jointly organized by UNITAR CIFAL Jeju/JITC, Jeju Provincial Government, UNISDR, and UCLG ASPAC), and the “Executive City Dialogue: Building Trust in Local Governments through e-Government” (jointly organized by World e-Governments Organization [WeGO] and the United Nations Project Office on Governance [UNPOG]).
She also attended the session on “Post 7th World Water Forum” and “Increasing Developing Countries’ Access to Climate Finance” – noting the inter-relatedness of global issues and the need for holistic solutions particularly for local governments in the Asia-Pacific region.
