Continuing from our last year's participation, JTL Executive members represented Canada again at the 14th Future Leaders Conference, hosted by Overseas Korean Foundation. The Overseas Korean Foundation is a non-profit organization, affiliated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Korea. The organization was founded in October of 1997 in accordance with the laws designed specifically for foundations intended for overseas Koreans, is soley committed to providing support to 7 millions Koreans all around the world. Their main projects include Future Leaders Conference, HanSang (Korean Business), World Korean Association Presidents’ Conference, and many others. OKF is JoinTheLeaders’ official organizational sponsor.
About Future Leaders conference (FLC)
Every year, OKF hosts a conference with young and highly influential Korean future leaders in the world. Through this conference, the organization hopes to invite future leaders in the areas of politics, society, and economy, so that they can promote growth and strengthen the overseas Korean society. The 14th annual conference was hosted in Seoul in October 2011.
Program of the 14th conference included:
- Banquet hosted by The Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Participating in the 5th Korean Day Ceremony at COEX
- Experiencing Korean Traditional Culture at Hanok Maeul
- Participating in the Korean Festival at KBS Hall
- Future Leaders Forum about the activities that the future leaders are taking and the definition of being a Global Korean
- Leaders Networking Night
- Panmunjeom Tour at DMZ
- Visit to The Prime Minister’s Official Residence
Testimonial
We had three members representing JoinTheLeaders at FLC 2011!
Through the strong recommendation of our senior JoinTheLeaders executives that have experienced the conference in the past, it was an honor to have applied and be selected as one of the 100 international leaders to attend the 14th Future Leaders Conference in 2011. The unique personalities that were brought together in the center of Seoul were delightfully surprising and truly inspiring. It was a great opportunity to define and realize the meaning of being a ‘Global Korean’, especially when 99 other individuals were living the definition everyday in different areas of the globe. The opportunity to meet accomplished leaders such as the Prime Minister of Korea and celebrate National Korean Day in our homeland was a humbling experience. Through the careful planning of the Overseas Korean Foundation (OKF), the everlasting friendships that were created, and the positive motivation that I gained to better myself going forward and represent the country of Korea, I would recommend this conference to anyone who is looking for an internationally educational experience. - Kevin Kim from JoinTheLeaders East Chapter (Toronto)
With 100 participants across the globe, I am grateful to have shared my Canadian perspective among the amazing professionals I have met at the conference. All of us were able to celebrate our new friendships through a bond among us, with our proud Korean heritage uniting us all. The program has addressed some of the fundamental questions that we as Koreans abroad have always had at the back of our minds; indeed we are still, and always will be Korean, at heart, and in soul, no matter where we are. - Chris Heebum Lee from JoinTheLeaders West Chapter (Vancouver)
Clearly an eye opener. A chance to feel what it is like to be a leader with a Korean Heritage in a global setting. The 14th Future Leaders Conference was truly an opportunity of a life time. Rarely does one have an opportunity to meet young, growing individuals that have accomplished so much in their field, overcoming countless obstacles just because of the fact that they are not a majority. My invitation to Seoul was filled with surprises and amazements, as more than often thought how privileged I was to share my experiences and to listen to others who are striving to be the best, as Koreans. My sincere thanks go to the OverSeas Korean Foundation (OKF) for organizing such a wonderful event and thoughtful execution of a well planned event to make this experience worthwhile. Inspirational thoughts about how the future generation of Korean-Canadians would impact not only Canada, but globally, and the conference’s key message, the definition of ‘Global Korean’, were the two biggest takeaways. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for that jolt of energy to go beyond; feel what it takes to be a leader while society tells otherwise. - Hyunjun Park from JoinTheLeaders West Chapter (Calgary)
Event Photos (Provided by OKF and friends)
More photos can be found on our Facebook Page!