IGEE Proceedings

Advancing SDG 16 through political participation on social media: A Comparative Study of Social Capital between South Korea and the United States: In Han Song, Kyeong Won Lee; IGEE Proc. 2024;1(1):32-49. Published online September 30, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.69841/igee.2024.004

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The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG 16) aims to promote peaceful, inclusive societies and build effective, accountable institutions. Despite the growing influence of online media on political activities in the digital age and the increasing importance of achieving SDG 16 through political participation, there has been a lack of empirical research on this topic. This cross-cultural comparative study investigates the relationships among online communication, social capital, and political participation in South Korea and the United States. Online surveys were conducted in both countries, focusing on people's interest and trust in online communication, types of online social capital (bonding and bridging), and engagement in conventional and unconventional forms of political participation. Our findings underscore the pivotal role of social media as a platform for citizens to voice their political opinions and partake in democratic processes. We discovered a significant correlation between heightened interest and trust in online communication and increased political participation in both countries. This correlation is instrumental in achieving SDG 16.7, which advocates for inclusive and participatory decision-making. This study also highlights the nuanced differences in the relationship between online social capital and political participation. In South Korea, bridging online social capital is associated with unconventional political activities, whereas in the United States, bonding online social capital is linked to these forms of engagement. However, in both countries, participation in presidential elections is associated with bridging online social capital, providing a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics at play. The potential of social media to expand opportunities for citizens to participate in the political process and hold their governments accountable contributes to achieving SDG 16.6, which aims to develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions. However, the study also serves as a reminder of the challenges posed by online polarization and misinformation. To fully realize the benefits of social media in promoting inclusive and sustainable social development, addressing these issues and fostering healthy online communities are essential.In conclusion, this study underscores the importance of promoting online communication and building robust online communities as key strategies for achieving SDG 16, engaging a wide range of stakeholders in the process of building a more equitable and sustainable future.; Summary

South Korea’s existential public health emergency: Tackling the low birth rate, loneliness, and suicide crisis: Peter J. Na, Hae-Won Ryoo, Jim Yong Kim; IGEE Proc. 2024;1(1):50-53. Published online September 30, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.69841/igee.2024.005

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South Korea is facing a critical public health emergency characterized by a rapidly declining birth rate, increasing loneliness, and high suicide rates. The fertility rate dropped to 0.72 children per woman in 2023, significantly below the OECD average. This decline is attributed to economic burdens, gender inequality, and changing societal norms. If these trends continue, the youth population could halve by 2040 compared to 2023, severely impacting the nation’s economy and demographic structure. Simultaneously, loneliness has become a significant issue, with over a third of Koreans living alone and a rise in deaths from isolation, particularly among middle-aged and older men. South Korea also faces a severe mental health crisis, marked by high rates of depression and the highest suicide rate among OECD countries for the past 25 years. Troublingly, recent trends indicate an increase in suicides among younger age groups. Efforts to address these issues have included government initiatives for mental health support, but these remain underfunded and insufficient compared to international standards. Additionally, the stigma surrounding mental health persists. South Korea can learn from countries like Japan and the UK, which have implemented successful interventions focusing on social integration and mental health. Addressing these intertwined crises requires collective action and a robust policy response to ensure a sustainable future for South Korea.; Summary

Technological Determinism in Smart Cities: AI’s Role in Urban Transformation and Workforce Disruption in Singapore: Jee Won Kim; IGEE Proc. 2025;2(1):20-30. Published online February 27, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.69841/igee.2025.008

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Through the perspective of technological determinism, this study investigates the dual effects of artificial intelligence (AI) in Singapore's Smart Nation plan. Artificial intelligence has been incorporated into waste management, energy systems, and transportation to enhance resource efficiency and reduce carbon emissions, targeting positive impacts on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. However, the development of AI has raised concerns about SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, as workforce disruptions disproportionately affect low-skilled employment. This essay critically assesses these trade-offs, highlighting the ethical and human factors that are frequently disregarded throughout technological advancements. It draws attention to the pressing need for legal frameworks that strike a balance between workforce inclusion, technological innovation, and ethical AI deployment by comparing data from before and after AI implementation. Additionally, it highlights how external factors–such as the infrastructure, regulatory policies, and public engagement–may alter the effectiveness and society impact of AI in smart cities. Through the suggested policies, this paper aims to guide nations around the world toward a sustainable, smart city while critically examining the setbacks and benefits of AI.; Summary

Establishing the ESD and GCEd system in higher education: Analyzing the holistic approach of Yonsei University in South Korea: Jae Eun Shin, Eun Kyoung Rhee, Shinki An, Younah Kang, Keeheon Lee, In Han Song; IGEE Proc. 2024;1(1):6-19. Published online September 30, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.69841/igee.2024.002

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Purpose
This study assesses the Global Citizenship Education (GCEd) and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) initiatives at the Yonsei Institute of Global Engagement and Empowerment (IGEE). The objective is to identify strengths and areas for improvement in promoting ESD and GCEd principles and contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Design/Methodology/Approach: This research employs a comprehensive analysis framework to evaluate Yonsei IGEE's initiatives, including the "Understanding Sustainable Development with Ban Ki-moon" lectures, "Social Engagement Fund (SEF)" research program, "SDG Initiative," and "Global Engagement and Empowerment Forum (GEEF))." It considers objectives, environmental focus, pedagogical strategies, topic coverage, learning dimensions, and outcome measurement. Findings: Yonsei IGEE initiatives demonstrate strengths in terms of clear objectives, environmental focus, and pedagogical strategies. They complement each other, fostering synergy in promoting ESD and GCEd principles. The lecture series offers a holistic view of SDG issues, whereas SEF empowers students to address challenges practically. The SDG Initiative guides Yonsei's research community, and GEEF disseminates SDG knowledge and fosters collaboration. Originality: This study contributes originality in two aspects. First, it presents an innovative evaluation framework specifically designed to assess the diverse GCEd and ESD programs at Yonsei IGEE. This framework serves as a valuable tool for future evaluations of similar initiatives in higher education institutions. Second, the data and contents analyzed in this research, drawn from Yonsei IGEE's programs, are novel and provide unique insights into the efficacy of the GCEd and ESD efforts.; Summary

The Current Status and Future of Yonsei University's Transition to a Carbon-Neutral Campus: Focused on Energy Consumption and Greenhouse Gas(GHG) Emission Characteristics: Haeyeong Choi; IGEE Proc. 2025;2(1):31-42. Published online February 27, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.69841/igee.2025.009

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This study presents the current status of Yonsei University’s efforts toward carbon neutrality, with a focus on energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission characteristics. Based on these findings, the study proposes directions and solutions for transitioning to a carbon-neutral campus from three perspectives: energy-saving strategies, changes in governence , educational and academic accessibility. Among them, the first one is the main focus of this study. On November 27, 2024, Yonsei University participated in the 'Joint Declaration Ceremony of Four Universities for the Sustainable Campus Initiative', held in Global Green Growth Institute(GGGI). In declaration, Yonsei University committed to the fulfillment of its environmental and social responsibilities and laying a foundation for addressing global challenges with Seoul National University, Korea University, and Postech. Analyzation was conducted from various perspectives: energy consumption, GHG emission, the correlations between the two, energy usage patterns by building types, and change in the pattern of energy usage over a year and a month. The following briefly presents three scenarios from different perspectives. Firstly, Buildings - especially STEM and research centers - and energy fixing facilities should be strictly managed to reduce energy. Plus, assessing energy consumption during non-peak hours, such as late at night and on weekends, is also needed to determine if it aligns with actual activities. Installing more energy-efficient heating/cooling systems. Secondly, enhancing governance structure dealing with this issue is suggested as the solutions. It can be efficiently conduced by leveraging its existing systems in a way to collaborate and discuss together. And they should annually publish carbon-neutral scenarios, ESG reports, and current status of renewable energy. They also should improve the transparancy and accuracy of publicly available energy-related information. Third, the study suggests increasing financial support for students and researchers in environmental-related departments. In addition, fostering interest among the broader Yonsei community and establishing a symbolic Carbon Neutrality Center are also proposed.; Summary

Evaluating How the Concentration of Chitosan Affects the Properties of Bioplastic in Terms of its Biodegradation Rate: Czarina Royce H. Rebanal; IGEE Proc. 2025;2(1):43-52. Published online February 27, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.69841/igee.2025.010

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We encounter plastic materials daily. Many companies opt to use plastic in manufacturing their products to keep production costs low, hence making it affordable for consumers. Though this makes it easier for consumers to buy daily necessities, plastic industries release 1.34 billion tons of greenhouse gas annually. Additionally, plastic persists in the environment because of its extremely low rate of biodegradation. The plastic build up has led to dangerous levels of plastic pollution which has affected wildlife, climate, and human health. A prominent solution to this problem is the ongoing research on bioplastics, plastics made from renewable sources (like microbes and plants) instead of petroleum. The current issue with these bioplastics though, is that they are not as durable as normal plastic since these renewable materials easily degrade. The rigorous search for a material that combats synthetic plastic’s durability has led to the research on chitosan, a biodegradable sugar found in the exoskeleton of shellfish. Due to its antimicrobial properties, it has a lower degradation rate compared to other bioplastics. This makes the durability of chitosan-based bioplastics comparable to synthetic plastics. Through this research, the durability of chitosan-based bioplastics will be tested through a soil burial test and tensile strength test. This research discusses how varying the concentration of chitosan in chitosan-based bioplastics mimics natural biodegradation mechanisms whilst combating the durability of synthetic plastics.; Summary

An Introduction to IGEE Proceedings’ 2025 Student Research Award Competition: Younah Kang; IGEE Proc. 2025;2(1):17-19. Published online February 18, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.69841/igee.2025.005

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Effective solution-building to prevent dropouts in Korea: The case of Q&A diary development^†: Sumin Kim; IGEE Proc. 2024;1(1):65-77. Published online September 30, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.69841/igee.2024.010

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The number of out-of-school youth in South Korea has been increasing recently, leading to a corresponding rise in school dropouts. Moreover, the importance of schools is also diminishing. However, schools are a national system designed to protect adolescents, and the collapse of this system is far from desirable. Despite this crisis, support policies for out-of-school youth remain overly simplistic. Current policies in South Korea regarding out-of-school youth are based on a fragmented understanding of these adolescents, focusing primarily on preventing dropouts. These policies fail to consider the various sociocultural backgrounds and contexts influencing adolescents’ decision to leave school. For example, “dropping out” and “academic discontinuation” are more problematic issues. The ultimate goal of this study is not only to prevent dropouts but also to assist adolescents in making the best decisions on the basis of a deep understanding of their identities. As a first step, a diary was designed to enhance self-understanding by fostering narrative identity formation. A user test was conducted to create a Q&A diary that can assist out-of-school youth, and a literature review was performed to design practical solutions for preventing dropouts. Ultimately, this paper proposes increasing the flexibility of the school system and strengthening self-understanding activities in career education as measures to prevent dropout.; Summary

The Importance of Trust and Empowerment in Advancing Human Knowledge: Insights from the 2024 Nobel Week: In Han Song; IGEE Proc. 2025;2(1):14-16. Published online February 13, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.69841/igee.2025.004

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A Visionary Leader's Reflections: Reimagining the SDGs Through a Majority World Lens: Puleng LenkaBula; IGEE Proc. 2025;2(1):6-8. Published online January 20, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.69841/igee.2025.003

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Care Economy in Korea: Beyond COVID-19 and Towards a Sustainable Caring Society: Nancy Folbre; IGEE Proc. 2025;2(1):9-11. Published online January 21, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.69841/igee.2025.001

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No Planet B: Embracing Data and Collaboration to Advance Sustainable Development: Ki-moon Ban; IGEE Proc. 2024;1(1):1-3. Published online September 30, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.69841/igee.2024.012

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Yonsei University’s Commitment to Sustainable Development: Advancing Global Sustainability Through Education, Research, and Service: Dong-Sup Yoon; IGEE Proc. 2025;2(1):1-5. Published online February 27, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.69841/igee.2025.006

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Global Peacebuilding: Miriam Coronel Ferrer; IGEE Proc. 2025;2(1):12-13. Published online February 13, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.69841/igee.2025.002

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The Urgent Call for Academic Action: Rebooting SDGs to Reset Our Future: Shinki An; IGEE Proc. 2024;1(1):20-31. Published online September 30, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.69841/igee.2024.003

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This manuscript, presented at GEEF2024, emphasizes the critical role of academia in revitalizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to address current global challenges. The SDGs, adopted in 2015, aim to eradicate poverty and promote sustainable development by 2030. However, progress has stalled due to financial constraints, governance issues, the COVID-19 pandemic, and geopolitical crises such as the Russian–Ukraine war. The COVID-19 pandemic has had multifaceted impacts, reversing poverty reduction trends and disrupting education and energy investments. It has also exacerbated social inequalities, leading to the conceptualization of COVID-19 as a syndemic, an ecodemic, and an econodemic. These terms highlight the pandemic's complex interplay with preexisting health issues, environmental degradation, and economic disparities. Geopolitical crises have further hindered SDG progress by disrupting food and energy supplies and diverting resources from sustainable development initiatives. Climate change, marked by unprecedented heatwaves and natural disasters, poses additional threats to achieving the SDGs. The need for carbon neutrality and effective international cooperation is more urgent than ever before. In this context, universities play a crucial role in advancing the SDGs through research, innovation, and community engagement. Engaged universities align their research agendas with the SDGs, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and developing solutions to global challenges. Yonsei University's Institute for Global Engagement and Empowerment (IGEE) exemplifies this approach with its Yonsei SDGs Initiative. By analyzing research outputs via natural language processing, the initiative aligns academic activities with SDGs, particularly in health and well-being. The GEEF2024 conference underscored the importance of innovative strategies and international cooperation in achieving the SDGs. Discussions highlighted the need to address mental health crises, low birth rates, and the care economy's undervaluation. The conference also emphasized the necessity of inclusive development strategies that reflect the perspectives and priorities of Africa and Asia. In conclusion, universities must integrate social engagement into their core missions to remain relevant and impactful. By prioritizing research, teaching, and services that contribute to sustainable development, academia can play a pivotal role in overcoming global challenges and achieving the SDGs.; Summary

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