1. Establishment Plan for Sustainable Villages through Resolving Mongolian Ger District Issues

Authors: Eun-hye Song, Khuslen Bazarragchaa, Geon-young Kim, Sung-kwon Lee

Departments: School of Business; School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering; School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Confronting the intertwined crises of urban migration, environmental degradation, and social inequality in Mongolia’s ger districts, this project proposed a replicable sustainable village model. In quote of the authors:

“This study moves beyond the conventional climate refugee framework by analyzing these broader drivers of migration through structured surveys and in-depth interviews with both ger district residents and the general urban population.”

The study is commendable for its efforts to assist not only the residents of Mongolia’s ger districts and settlement areas but also the general public in Ulaanbaatar and those engaged in afforestation. The project’s multifaceted initiatives included infrastructure development, livestock farming, agricultural cooperatives, afforestation, and solar energy. The “Sustainable Village Master Plan” created for Salkhit reflects the team’s commitment to commercial, residential, and agricultural sustainability.

2. Education for Sustainable Development and Career for High School Students in Seogwipo

Authors: Younghyun Lee, Yumin Hahn, Gayoon Yang

Department: Underwood International College

This study piloted an integrated Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and career education program for high school students in Jeju, fostering both student agency and SDG literacy. The research highlighted the powerful potential of combining ESD with career education. Implemented as a well-structured, student-led initiative at Pyoseon High School, the program led to “statistically significant improvements in overall competency domains” and a notable shift in students’ perceptions—from passive, school-based views of sustainability to more active and personalized understandings.

3. Empowering Single Parent Households: A Web Platform to Address Systemic Gaps in Welfare and Care Support

Authors: Mingyu Park, Juhyeong Song, Jiwon Park

Department: College of Nursing

This project addressed the significant barriers single mothers in South Korea face in accessing welfare services, aiming to bridge information gaps and promote self-reliance through a comprehensive web platform. The team’s alignment with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) was clear in their words:

“Single parent households are placed on a continuum of choices from the moment they recognize their pregnancy. It is common for them to face these choices alone... The development of this platform is closely linked to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)... Specifically, SDG 3.7 aims to ensure universal access to family planning, sexual and reproductive health services, and information by 2030... Furthermore, in line with SDG 3.8... the platform was designed to offer user-friendly information on vaccination schedules and health check-ups.”

This team was commended for addressing the often-overlooked needs of a population that faces substantial barriers to accessing healthcare and related information. Their innovative use of a web-based platform, enhanced by AI tools, was commended for laying a strong foundation for inclusive digital welfare systems.

4. Bridging the Cognitive Digital Divide: A Prototype-Based Intervention for Elderly Learners in South Korea

Authors: Yeeun Kim, Haeyoon Shin, Soo Yeon Kim

Department: Department of Psychology, Statistics, & Business and Global Leaders College

This research tackled the digital literacy challenges faced by older adults in South Korea. Despite widespread smartphone ownership, digital proficiency remains low. Drawing on global best practices and cognitive aging research, the authors developed and evaluated Ee Eum, a prototype intervention for individuals aged 65 and older.

This project demonstrated that perceptual design elements—such as “high-contrast color combinations” and “enlarged text sizes (25–28pt)”—can significantly enhance legibility and reduce cognitive load. First Click Test accuracy improved from 39.79% to 86.02% after implementation. This study contributed meaningfully to conversations on digital equity and gerontechnology.

5. Analysis of the Correlation Between Health Status and Social Factors Among Korean Care Workers

Authors: YeJin Yun, Yuna Kim, Miyeon Yoon, Sejin Park

Department: College of Medicine & College of Nursing

This study examined the health and labor conditions of care workers in South Korea, highlighting how job satisfaction, compensation, and work environment affect their well-being. Using surveys from 345 care workers and in-depth interviews, the study found a strong link between job satisfaction and health outcomes, while revealing systemic disparities across care work sectors.

The authors stated that despite facing “emotional burden, social invisibility, dissatisfaction with compensation, and the absence of grievance mechanisms,” many care workers derive purpose from their roles. The study supported the need for labor rights reform and aligned with SDGs 3, 5, and 8.

6. Bridging the Accessibility Gap: Investigating Challenges and Best Practices for Visually Impaired Individuals in STEM and Finance in North America—Policy Implications for South Korea

Authors: Juwon Cheong, Yunsung Chae, Jaeyoon Lee

Department: Underwood International College & College of Commerce and Economics

This research explored the lived experiences of visually impaired individuals in STEM and finance fields, using North American policy frameworks to inform Korean reforms. Drawing on laws like the European Accessibility Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, the team investigated real-world accessibility barriers and solutions.

Interviews with blind professionals and students in South Korea provided critical insights into institutional gaps. The project contributed especially to SDG 4 (inclusive education) and SDG 10 (reduced inequalities) by proposing actionable steps to improve digital and educational accessibility.

These projects were a testament to the creativity, rigor, and empathy of Yonsei’s student community. SEF 2024 reminded us that the SDGs are not abstract targets but lived commitments—shaped by our community’s commitment to foster a more sustainable world.

We extend our deepest congratulations to all SEF 2024 finalists and look forward to the continued impact of their work.

Warm regards,

Eun Kyoung Rhee & Sarah Soyeon Oh

Institute for Global Engagement & Empowerment (IGEE)

Yonsei University

Sarah Soyeon Oh is a research professor at the Institute for Global Engagement & Empowerment (IGEE) at Yonsei University, where she helps coordinate the Social Engagement Fund and leads a range of research projects focused on sustainable development and student empowerment. With a background in public health, Oh’s primary interests include applying machine learning and statistical analyses techniques to maternal and child epidemiological research to build inclusive support systems for underrepresented communities.

Eun Kyoung Rhee is a visiting professor at Yonsei University’s Institute for Global Engagement & Empowerment (IGEE), where she supports the Social Engagement Fund and conducts research on sustainable development. With a background in Political Science, her work focuses on balanced regional development as a core strategy for achieving sustainable development, exploring policy approaches and practical solutions to address social challenges such as regional decline.

Figure 1.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) addressed by SEF 2024

Figure & Data

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