HYU Co-Hosts ‘International Forum We, the Youth 2025’ Final Conference, Discussing Sustainable Future with Global Youth

Hanyang University(Lee Ki-jeong as President) announced the successful conclusion of the ‘International Forum We, the Youth(IFWY) 2025’ Final Conference, held on its Seoul campus from October 27th to 29th.

The forum, themed 'Connect for Change,' saw 141 youth delegates from 67 countries participate in person, with a massive audience of over 27,000 young people from 161 countries joining both online and offline. The event was jointly hosted by the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development(UNRISD), MBC, Hanyang University, and Eunpyeong-gu. Hanyang University fully supported the forum's operation and provided key campus venues to allow global youth to directly engage with international agendas.

At the opening ceremony, held on October 27th in the International Conference Room of the Paiknam Academic Information Center and Library, Co-organizing Committee Chairman Lee Ki-jeong, President of Hanyang University, stated, "This forum is a stage where the will and solidarity of youth determined to change the world become reality. I hope this platform serves as a new starting point that connects all of your dreams." Following this, President Lee Jae-myung delivered a written congratulatory message, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation among the youth generation, while National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik attended in person to give the keynote speech. Congratulations from various sectors, including a video message from Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, further underscored the significance and stature of the forum.

Over two days, on October 27th and 28th, open sessions focusing on social, economic, and environmental issues were held across major campus locations, including the Paiknam Academic Information Center and Library, HIT, and Paiknam Concert Hall. Domestic and international speakers, such as Minister of SMEs and Startups, Han Sung-sook, Seoul National University Professor Lee Sang-mook, Viva Republica(Toss) CEO Lee Seung-gun, and Chairman of Presidential Committee for Decentralization and Balanced Development Kim Kyeong-soo, participated in dialogues with the youth, seeking practical solutions to real-world problems.

Notably, the 'Hanyang Square' session on October 28th featured lectures on ‘Futuremakership’ by Shin Hyun-sang, Director of Hanyang University’s Global Social Innovation Foundation, and Professors Kim Tae-ri and Kim Yu-ri from the Division of International Studies. Two teams of current Hanyang students presented their perspectives on what it means to be a 'Futuremaker.' A lively discussion followed with international participants, broadening the consensus on the values and leadership roles young people envision for the future.

The closing ceremony took place on the final day, October 29th, at Jingwansa Temple in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul. In the setting of the thousand-year-old temple, participants reflected on the discussions held during the forum, reaffirming the significance of solidarity and practical action. The event culminated with the announcement of the ‘IFWY 2025 Eunpyeong Declaration,’ where global youth shared current issues facing their respective nations and presented insights gathered from the various speakers.

The declaration involves nine global recommendations for the international community to pursue by 2030, reconfiguring education as a foundation for peace and technological capacity, institutionalizing youth participation, establishing a global green alliance for climate response, creating a youth economic inclusion fund, strengthening global peace and dialogue infrastructure.

In his closing address, President Lee Ki-jeong stated, "This forum was not merely an academic event; it was a field of action that transcended nationality, language, generation, and culture to advance toward a just and sustainable world. I hope the courage and sense of justice imprinted in your hearts will ignite across the globe."

IFWY(International Forum We, the Youth) serves as a global platform enabling young people to act and unite for a sustainable future, and this Final Conference in Seoul successfully unified the voices of youth from around the world.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary in social innovation, Hanyang University used its co-hosting role to share its vision of nurturing 'Futuremakers' on the world stage, once again solidifying its status as a leading global university in social innovation.