Loden Foundation
unesco Beijing
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*Subject:** Invitation to Participate in the 'Cultural Cities International Forum' on September 28th
Dear Dr. Karma and friends,
I hope this message finds you well.
I would like to extend my sincere thanks for the warm hospitality extended to us during our visit to the Loden Foundation and the meditation center. Thanks to your kindness, I was able to broaden my understanding of Bhutan and have now safely returned to Korea.
Three years ago, I established and have been operating an NGO called Cultural Heritage Creativity Lab, which shares a vision similar to that of the Loden Foundation. I am committed to building a collaborative network with similar organizations in Korea that share this vision.
As part of this effort, I am organizing a remote video conference titled the "Cultural Cities International Forum" at the request of a local government in Korea known for its cultural heritage. The forum is scheduled for Saturday, September 28th, from 14:00 to 16:00 Korea time. The main focus will be on how small cities can protect and develop their cultural assets, and how they can evolve into attractive glocal cultural cities through international collaboration by sharing experiences and insights.
Expected participants include the Chairman of the Korean National Cultural Heritage Committee(Moderator), the Cultural Affairs Officer from the UNESCO Beijing Office, the Director of Research and Information at UNESCO-ICHCAP, and a senior cultural planner from the host city. It would be an honor to have a representative from the Loden Foundation join this forum.
The forum will be conducted via Zoom, with simultaneous interpretation between English and Korean. A modest honorarium is available for the preparation of presentation materials and the speaker's participation. It would be helpful if you could send your presentation materials by September 10th, so they can be included in the conference booklet.
I will share more detailed information as it becomes available from the organizing team. I look forward to your positive response and hope that we can continue to collaborate across various fields in the future.
Best regards,
Keum
Dr. Hanh,
It has been a while since we last communicated. I have heard that you are doing well and working diligently in Beijing. After leaving ICHCAP, I have been serving as an adjunct professor at the Korea National University of Cultural Heritage, where I teach graduate courses, while also establishing and operating an NGO related to cultural heritage utilization.
Recently, I received a request from Jindo County, a local government in Korea that is home to UNESCO-inscribed intangible heritage such as Arirang and Talchum, to organize an international conference on the preservation and utilization of cultural heritage. We are planning to hold the conference online via Zoom, and the chair of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee at the Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea has agreed to serve as the moderator. Park Wonmo, Director of the Research and Information Division at ICHCAP, will be presenting, and we have also requested a presentation from the director of the Loden Foundation in Bhutan.
I would like to invite you to this online conference as a speaker. It would be greatly appreciated if you could present for about 15 minutes, sharing your experiences and suggestions as a UNESCO cultural expert. The conference is scheduled for Saturday, September 28th, from 14:00 to 16:30 Korea time. A small honorarium will be provided as a token of our gratitude to the speakers. Once the event plans are finalized, I will provide you with more detailed information.
I look forward to your positive response and wish you continued health and happiness.
Best regards,
KEUM Gi Hyung
Hi! Hope everything goes well to you. Iam afraid if my message mailed couple of days ago reached you. I would appreciate your prompt reply much whether you are possible or not for the invitation. If not, I have to contact alternative soon to fix the time schedule. Many thanks. Keum
Dear Mr. Keum,I am not exactly clear at this point, what would be proper to present and for how long so I would appreciate some more information. You can consider our participation for the forum on September 28th. Best,Sangay
Dear Mr. Keum,
It’s great to hear from you. I’m glad to hear that you’re enjoying your post-ICHCAP life 
.
.I’d be happy to give a presentation at the conference. If you could suggest a more concrete topic, it would be easier for me to prepare.
Many thanks for your invitation and I look forward to hearing further from you.
Warm regards,
Hanh
Thank you for your quick reply. What we need is a presentation focused on summarizing the role the Loden Foundation in Bhutan has played in protecting cultural heritage, how it has been utilized in other fields, and its cooperative relationships with international organizations or other countries. Additionally, it would be great if you could share your thoughts or suggestions on how the Loden Foundation could collaborate with Jindo County or Korea in the future.Please prepare this presentation to be around 15 minutes long.Thank you.Keum
Dear Dr. Hanh,
I am delighted to receive your reply. Your participation in the international forum hosted by Jindo County on September 28th will greatly contribute to the success of the event, and I sincerely appreciate it.
The general theme of the forum revolves around how small towns like Jindo, with significant cultural assets, can protect, develop, and leverage their heritage while fostering international cooperation to transform into attractive glocal cultural cities. The forum will also explore opportunities to share experiences and strategies in this regard.
I will share more specific details with you once they are finalized. If possible, it would be greatly helpful if you could send your presentation materials or draft by September 10th for inclusion in the forum booklet.
I hope this event will serve as a starting point for more frequent communication between us. I also look forward to your interest and support for my new NGO, the Cultural Heritage Creativity Lab.
Wishing you health and happiness.
KEUM
As Sangay has written, he will be available for the meeting and I will join if the internet facilities in Tibet are available and allow me to
do so. I will know that soon after I arrive on 15 Sep and shall let you know. Anyhow, there is Sangay to share Loden’s perspectives and prospects.
Dear Keum nim,
With metta,
Karma
Dear Dr. Karma,
Thank you for your reply. I greatly appreciate that both you and Sangay will be attending the 'Jindo forum', and I am confident it will be a productive event.
I am attaching the concept paper on mountain trekking tourism that I previously shared with you. I believe it would be beneficial if the Bhutanese Royal Family or government could apply to the Korean government for ODA (Official Development Assistance) funding. This could help secure financial resources and technical training necessary for SOC (Social Overhead Capital) construction. The Loden Foundation could then run programs that incorporate Bhutan’s unique tourism and cultural content. If consulting or advisory support is needed during the process, I am willing to explore ways to connect you with relevant experts in Korea.
Our team members, who accompanied me during our visit to the Loden Foundation and the meditation center, are also discussing ways in which we can continuously engage with the activities and programs you are running. We are considering various methods for establishing a sustained collaborative relationship, including the possibility of my NGO acting as a bridge between our organizations.
I will continue to share updates with you, and I believe it would be beneficial to receive your feedback as we work to develop these ideas more concretely.
Best regards,
KEUM
FYI,
Tentative schedule of Zoom meeting updated on the date of 21 Aug . 15minute long presentation each.
Date/Location
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Date: September 28, 2024 (Saturday), 14:00 - 16:00
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Location: Near Cheonggye Square, Seoul, Meeting Room
Conference Title/Theme Proposal
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Option 1
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Title: Korea Cultural City Jindo Glocal International Forum 2024
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Theme: Jindo Cultural City’s Global Vision and International Solidarity
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Option 2
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Title: Jindo Cultural City Glocal International Forum 2024
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Theme: Future Strategies and International Solidarity for Cultural City Jindo
Conference Objectives
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To mark the selection of Jindo as a candidate for Korea’s Cultural City in 2024, this international conference will invite top-tier experts in cultural heritage from UNESCO and other global institutions. The aim is to explore ways for small regional cities to preserve and develop their cultural resources effectively, and build international solidarity, thereby strengthening Jindo’s competitiveness as a cultural city in the global market. Participants will share their experiences and insights during the conference.
Conference Participants (Tentative)
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Opening Remarks: Jindo County Governor (To be confirmed by Jindo County)
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Congratulatory Remarks: Bae Ki-dong, Honorary Professor at Hanyang University (Former Director of the National Museum of Korea, ICOMOS Korea Chair/Confirmed)
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Chairperson of Jindo County Council (To be confirmed by Jindo County)
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Chairperson: Cheon Jin-gi, Chairperson of the National Intangible Heritage Committee, National Heritage Administration (Confirmed)
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Presenters/Panelists:
◦
Park Won-mo (Head of Research and Information Office, UNESCO Asia-Pacific Intangible Cultural Heritage Center/Confirmed)
◦
Sangay Tshering (Chairman of the Loden Foundation, Kingdom of Bhutan/Confirmed)
◦
Doung Bich Hanh (Cultural Officer, UNESCO East Asia Office/Confirmed)
◦
Cultural Experts from Jindo (To be confirmed by Jindo County)If any confirmed participants cannot attend, experts from UNESCO Pacific Office or other equivalent professionals will replace them.
Progress Schedule
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Confirmation of Participants/Replacements: First confirmation by August 25, final confirmation of replacements by September 1
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Arrangements with Video Conferencing and Interpretation Specialists: Initial discussions by August 23, final arrangements by August 30
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Submission and Translation of Presentation Materials: First submission by September 10, second submission by September 15, translation to English by September 20
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Publication of Conference Guide/Booklets: First draft by September 22, second draft by September 25, 100 copies printed by September 26
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Setup of Video Conferencing/Interpretation Equipment: Installation and rehearsal on September 28 at 10:00, setup completion by 13:00
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Operation of Conference Information Desk: All day on September 28, with badges, nameplates, booklets, headsets, PCs, printers, etc.
Thank you, Mr. Keum!
Your NGO sounds interesting. Please share further information when you have a chance.
As we’re now talking, I was wondering if you have any contact in a fashion institute (or a fashion department in an art school)? In Busan or other small(er) cities would be good. We’re looking into starting a project on intangible cultural heritage and fashion for East Asia, and looking for institutions to join us.
Many thanks and best wishes,
Hanh
Dear Dr. Hanh,
Your effort to connect intangible cultural heritage with fashion sounds fascinating. Utilizing cultural heritage in creative industries or tourism is a field that I am particularly interested in as well.
I will look into suitable institutions, especially in smaller cities, that may be a good fit for your project. If you could share a more detailed concept paper, I can reach out to a few relevant institutions or schools and update you with the results.
Additionally, if the opportunity arises, our organization would also be happy to assist in any way we can.
Many thanks and best wishes,
Keum
FYI,
Tentative schedule of Zoom meeting updated on the date of 21 Aug . 15minute long presentation each.
Date/Location
•
Date: September 28, 2024 (Saturday), 14:00 - 16:00
•
Location: Near Cheonggye Square, Seoul, Meeting Room
Conference Title/Theme Proposal
•
Option 1
◦
Title: Korea Cultural City Jindo Glocal International Forum 2024
◦
Theme: Jindo Cultural City’s Global Vision and International Solidarity
•
Option 2
◦
Title: Jindo Cultural City Glocal International Forum 2024
◦
Theme: Future Strategies and International Solidarity for Cultural City Jindo
Conference Objectives
•
To mark the selection of Jindo as a candidate for Korea’s Cultural City in 2024, this international conference will invite top-tier experts in cultural heritage from UNESCO and other global institutions. The aim is to explore ways for small regional cities to preserve and develop their cultural resources effectively, and build international solidarity, thereby strengthening Jindo’s competitiveness as a cultural city in the global market. Participants will share their experiences and insights during the conference.
Conference Participants (Tentative)
•
Opening Remarks: Jindo County Governor (To be confirmed by Jindo County)
•
Congratulatory Remarks: Bae Ki-dong, Honorary Professor at Hanyang University (Former Director of the National Museum of Korea, ICOMOS Korea Chair/Confirmed)
◦
Chairperson of Jindo County Council (To be confirmed by Jindo County)
•
Chairperson: Cheon Jin-gi, Chairperson of the National Intangible Heritage Committee, National Heritage Administration (Confirmed)
•
Presenters/Panelists:
◦
Park Won-mo (Head of Research and Information Office, UNESCO Asia-Pacific Intangible Cultural Heritage Center/Confirmed)
◦
Sangay Tshering (Chairman of the Loden Foundation, Kingdom of Bhutan/Confirmed)
◦
Doung Bich Hanh (Cultural Officer, UNESCO East Asia Office/Confirmed)
◦
Cultural Experts from Jindo (To be confirmed by Jindo County)If any confirmed participants cannot attend, experts from UNESCO Pacific Office or other equivalent professionals will replace them.
Progress Schedule
•
Confirmation of Participants/Replacements: First confirmation by August 25, final confirmation of replacements by September 1
•
Arrangements with Video Conferencing and Interpretation Specialists: Initial discussions by August 23, final arrangements by August 30
•
Submission and Translation of Presentation Materials: First submission by September 10, second submission by September 15, translation to English by September 20
•
Publication of Conference Guide/Booklets: First draft by September 22, second draft by September 25, 100 copies printed by September 26
•
Setup of Video Conferencing/Interpretation Equipment: Installation and rehearsal on September 28 at 10:00, setup completion by 13:00
•
Operation of Conference Information Desk: All day on September 28, with badges, nameplates, booklets, headsets, PCs, printers, etc.
Thank you for sharing the Event info. In regard to your proposal prepared for Department of Tourism, Royal Government of Bhutan, a few feedback;
1. I feel that in your Tech Driven Proposal, certain features and contents mentioned might not be the best fit for the tourism model of Bhutan.
2. We see a good fit of working on a culturally driven Tourism Product Development Proposal and incorporating Technology, with Korea being known for promotion of Korean Culture and Bhutan attracting the majority of the Tourists for our Culture. If you think you would be interested in exploring other possible projects based around Culture and Tourism, we can see if the Department of Tourism would be interested in applying for an ODA grant.
Best,
Dear Mr. Sangay,
I agree with your opinion. As I have already explained, the document was prepared for the Minister of Labor and Employment and was shared with you for reference, to show what kind of content it included. Regardless of that, please let me know what the Loden Foundation could contribute moving forward, and I will think about it together with you.
In October, Director Park Won-mo from ICHCAP will be visiting Thimphu, Bhutan, for a meeting with the Ministry of Culture's library/archive center. I have requested that he take the opportunity to meet with you and Dr. Karma to discuss potential programs that we could work on together in collaboration with ICHCAP, my Cultural Heritage Creativity Lab, and the Loden Foundation.
In any case, I ask that you first focus on preparing well for the presentation at the virtual conference on September 28th. I will also support the collaboration between the delegation members from the previous visit and the Loden Foundation so that our partnership can become more publicly established.
Best regards,KEUM
Dear Mr. Keum,
Thank you for your support! Yes the institution(s) do not need to be in Busan. We are finalizing the concept note - I’ll be able to send it to you next week. Thank you for your patience and I look forward to further discussion.
Warm regards,
Hanh
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