5th Green Corps
Summary of the 5th Green Corps Report
-As one, To a Greener Future!-
The 5th Green Corps? arbor activity in Inner Mongolia, China, is an extension of reforestation activities held annually by Future Forest since 2002. 96 Green Corps, including 14 VIPs and 12 staff, visited China during April 3rd to 9th, 2006. During the week, some 500,000 trees were planted in the 150 hectare area of Kubuqi desert, Inner Mongolia. This year was special for the intention of the project, as it inaugurated the project ?Korea- China Great Green Wall?, which aims to plant a 28km long, 0.5 km deep ?greenbelt? across Kubuqi desert and stop not only the deforestation but Yellow dust storms that torments the Korean peninsula and Japan every Spring. Each participant paid the air fare of 300,000 KW.
During a week?s stay from April 3rd to 9th, 2006, 96 staff and youths visited barren areas outside Beijing and deserts of Inner Mongolia, and performed various duties as Green Corps. They included building the Korea-China Friendship Forest to combat desertification and yellow dust storms, and also the ?Friendship Forest? in Beijing, to celebrate the capital as an Olympic host of 2008. Also, in regard of the Kyoto Protocol which came to effect since 2005, there were various activities to enhance public awareness of environmental issues, such as a debate forum between the youths of Korea and China. However the activities were not only based on environmental issues. The Green Corps also had plenty of time to rejoice mutual history and culture through visiting historical spots and participating in volunteer acts together, and was able to build a strong, friendly human network.
The 5th Green Corps were selected during February 13th- 24th 2006, by applying through the Future Forest website (www.futureforest.org) or the school?s recommendation. Application examiners included the 1st & 3rd Green Corps, council members and staff of Future Forest. First, 120 students were selected through paper review then the final 60 were finalized after an interview held on March 4th. The characteristics sought after were: Previous leadership experiences in university or extracurricular activities, ability to perform duties in a foreign language (English, Chinese), awareness of environmental, economical, cultural and forestry issues in East-Asia, and previous volunteer experience in various sects.
The delegates attended a workshop on the March 11th and an inauguration ceremony on the March 18th. The workshop consisted of a series of seminars concerning environment, culture and economic issues of Korea-China. The Green Corps visited China during April 3rd to 9th, and the disbanding ceremony was held at 18rd of May 2003, in Hankook Ilbo building, 10th floor. Every member, staff and participants involved in this project were present as the participants presented their group studies and recordings of their journeys were shown as film.
Future Forest aims to not only provide network within the annual participants but to continue their friendship which would keep the spirit of Future Forest alive. We hope that the Green Corps does not finish their ties as a one-time event but maintain their interest in Korea- China environmental issues by taking part in other programs in the future.
