Increasing Capacity, 7 Employees of MoSA Participate in Training for Youth Development in Seoul

SEOUL, (25 May 2023) - Since Monday (22/05), 7 officers from the Ministry of Social Affairs Republic of Indonesia along with 8 officers from DKI Jakarta Social Office have participated in the Invitational Training Program in Seoul, South Korea. 

This activity was carried out to support and strengthen the capacity of social welfare officers in developing and operating programs for young people in social rehabilitation centers.  "Hopefully through this activity, we can further strengthen cooperation between Indonesia and Korea for the development of the best programs for the community," said Director of World Vision Korea, Dr. Myunghwan CHO.

The activity with the theme Enhancing Social Rehabilitation Support for the Vulnerable Youth in Indonesia was carried out in collaboration with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).  This program is facilitated by several Korean international training institutions, such as World Vision Korea, Korea Institute for Development Strategy (KDS), and Re:bach International.

Participants from the Ministry of Social Affairs were social workers at the Directorate of Social Rehabilitation for Children, Elderly, and Disabilities, as well as social workers at 2 Technical Units, namely Handayani Center Jakarta and Efata Center Kupang.  In addition, there are also social counselors from the Directorate General of Social Protection and Security and the Directorate of Social Empowerment. 

On the first day, all delegates from Indonesia were given an activity orientation by the organizing committee.  Dr.  Myunghwan said he was grateful and welcomed the presence of all delegations from Indonesia. 

Then the activity continued with an opening greeting by a representative from Indonesia, Patrick Alexander, a social worker from Efata Center Kupang.  At the opening, he expressed his hope to be able to participate in supporting East Indonesian youths to also assist regional development.  "After this training, I will share the information and knowledge I got with my colleagues and young people in Kupang," he said. 

On the second day of activities, all delegates were introduced to social welfare programs implemented by the Seoul Metropolitan Government.  All delegates were introduced to an environmentally friendly, environment-friendly, new, and renewable energy building layout.  This building is surrounded by windows made of thermal glass which can be adjusted to the air temperature.

The window will automatically open and close according to room temperature.  All lighting power in this building uses solar thermal and geothermal energy.  The room of this building is also overgrown with many plants which also help the process of good air exchange so that it can help protect the environment. 

The Seoul Metropolitan Government Building is also prepared for the public so that all Seoul residents can relax, meet with colleagues or friends, and make the most of the spaces in the building.  Inside the Seoul Work Building, there is also a museum that shows the history of the establishment of the old building, from 1946 until the construction of the new building, today.

On the second day, all delegations were given the material on national issues in Korea, delivered directly by the Project Manager and Lecturer in Social Welfare, Samyung University, South Korea, Prof.  Dr.  Young Joon Hong.  Professor Hong stated that the biggest national issue in Korea now, there are two things related to polarization and low birth rates.

Professor Hong added that currently Korea is ranked 9th or 10th with the best economic improvement in the world.  Prof.  Hong also directly mentored the presentation of social welfare issues delivered by each delegation from Indonesia.  Later, Prof.  Hong also directly assisted, directed, and monitored the implementation of the action plan when all the Delegates returned to Indonesia.

On the third day, all delegates made observations on child rights assurance services at the National Center for the Rights of the Child (NCRC).  The entire explanation of the program at NCRC was delivered by the Head of the Child Rights Guarantee Agency, Chung Ick Chong. 

He explained that the flagship program run by NCRC is the Dream Start Program which consists of public services, mandatory services, or private services.  "We carry out the main interventions when responding to child cases, namely health checks, psychological examinations, parent and child support, and action," explained Chong.  He also added that there is social security for underprivileged children and protection for all kinds of child cases.

The observation visit continued to the Korean Social Security Information Service (SSIS).  At this Institute, all Delegates were explained the data management process for the Korean people.  An explanation of the SSIS program was delivered directly by the Head of Social Security Information Services, Prof.  Kim Min Seo.  He explained that SSIS had only been established in 2009 under the Korean Government, specifically the Ministry of Health and Welfare.  Before 2009, this data center had not been built and it was still challenging to integrate data from the community.

"The data collected at SSIS will then be shared with other related agencies to support other policy-making.  All public data is kept confidential, and we have a representative place and experts in their fields," said Kim.

All Delegates are welcome to see the data management system in Korea.

Next, the observation visit continued to the Galhyun Youth Center.  This center is a shelter where youth can develop their potential and learn new skills.  There are two types of services, namely for ordinary teenagers and for vulnerable teenagers, especially teenagers who have left their homes.

The head of the Galhyun Youth Center, Chu explained that the service delivery time is 7 days to 6 months.  Many facilities support the development of youth potential including cafe management, a multimedia room consisting of dance and singing practice rooms, broadcast rooms, programmer rooms, cooking and baking practice rooms for making bread and cakes, playrooms, dormitories, or restrooms.  "This center was built to help provide emergency protection for vulnerable youth as well as a place for good potential development for youth," he said.

The last observation visit was on the third day, namely to the Eunpyong District Office.  This district is one of the best districts in implementing community empowerment.  This district has several programs including elderly care, single-family care, creating an inclusive life for persons with disabilities, and others.  On this occasion, the Deputy Head of the Eunpyong District, Shin Jung U also explained that most of the elderly can still be productive and are assisted directly for their empowerment.  "If he wants to grow crops, we will conduct a home visit consultation to see what his needs are," said Shin.

In addition, this District also has one of the best centers for the development of persons with disabilities.  Many facilities can be utilized by persons with disabilities and there are also several entrepreneurship departments to help persons with disabilities become independent in preparing for their future.  Furthermore, learning about the social welfare system in Korea will still be continued with observation visits in the next five days.