“In Korea, the number of multicultural families is increasing, and in the global era of representing the Earth as a village, creating a happy place to live together.” - Ju Hyun Yoo
Multiculturalism has become a new family norm in Korea. However, while it has fostered unity in diversity, there have also been instances of stress resulting from cultural adaptation to multicultural families. In Korea, the differences in culture and social prejudices stemming from language, culture, and economic issues have created friction in multicultural families making it difficult to adapt to life in Korea. The lack of social awareness add to stresses on multicultural families.
Ju Hyun Yoo started “Campaign Go with Smile - Break the Preconception,” to help multicultural families understand and flourish in school life as well as break prejudices towards multicultural families. The campaign helped families and the general school community cultivate empathy and cultural appreciation. The campaign run from March to September 2021, Ju Hyun Yoo with 15 multicultural families in Seocho, Korea. Families met together once a week and engaged in online and offline activities to discuss and support one another as well as engage in Family Volunteers for Peace projects together. Flyers, Stickers, and keychains were distributed as part of an campaign to promote harmonious, multicultural communities.
The project helped teenagers from multicultural families adapt to school life. Additionally, programs allowed for multicultural families to openly address their challenge and provided practical advice and support for mothers and children, to help them understand life in Korea as well as promote pride in their cultural and national diversity.
Ju Hyun Yoo, program director of the project hopes that the campaign will contribute to a society where mothers and children of multicultural families live in peace and harmony free from prejudice. GPW is proud to support Ju Hyun’s project that helps build peace, harmony, and cohesion among families despite differences.
Ju Hyun Yoo is a recipient of the Global Women Dream (GWD) grant, a joint effort between Global Peace Women and Service for Peace Korea. The GWD grant is awarded to service-minded women across countries who want to develop their leadership to initiate projects in their community to bring positive change and impact.
GPW opens applications for the GWD grant twice a year in March and September. If you are interested and want to know more, please email Younshim Park at info@globalpeacewomen.org
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