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🇰🇷 South Korea /Culture & Society

Myongji University pioneers urban energy transition with citizen school

From Hankyoreh · (6m ago) Korean Positive tone

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Myongji University has launched the "Myongji Climate and Energy Transition Initiative," including a new "Urban Solar Income Village Citizen School."
  • This program, the first of its kind in Korea, aims to have citizens design renewable energy transition models suitable for urban environments over an 8-week course.
  • The initiative seeks to expand the existing rural solar income village model to cities, focusing on citizen participation, profit sharing, and community-based operations.

At the Hankyoreh, we believe that addressing the climate crisis requires innovative, community-driven solutions. Myongji University's launch of the 'Myongji Climate and Energy Transition Initiative,' centered around the novel 'Urban Solar Income Village Citizen School,' represents a significant step in this direction.

Climate and energy transition is a core task that our society must solve.

— Im Yeon-soo, President of Myongji UniversityStating the importance of the initiative.

This program is groundbreaking because it shifts the focus from rural to urban energy transition, empowering citizens to become active designers of their local energy systems. The selection of 40 participants from a pool of 270 applicants nationwide underscores the strong public interest in sustainable energy solutions. The 8-week curriculum, designed to foster a deep understanding of policy, technology, and business structures, culminates in participants developing actionable urban energy models.

This citizen school is a pioneering attempt to design urban energy transition models together with citizens and experiment with them.

— Im Yeon-soo, President of Myongji UniversityDescribing the unique nature of the program.

What makes this initiative particularly compelling from our perspective is its emphasis on citizen participation and shared benefits. By adapting the 'Solar Income Village' model, which has seen success in rural areas, to an urban context, Myongji University is fostering a new paradigm for community-based energy development. The upcoming 'Urban Energy Citizen Conference' will provide a platform for participants to present their projects and engage in crucial discussions with policymakers and the public, ensuring that these initiatives are not just academic exercises but practical pathways toward a greener future.

Climate and energy transition is a matter of citizen participation and structure, beyond technology.

— Kim Hyo-jung, Professor at Myongji University's Bangmok Liberal Arts CollegeEmphasizing the human element in energy transition.

We see this as a vital contribution to South Korea's broader energy transition goals. While national policies are essential, the real change often happens at the local level, driven by engaged citizens. Myongji University's proactive approach, integrating education, research, and practical application, positions it as a key player in fostering a more sustainable and equitable energy landscape. This initiative offers a hopeful model for how universities can lead societal change in the face of pressing environmental challenges.

This citizen school is the first attempt for citizens to design urban energy transition models themselves.

— Kim Hyo-jung, Professor at Myongji University's Bangmok Liberal Arts CollegeHighlighting the program's innovative approach.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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