The Urgent Need for 'Big Experiences' to Cultivate Excellent Citizens

The article advocates for a shift in educational philosophy, emphasizing the importance of "big experiences" and "learning will" over mere academic credentials. It draws parallels between the lifelong learning journeys of former South Korean presidents Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun, and current President Lee Jae-myung, highlighting how their personal struggles and "existential motivations" fueled their political pursuits.

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The life journeys that unfolded before the three men were inseparable from their serious 'exploratory lives.'

The author, Lee Byung-gon, a professor at Kunshin University's Alternative Education Department, critiques the traditional education system for focusing too much on knowledge transfer and neglecting the cultivation of motivation and consciousness. He points to the autobiographies of Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun, noting how their political careers were intertwined with continuous learning, reading, and critical thinking, even in challenging circumstances like imprisonment.

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Kim Dae-jung described prison as 'a small but large university.'

The piece introduces the "Benposta" community in Spain's Galicia region, which implemented a "Big Experience" program for its youth. This program required participants to engage in real-world activities like street begging or running small businesses for a year before returning to share their experiences. The author suggests this hands-on approach, which fosters practical problem-solving and historical consciousness, could be a model for cultivating "excellent citizens" for the next generation.

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Roh Moo-hyun wailed in his will, 'I cannot read books or write.'

Ultimately, the article posits that true learning and the development of civic responsibility stem from confronting real-world challenges and actively seeking solutions, rather than solely relying on formal education. It suggests that fostering this "learning will" is crucial for nurturing individuals capable of engaging with and transforming society.

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The next generation can gain learning experiences by nurturing their sense of justice and historical consciousness in reality and directly solving pressing problems.