The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in collaboration with the Arts Council Korea, announced the operation of the “2025 Youth Humanities Classroom” initiative starting from August 1. This program will be conducted at ‘Humanities Happiness Centers’ in six regions across the country, starting with Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province. The regions include Suwon, Yeoju, and Pyeongtaek in Gyeonggi Province, Andong and Uljin in North Gyeongsang Province, and Ulsan City.
In August and September, various programs will be offered: self-reflection and healing programs using books for youth concerned about isolation (Ulsan), humanities and psychology programs for youth struggling with inferiority and comparison with others (Suwon), and family humanities activities for young caregivers (Pyeongtaek). Other programs include self-reflection and finding strength in solace and recovery (Yeoju) and conversation programs to experience hospitality and solidarity in a third space (Uljin).
In October and November, programs will be conducted in collaboration with the Youth Future Center, such as workshops for isolated youth (Ulsan), burnout prevention and recovery programs for young educators (Suwon), programs to overcome loneliness for military officers and soldiers (Pyeongtaek), and trauma recovery and healing programs for firefighters (Andong) and maritime police officers (Uljin). These programs are tailored to the diverse characteristics of the youth.
Jeong-mi Lee, Director of Cultural Policy at the Ministry, stated, “We hope that participating youths in the ‘Youth Humanities Classroom’ gain the strength to pursue the lives they want through diverse humanities experiences and regain a sense of social connection and community.” She also mentioned that the Ministry plans to increase the accessibility of humanities enjoyment for the public and expand life-cycle humanities programs as part of the new government’s pledge to promote humanities education throughout people’s lives.