What I Have Learned in MANNAM Volunteer Association 02: Be Myself

How much did you grow last year? I can surely tell you, I found myself developed so much at the end of last year.

Volunteering in MANNAM Volunteer Association, I learned to Be Myself.

I didn't have confidence to show and express myself-my idea, opinions, and emotion. In the period during which I participated in activities in MANNAM with other volunteers and planned cultural events together, expressing each idea was so important to make international events.

And communicating with many friends, found them shining in their own color! More and more, I can express myself and be myself.

Hope you to be yourself in your all life and also to have a chance to grow together in MANNAM,too ! :)

What I Have Learned in MANNAM Volunteer Association 01: Appreciate

In MANNAM Volunteer Association, I learned to Appreciate others. 

I am in youth, so often I used to focus not on what I am, but on what I don't have.

However, volunteering in MANNAM made me focus on what I am, and what I have.

Meeting many elders when delivering briquettes, and radios,

I learned their philosophy and really appreciated all elders. 

They enjoyed talking about their children, and their life,

I felt they had difficulty raising children, living in poverty.

Actually, I did not thought much about my grandma and grandpa, 

even my parents' love and their struggle to live their life.

Also, I met many friends who have different backgrounds.

My friends whom I met in MANNAM, they are from all over the world,

and they make me think in different way,

they broaden my knowledge of cultures. 

I can tolerate 'difference' much more than before! 

Now, I appreciate all people whom I meet in everyday life,

and especially, the learning from volunteering in MANNAM is so valuable.

I learned to appreciate,

and now I appreciate all learning.

Thank you, MANNAM :)

What I Have Learned in MANNAM Volunteer Association: Prologue

What do you know about MANNAM Volunteer Association?

Have you ever met people in MANNAM or joined its activities?

Do you know about our motto?

MANNAM Volunteer Association started in 2003, based on Ap-gu-jeong, Seoul, South Korea, and it has been growing to be one of the largest international volunteer association. I joined MANNAM at the end of 2011, in Busan. Busan branch started then. 

What is merit or attractiveness which made me and other people join and work together? There are several reasons, I summarize them into four. 

• Love and Understanding among Members; we break down the barrier of difference. 

In MANNAM International, there are a lot of people who come from all over the world. We do communicate with each other, and different people who have different nationalities, cultures, religions, and political views. We break down the barrier among us called 'Difference' little by little. 

• Opportunities to Volunteer; Extension of Love

There are many opportunities to volunteer in local communities in MANNAM. We visited nursing homes, orphanages, hospitals, welfare centers to help people who need help and care. Also, we held many cultural concerts or festivals for donations and we held awareness campaign for people who suffered from natural disasters. This year, MANNAM International Youth Coalition held the walk for peace on April. 

The Busan branch started '더(The) Radio Campaign' for elders who live alone, presenting them radios as their friends, and every 2nd and 4th Saturday, we are attending the Soup Kitchen.

• Understanding Based on Learning Other Cultures

Working and volunteering together, I met many people who are different from me. First, I could not understand and had difficulty communicating with them, but in MANNAM, through many events and other cultural programs, I learned about other cultures and other people's thought. Through learning, we can understand better each other. 

• People; you can learn many things from volunteers in MANNAM

I want to tell you what I have learned in MANNAM Volunteer Association for last two years.

I have met many nice volunteers, and the Honorary Chairman Man Hee Lee 

and the Chairwoman Nam Hee Kim are also among them. 

So, now, do you wonder the details/stories/information about MANNAM Volunteer Association? I will tell you about MANNAM A to Z! I want to write using a word which includes an alphabet character. 

I hope you not to misunderstand MANNAM, but to understand MANNAM, even though you do not like or do not want to join us. You just need to tolerate us. You do not need to love us, you do not need to accept us, you do not need to lead us, but just tolerate. 

MANNAM Volunteer Association, now this is the part of my life.  

MANNAM Volunteer Association The PEACE Talk Concert #7: Human Rights (Summary of Speech)

HUMAN RIGHTS

HUMAN RIGHTS are the rights that all people have by virtue of being human beings. Human Rights are derived from the inherent dignity of the human person and are defined internationally, nationally and locally by various law making bodies. All of the people and even governments from all over the world may accept to respect other’s Rights, but does it really happen in our life days? The answer is… NO! Man has used to change the law based on his benefits! In this discussion, we are looking for what causes people and governments not respecting Human Rights and what may prevent them not to do that. Everyone is welcome to talk and discuss and share ideas! -Farnaz

인권은 모든 사람들이 인간으로서 누려야 할 권리들입니다. 인권은 인간의 존엄성으로부터 출발했고, 또 이것은 국제적으로, 국가적으로 또 지역적으로 다양한 법에 의해서 제정되고 보호되고 있습니다. 모든 사람들은 그리고 심지어 전 세계 모든 정부들도 다른 사람들의 혹은 다른 국가의 권리를 존중하기를 받아들이고 있을 지도 모릅니다. 하지만 그것이 실제로 우리 생활 가운데서도 지켜지고 있을까요? 대답은 ‘아니오’일 것입니다! 사람은 그 자신의 이익에 맞추어서 법을 바꾸는데 익숙했었습니다! 오늘의 토론에서는 우리는 무엇이 사람들로 하여금, 정부로 하여금 인권을 존중하지 못하게 하는 지 알아보려 합니다. 또한 무엇이 우리로 하여금 지키지 못하게 하는지 알아보려 합니다. 모든 분들의 이야기, 의견 모든 아이디어를 환영합니다! -페르나즈

All scripts and pictures from members who took part in MANNAM The PEACE talk concert.

MANNAM The PEACE : Peace Quote 007 What we have forgotten - Mother Theresa

If we have no peace, 

it is because we have forgotten 

that we belong to each other. 

- Mother Theresa

Summary of Speech: MANNAM The PEACE #6: Gender Discrimination

Gender Discrimination

Gender (or sex) discrimination occurs when a person is subjected to different or unequal treatment ("discrimination") in any number of situations, when that treatment is based on the person's gender. Gender discrimination happens because people think that men are better than women. Parents start discrimination before birth of child. In most case they expect boys for economic and social safety in their future life. It seems obvious that women would want to change the system, but men are less likely to want to give up their positions of power

Gender discrimination has started with the initialization of human civilization. As civilization spreads, discrimination increases as well. In every sector of modern society, aspects of discrimination we can find. It may vary region to region, country to country as well as community to community. The ultimate effect of gender discrimination is crucial on a family as well as society. Unhappily, mental disorders often occur in the discriminated persons.

Government regulations certainly help the situation. Proper education in family and in school can help one to change the attitude to gender discrimination. Media can play in letting situation improved by not representing stereotype to all kinds of gender. Nowadays the situations are changing rapidly. Women have proved that they are capable of doing work like man. I like to see the world where men and women cooperate beyond gender discrimination. - Shahin 

성 차별은 한 사람이 그 사람의 성별 때문에 다른 혹은 불공정한 대우를 받는 경우에 일어납니다. 성 차별은 사람들이 남자가 여자보다 낫다라고 생각하기 때문에 일어납니다. 부모들은 아이의 탄생 전부터 차별을 시작하지요. 대부분의 경우 부모들이 그 아이의 경제적이나 사회적인 안전한 미래를 바라며 남자 아이를 기대합니다. 이로써 여성들이 이 체계를 바꾸고 싶어하는 것과 한편 남자들은 그들의 힘의 자리를 포기하고 싶어하지 않을 것이 분명합니다.

성 차별은 인간 문명의 처음과 함께 시작하였습니다. 문명이 퍼져나가면서, 차별도 또한 증가합니다. 현대 사회의 모든 부분에서 차별의 양상을 우리는 발견할 수 있습니다. 물론 지역과 지역, 나라와 나라, 공동체와 공동체 마다 다르겠지만요. 궁극적인 성 차별의 영향은, 가정과 사회에서 매우 치명적입니다. 불행하게도 정신적인 장애가 차별을 받는 사람에게 일어나기도 합니다.

정부의 규제가 특별히 상황을 도울 수 있습니다. 가정과 학교에서의 적합한 교육은 사람이 성 차별에 대한 태도를 바꿀 수 있도록 도울 수 있습니다. 대중 매체도 모든 종류의 성에 대해서 고정관념을 표현하지 않음으로써 상황을 개선시킬 수 있습니다. 요즘 상황은 많이 바뀌고 있는 중입니다. 여성들은 계속해서 남성들처럼 일 할 수 있다는 것을 보여 왔고요. 저는 남성과 여성이 성 차별을 넘어 협력하는 세계를 보고 싶습니다.  -샤힌

MANNAM The PEACE : Peace Quote 006 When you are confronted with an opponent - Mahatma Gandhi

Whenever you are confronted with an opponent. Conquer him with Love. 

― Mahatma Gandhi

[MANNAM International Youth Coalition] Why Youth?

Dear all my friends,

I'm also one of young people who live on the earth. So, I know you lack of time because busy preparing future and success and enjoying the young days. 

But, what if we can do valuable things to change the world and create the moment that would be remembered forever in human history, preparing your future and enjoying all your young days?

And what if all the youth all around the world will unite to end war and achieve world peace?

Actually, I was not interested in world peace. I just was self-centered and am still self-centered. However, I found if war breaks out, my all precious things-my family, lover, friends, study, occupation, and all sweet future- will be lost. 

And then, I thought that many young people who are even dying during wars feel like me.

That's why I support the peace campaigns of MANNAM International Youth Coalition. Here I wrote my thought into a simple poem (I learned only how to interpret and write a critic so it's not beautiful, just simple!) that explain why I am here and work for peace-started to walk for peace. 

A boy is dying there

A girl is crying there

He is me 

AND She is me

They were thinking like me

They were feeling like me 

They have dreams like me 

She has dreams shining much more than me 

He has a very sweet girlfriend

They have family members who are waiting for them

Where are you?

Where are they?

Who are you? 

Who are they?

Who are we? 

He is you 

AND She is you

They are you

They are us

We 

We, the youth. 

MANNAM The PEACE : Peace Quote 005 How Come We Play War - Bill Watterson

"How come we play war and not peace?"

"Too few role models."

-Bill Watterson

MANNAM The PEACE : Peace Quote 004 The Right of All Sentient Beings - The XIVth Dalai Lama

MANNAM The PEACE : Peace Quote 003 The Man who Moves a Mountain -Confucius

The 6th MANNAM Peace Talk concert, The PEACE #6: Gender Discrimination

Hello, everyone.

The Busan North branch of MANNAM International is going to have the 6^th peace talk concert, <더 PEACE>! Shahin who is from Bangladesh will give a speech about ‘Gender Discrimination.’ Main languages in The PEACE talk concert are English and Korean, but if you need Chinese/Russian translation, please let us know ahead of time for staffs to help you on the day!

*’더 PEACE’ #6. <Gender Discrimination>

*When: June 22th, Saturday, 7:30-9:30 p.m.

*Where: Learning Square Seminar room @ Seomyeon (Seomyeon subway Stn. Exit #1)

*Program*

7:30-7:40  Reception, Share Snack&Tea

7:40  Opening

7:40-8:20  Part 1. ‘Listen’ : Speech (Speaker: Shahin)

8:20-8:30 Q&A

8:35-9:05  Part 2. ‘Share’ : Discussion and Share your opinions

9:10  Announcement

9:25  Closing

#Contact: 010.6718.0091 Kristen / mannamthepeace@gmail.com

If you want to join and enjoy the concert, Please confirm ahead of time! :)

On every 4th week, we will have a talk concert, with the title ‘더 Peace’

Every month has a theme related to establish World Peace.

Why don’t you join us ? :) Do not miss it!

안녕하세요, 여러분.

만남 인터내셔널 부산 북부에서 6번째 <더 PEACE> 토크 콘서트를 엽니다! 제 5회에서는 방글라데시 멤버 샤힌이 ‘성 차별’이라는 주제에 대해 이야기하려고 합니다. 더 PEACE 토크 콘서트의 주 사용 언어는 영어와 한국어입니다. 하지만, 혹시 중국어나 러시아어 통역이 필요하신 분 있으시면, 미리 말씀해 주시면 스텝이 도와 드리겠습니다!

*제 6회 <주제: 성 차별>

*일시: 6월 22일 토요일 저녁 7:30-9:30

*장소: 서면 러닝 스퀘어 세미나실 (서면 지하철 역 1번 출구)

*프로그램*

7:30-7:40 다과 나누며 자유로운 토크 시간

7:40 개회: 프로그램 소개

7:40-8:20  강연: 샤힌

8:20-8:30  질의 응답

8:35-9:05  그룹 토론 및 의견 나눔

9:10  활동 발표 및 공유

9:25 폐회: 광고, 발표자 및 스텝 지원 받음

#연락처: 010.6718.0091 크리스틴 / mannamthepeace@gmail.com

오시고자 하는 분들은 사전에 미리 연락 부탁 드립니다!!!

매월 4째 주에, 토크 콘서트 '더 PEACE'가 열립니다.

매달 주제는 세계 평화와 관련한 한 가지 주제를 가집니다.

평화를 향한 우리의 도전에 함께 해요 ! 놓치지 마세요~ J

MANNAM The PEACE : Peace Quote 002 Racism can be passed on through teachings-Nelson Mandela

MANNAM The PEACE : Peace Quote 001 "If all is set right within one society,"-Man Hee Lee

[MANNAM International Youth Coalition] All Youth, All '靑年', Raise Our Voice

  MIYC is the acronym of MANNAM International Youth Coalition, which was formed from groups of young people coming together with the vision and determination to unite people across borders, cultures, languages and nationalities. It's not a kind of subgroup of MANNAM, but it's a 'coalition' that consists of many youth organizations around the world including MANNAM Volunteer Association. 

  MIYC coordination team is in MVA and they do the planning and core communication helping all affiliates. However, there are not a host and a guest. The constructive feedbacks and ideas for projects to help set up MIYC and realize a vision a world of justice, peace, security and prosperity by creating a new culture for all humanity are welcome. 

What Do You Feel When You Heard a Word, 'Youth' and'靑年'?

This is the time when hearts are pure and tender,
And with love's first emotions heedless melt;
When the mind shrinks not at the boldest venture,
And nature's gen'rous impulses are felt!

 

This is the time the soul needs no allurement--
No madd'ning influence t' excite its powers;
For, as the lark, that soars to heav'nly regions,
The spirit warbles through life's morning hours.

 

Oh happy youth! life's oasis of beauty!
What time in after years so pure and sweet?
Free from the lab'ring progress of great manhood,
It treads life's pathway with elastic feet!

-C. B. Langston, Youth 

 Above is some parts of a poem about youth. There are a lot of poems and quotes about youth. Why have so many people talked about youth? 

Youth is generally the time of life between childhood and adulthood (maturity). Definitions of the specific age range that constitutes youth vary.......Around the world, the terms youth, adolescent, teenager, kid, and young person are interchanged, often meaning the same thing, occasionally differentiated. Youth generally refers to a time of life that is neither childhood nor adulthood, but rather somewhere in-between. Youth also identifies a particular mindset of attitude, as in "He is very youthful". The term youth is also related to being young. The term also refers to individuals between the ages of 16-24. (Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Youth)

 Its definition varies depend on cultures and societies, but it is used as a term refers to people between the ages of 15-35, and it is often connected to 'passion,' 'pure,' 'bravery,' and 'growth.' Many authors and poets have written about it, and people sometimes talk about that time with nostalgia. 

 In Korean word, youth is translated into '청년(靑年)' which is come from a Chinese word. 청(靑) means 'blue.' It is used in describing sea, green grapes, moonlight, blue jeans, etc. . Actually, I, grown in Asia, feel really inspired and fresh when I heard that word '청년(靑年)' than 'youth.' It makes me imagine a sprout. I would like to say, youth is the time that see the sign of hopeful future because it has the possibility and potential to grow surprisingly!

You can see pictures on the facebook page: www.facebook.com/miycyouth

 Meanwhile, one of the biggest characters of youth is 'flexibility.' They are flexible to change 
their thought, spread their feeling, or form a bond of sympathy and they easily can associate one another friend. You know, regardless of your nationality, most of the biggest social movements have been led by youth people in human histories. 

 That's why we, invites you to join MIYC, and do wonderful projects together, forming an international network of youth organisations  and youth movements. The more youth join us, the more powerfully we can raise our voice for the goal of world peace.

 So, don't you wonder what happens through forming this coalition? I'll post and link the news / any updated information here sooner. :)

World Leaders of Today, Peace Leaders of Tomorrow

[MANNAM Volunteer Association Intro Video from Druzey-Eng./Ru.] Meaning of 'Light' in MANNAM International Slogan

..When I bring my light which is my culture to you, and you bring your light which is your culture, and we learn from each other and we can take the best in one another's cultures and histories, and we truly have victory as individuals, also as a community.

It's not about the racial thing, or religious thing, or political thing but, instead, it's learning differences, we then want to be..we celebrate, we want to inspire each other and encourage each other. So, it's about sharing culture, not being separated... 

When Light Meets Light There is Victory

Summary of Speech: MANNAM The PEACE #5: Poverty

Poverty

Generally, people regard poverty as lack of money or goods. What do you think about it? Of course, it’s true. That’s why governments, organizations, and each person try to help the poor people. But, I want to talk another one, too. Who is poor? My opinion might be different a little from general thoughts. What I think is that everyone is poor. 

So, why is everyone poor? There are two reasons of poverty. First, it depends on the problem of thinking. If you think you are poor, you are poor. If you think you are not poor, you are not poor. Secondly, poverty is caused from lack of something. As I said before, that something doesn’t mean only the finance. I mean, lack of anything. You may lack of money, you may lack of power, and you may lack of social support. It’s not just about goods. 

According to my view, there are a couple of solutions for poverty. First, we need to change our thinking about poverty. It’s not limited to certain classes. Then, we need share money, knowledge, power, love, and anything which you have that we can share with others. This issue, which world face, is serious and difficult one, but we can try to end poverty of world and it can begin from how we are approaching that problem. What is your opinion about poverty and solutions?

 Hope we will discuss about solutions more today.  - Maksudur Rahman

일반적으로, 사람들은 '가난'을 돈이나 물질의 부족한 것으로 생각합니다. 그래서 정부와 단체들로부터 각 개인에 이르기까지 가난한 사람들을 돕기 위한 노력이 필요합니다. 하지만, 저는 다른 측면에서 이야기하고 싶습니다. 누가 가난하지요? 저는 모든 사람이 가난하다고 생각합니다. 

그렇다면, 왜 모든 사람이 가난할까요? 가난에는 두 가지 이유가 있습니다. 첫째로, 가난은 생각의 문제입니다. 만약 당신이 가난하다고 생각하면, 당신은 가난한 것입니다. 만약 당신이 가난하지 않다고 생각하면, 당신은 가난하지 않지요. 두 번째로, 가난은 무언가 부족한 것으로부터 유발됩니다. 앞서 말했듯이, 이 무언가는 돈만을 의미하는 것은 아닙니다. 어떤 것이든 부족한 상태를 말합니다. 당신은 돈이 부족할 수도 있고, 힘이 부족할 수도, 사회적인 지지가 부족할 수도 있습니다. 

따라서, 가난에는 몇 가지 해결책들이 있습니다. 먼저 우리는 가난에 대한 우리의 생각을 바꿀 수 있습니다. 단지 특정 계층에만 한정된 것이 아닙니다. 그리고, 우리는 돈, 지식, 힘, 사랑, 무엇이든 자신이 더 갖고 있는 것을 다른 사람과 나눌 수 있습니다. 오늘날, 세계가 마주하고 있는 이 문제는 심각하고 어려운 문제입니다. 하지만, 우리는 가난을 없애기 위해 노력할 수 있고, 또한 그것은 우리의 생각으로부터 시작됩니다. 여러분의 '가난'에 대한 생각은 어떠십니까? 

오늘 함께 해결책에 대해 더 토론하는 시간을 가졌으면 좋겠습니다. –막수드 라흐만

[MANNAM K-POP WACKYZ (UCC)] Make a Smile! and Be Happy! Let Peace Come into You!

Today, how much often did you laugh? 

Found this video and it made me laugh and think about the importance of  a smile. 

Sometimes, it seems so natural and a part of life so we don't feel the value of it but a smile definitely makes our life more rich and happy! In addition, we can smile when we are with people who we love. I saw on this video MANNAM Kpop team members' superb acting but also I catch they are really intimate! :) 

So Fun video, really want to recommend this for you! 

World Peace, it may be related to the solution for issues we are facing on the earth. On the other hand, it can begin when our mind and thought is peaceful! 

I would love to shout like this, 

"Make a Smile! and Be Happy! Let Peace Come into You!"

I am happy now to be with many friends in MANNAM International and to dream a beautiful world together. We will make it with laughing and smiling together! :^)

The Box of 'LIKES' by MANNAM The PEACE #2. ENOUGH BLOOD SHED: 101 Solutions to Violence, Terror and War

Enough Blood Shed (the image is from www.newsociety.com/Books/E/Enough-Blood-Shed)
: 101 Solutions to violence, terror, and war 
(Mary-wynne Ashford & Guy Dauncey. (2006). Canada: New Society Publishers)

When I looked for books and journals about peace and peace campaigns, skimming the list of Indigo Sowon's list on its site, I found this book: Enough Blood Shed. 

Korean title is not 'Enough Blood Shed' instead it reads '평화 만들기 101 (To Make Peace 101.)'

There are 101 solutions from comprehensive and abstract ones to very specific ones.
Solutions for individual, women, children&youth, schools, activists, religious organizations, conflict zones, special expertise, business, cities, nations the authors they are telling. And the another reason the book is useful is there are many activities of other peace organizations and links where we can get sources.

The book is encouraging people who want peace but are hesitating to act for it or don't know how they can act for peace. Authors try to suggest specific ways to support world peace.

Here are some quotes that encouraged me when I started <더 PEACE> in MANNAM and the city of Busan. 

(There is an example about a boy who changed through an assignment whose topics were 15 of the most serious issues the world is facing. Students were told to find the hopeful solutions.)......He said, "I have never thought about any of these issues before. I have only cared about hockey. Now that I know, I'll never be the same again, will I?"...I think he was affected so deeply because the issues were presented by his friends and peers, rather than by me (the instructor of the course). He saw them (peers) struggling with their despair and finding hope in the steps that are already underway. (Transforming Our Thinking 46p.)

Reading this part, I found that making changes is not that much huge or grand one and it can begin from ME. Also, I expected <더 PEACE> could be the place where one person can change his/her thought little by little through an another friend through discussion and sharing their thoughts. Now, it really works in <더 PEACE>!!!

Actually, <더 PEACE> talk concert is not like a difficult conference and there is no one who is a professional speaker or studies about peace. Some friends who have not participated yet and some readers who are reading our blog/facebook page think this talk concert is boring one or difficult one.

Among us, MANNAM, there are many people from all walks of life and we try to make the community without discrimination and misunderstanding. Just we come, and talk about peace and think about peace. Friends who joined event, actually told that it was fun and enjoyable and even they felt 2 hours is not enough!

The world is facing many problems which threaten humanity and it seems impossible to establish world peace in realistic world. However, why not? Why don't we transform our thinking? Like an above example and our example <더 PEACE>, our thinking is changed by the act and thought of one another around him or her. 

Many parts of the book <Enough Blood Shed> inspire me to think about how to act for peace.
Two things I keep in mind: 

• I am sure through this book that one activist is needed to start projects. If there was no one who started to walk for peace, we would just stay in our own life and couldn't make a step forward to world peace. One person, who thought volunteerism, Korean culture, and history began associating many organizations in Korea and it bore MANNAM Volunteer Association. In this point, I give respect to the Chairwoman Nam Hee Kim who started volunteer works through cultures and the Honorary Chairman, Man Hee Lee who helped her to set up many events remembering Korean histories.

• And secondly, I saw many examples and got many links of organizations or associations which are working for peaceful world and felt the need of networks. Some projects can be begun from one activist but if there is no network, although an activist wants to practice his or her thinking, all plans and projects will be failed. MIYC, whose purpose is to unite youth organizations around the world, is doing meaningful job and the effect / influence will become even bigger. 

The book is not only encouraging but also it gives some practical tips and real examples of peace campaigns and movements for peace. I think it will be very helpful to whom wants to set up some new projects for peace or culture exchange program domestically / internationally. 
Hope more and more people and organizations cooperate for the earth. 

Love and Hope for peace is contagious, then it can be spread from one to another. It can be come true by networks and movements among people. MANNAM Volunteer Association also wants to be one of those networks which deliver Love and Hope for PEACE! 

MANNAM Volunteer Association & MIYC - 10 Km in Their Shoes (Pledge of Peace)

  Luckily, I joined MANNAM volunteer association at the end of 2011, and took part in events last year, 2012. One of the biggest events was 10 Km in Their Shoes: Global Awareness Campaign. The 2nd 10 Km walk-a-ton was for global awareness about people who suffered from natural disasters. They are still in need, but many people easily forget their pain. 10 Km in Their Shoes was first held in 2011, to remember people suffered from natural disasters, and a friend from Turkey gave a speech to thank MANNAM, which was covered in Turkish news.

  And the next year, the 2nd 10 km-walk was held on a nationwide scale on 14th April. And from MANNAM Busan branch, around 500 foreigners walked for awareness to generate more support by better understanding suffers of people who fight an endless struggle against the forces of natural disaster. The walk focused on the following countries: Pakistan, Thailand, Japan, Turkey, New Zealand, Austrailia, and the United States.  

  I was also volunteering as a staff last year, and the route of MANNAM Busan branch was from Haeundae to Dalmagi. Many friends came and reminded us of how many people are being suffered and walked together. 

  This year, on 21st April, The 3rd '10 Km in Their Shoes' was finally held! It was in Seoul Grand Park, and It was supervised and planned by MIYC, which is a coalition of international youth communities/organizations and MANNAM do planning and core communication as an organization of it. This walk was for global awareness for PEACE, remembering 13 countries who experienced/ are experiencing wars, but many international friends, over 1,000 people, from all over the world came together and walked for world peace!

  From MANNAM Busan North branch, about 110 members came to Seoul. First, when we arrived, already the speeches from youth organizations were almost done and speaker had some problems, our branch couldn't listen to the speeches well. Next, we learned world peace flash mob dance (was very easy even for me who is a bad dancer!) and danced together! 

(I am among the people in the right picture! So exited face:-P)

   After exiting dance time, we started 3Km with flags which were chosen as 13 representative countries. We walked along with India row, but our Bangladesh Members found their national flag and other Bangladesh people from other cities, then they greeted each other, then they held their flags and walked together! The Busan North and some branches not from Seoul, walked 3Km, considering the distance and time taken to come to Seoul. 

   On a sunny day, with great people, we had a meaningful time through this walking campaign. The first meet-up and big event for MIYC, and there were some mistakes and negative feedback. But, I believe MIYC to develop more and more and will do a great project this year. I saw the sign of hope in our MANNAM members' face with smiles when they danced, greeted other global families from other cities, and walked for peace! Hope World Peace to Come Finally ! Now, I met and am with Peace Leaders of Today :)