National Park Citizen’s College for education of local communities
Snapshot Solution
Graduation ceremony of National Park Citizen College
KNPS
National Park Citizen’s College, an Education Programme for local people, has been run by Korea National Park Service since 2008. It aims to enhance local people’s understanding of their neighbouring national parks. The two-month programme consists of 10 lectures which cover various aspects relating to national parks: management system and policy; natural and cultural resources; major management activities; field experience. Starting with Seoraksan National Park in 2008, from 2008 to 2018, 4,819 people have participated in the National Park Citizen College to date. At the initial stage, the participants were mostly local people living in or close to national parks, but nowadays urban citizens also join the National Park Citizen College. As a result, people from each part of our society increase their awareness of national parks and their importance. National Park Citizen College serves as a platform for fostering supporters for national parks at the local level.
Photo and video gallery
Impacts
The National Park Citizen College helps local people to understand the value of their neighbouring national parks and their management policies. It also benefits local people who are often marginalized from having educational opportunities. Furthermore, it builds positive attitudes towards national parks and favourable relationships between local communities and national park offices. Some of the graduates from National Park Citizen College contribute themselves as active volunteers in national parks. Others play important roles in national park management by participating in the Community Cooperative Committee of national parks.
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 14 – Life below water
SDG 15 – Life on land
