Korean Associations in US begin spontaneously promoting the project
Association in Mid-western USA held in Chicago from August 26 to 30, 2010, and we had chance to have special lecture about the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project. The Korean Association of Mid-western USA is a federation body consisted of 26 associations throughout the 13 states with Chicago as centered. The HQ team was simply constituted with 2 persons, the Director General, Ministry of Environment, Ms. CHA Yoon-Jeong and a staff of Public Affair team. They spent fruitful and meaningful schedule during short 5 days and 3 nights.
At first, we had face-to-face talk with groups of association's head, discussed upon a matter about supporting promotion prints for consulates. In August 27, we had press interview with many prominent media like, Joongang Daily Newspaper USA, Hankuk Ilbo, Hanmi Broadcasting Corporate, Focus K and so on. There was a meeting with 10 representatives from Christian groups. In August 28, to the boards of Korean Associations in North America, we had special lecture about the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project. Including Mr. YOON Jae-Yeon, president of Korean Association in Mid-western USA, HEO Cheol, the Consul General to Chiacago, and reporters from newspapers and media, the 61 opinion leaders participated in the special lecture. CHA Yoon-Jeong, the Environment Administrator spoke to the attendee with the subject of "the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project is to revitalize the nature and human" on concentration for the necessity and aim of the project. Attendees reacted in positive responses that they had precious opportunity of changing view upon misreports and correcting the mislead information about the project.
The biggest outcome out of this schedule was that we discussed in August 29 to form tentatively named "Promotion Committee of Abroad Korean Association for Four Major Rivers Restoration Project". The range of the committee constitution varies board of associations' presidents and opinion leaders in 22 states of US, 5 states of Canada, Europe, and Oceania. Once the committee forms they will play important and significant roles as non-governmental diplomatic delegation by seminar, special lecture in prestigious universities overseas, contribution to the media and more ways. Additionally they will be invited to visit the actual construction and restoration site of the project.
This time visit to the Chicago was achieved among rampant misreport by opposing NGO groups. We have corrected false reports against the project from overseas media as well as draw spontaneously support for the project from civilian associations. We can find the meaning among them.
