austraLasia #3163
SEOUL: 21 November 2012 -- On the 17th of November, 23 Korean young people who have been deeply committed to the Salesian Youth Movement went out to the main street of Myeong-dong, the busiest street in Seoul, and conducted the annual Social Engagement Campaign under the title of “promotion of ethical consumption”.
The SYM youth have been carrying on the Social Engagement Campaign for last three years. The purpose of the campaign is to transmit Gospel values to society by dealing with significant social issues of the time. It was 2009 that the SYM youth made its first move for the campaign. There have been different issues the SYM youth dealt with in the campaign over the last three years, like the problem of excessive competition among students for university entrance examinations (2009), the promotion of voter participation for national elections (2010), and the high suicide rate of young people (2011). This year, four different candidate issues were suggested as the main issue for the campaign: “School Violence Prevention”, “the negative influence of the media on life and sexuality”, “promotion of ethical consumption” and “improvement of working conditions for youth workers”. The supporters of each issue made a video clip and uploaded it on YouTube for advertisement. After a certain period of advertising, they went to on-line polls to choose the main issue for the campaign and “promotion of ethical consumption” won the most votes.
Today, there is a widespread notion that neoliberalism, the most powerful economic system in the world today, is widening the gap between rich and poor, and exerts evil effects on social justice. The primary concern of neoliberalism is to guarantee the freedom of individuals and private companies in their pursuit of profits. It constantly minimizes the involvement of the government and prevents the government from conducting public services which are necessary for poor people. The SYM youth understand that the society of this economic system is not the society of justice that all Christians should promote according to gospel values. The youth found “the ethical consumption movement” to be one of the solutions that the people can practise in their daily life for the promotion of a more just society.
The SYM youth promote the importance of ethical consumption and the way of practising it by posting up and carrying placards and banners. The youth danced to “Gangnam Style”, the most popular Korean song around the world today to get more attention from the citizens. They changed the lyrics of the song and the changed lyrics speak of the importance of practising ethical consumption. The youth suggested the concrete actions to be taken by the citizens by distributing “the Resolution Card” on which ten concrete actions are written. The citizens were asked to check the actions that they are able and going to practice. The SYM youth recognized there is a way of holiness not only in church but also in the street. They have a strong conviction that they can be saints by promoting gospel values in society by dealing with social issues of our time.
SYM (KOR) Annual Social Engagement Campaign.
Bernard Lee sdb
The SYM youth have been carrying on the Social Engagement Campaign for last three years. The purpose of the campaign is to transmit Gospel values to society by dealing with significant social issues of the time. It was 2009 that the SYM youth made its first move for the campaign. There have been different issues the SYM youth dealt with in the campaign over the last three years, like the problem of excessive competition among students for university entrance examinations (2009), the promotion of voter participation for national elections (2010), and the high suicide rate of young people (2011). This year, four different candidate issues were suggested as the main issue for the campaign: “School Violence Prevention”, “the negative influence of the media on life and sexuality”, “promotion of ethical consumption” and “improvement of working conditions for youth workers”. The supporters of each issue made a video clip and uploaded it on YouTube for advertisement. After a certain period of advertising, they went to on-line polls to choose the main issue for the campaign and “promotion of ethical consumption” won the most votes.
Today, there is a widespread notion that neoliberalism, the most powerful economic system in the world today, is widening the gap between rich and poor, and exerts evil effects on social justice. The primary concern of neoliberalism is to guarantee the freedom of individuals and private companies in their pursuit of profits. It constantly minimizes the involvement of the government and prevents the government from conducting public services which are necessary for poor people. The SYM youth understand that the society of this economic system is not the society of justice that all Christians should promote according to gospel values. The youth found “the ethical consumption movement” to be one of the solutions that the people can practise in their daily life for the promotion of a more just society.
The SYM youth promote the importance of ethical consumption and the way of practising it by posting up and carrying placards and banners. The youth danced to “Gangnam Style”, the most popular Korean song around the world today to get more attention from the citizens. They changed the lyrics of the song and the changed lyrics speak of the importance of practising ethical consumption. The youth suggested the concrete actions to be taken by the citizens by distributing “the Resolution Card” on which ten concrete actions are written. The citizens were asked to check the actions that they are able and going to practice. The SYM youth recognized there is a way of holiness not only in church but also in the street. They have a strong conviction that they can be saints by promoting gospel values in society by dealing with social issues of our time.
