Choi Young-eun participates in a typical day as "Ambassador"
Thanks to the initiative "Ambassador for a day", organized by the Italian Embassy in Seoul to promote gender equality, the winning student of the dedicated competition, Choi Young-eun, participated in a typical day as "Ambassador", shadowing the Italian Ambassador in Seoul Federico Failla in his activities, on the occasion of International Women’s Day.
The project stems from the need to adopt proactive policies to achieve Goal n.5 of the 2030 UN Agenda on Gender Equality. Since 2022, therefore, the Italian Embassy has launched a competition that has seen students from Korean universities compete from all over the country.
This year, the young university students were asked to write a short essay entitled "How breaking the glass ceiling can help contribute to peace and security around the world". This theme is inspired by the numerous studies that affirm the existence of a negative correlation between gender equality and armed conflict. The topic chosen is also very topical in the light of today’s particular international geopolitical situation.
The final medium-term objective of the initiative is to encourage greater participation of women at the top of the job market, thanks to direct dialogue with personalities from the political, institutional, economic and cultural worlds. The project aims to contribute positively to the theme, inspiring the student participant - and those who follow us on social media - to achieve top positions in the job market. Choi, who attends the course in International Studies at Yonsei University of Seoul, Underwood Division, directed by Helen J.S. Lee, was called to actively contribute to the meetings in which she will participate.
Among the many events, it is worth mentioning the one with the Deputy Minister and Ambassador for Climate Change Kim Hyeoun of the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to discuss the possible synergies between the strategies on climate change of Italy and South Korea. Later we will hold a meeting with the Minister Plenipotentiary Alessandra Schiavo, Principal Director for Asia and Oceania on the bilateral relations between Italy and Korea.
In terms of science and technology, the winner Choi will accompany Ambassador Failla in a VTC with Dr Stefania De Curtis, Director of the Galileo Galilei Institute in Florence, National Center for Advanced Studies of the National Institute of Nuclear Physics.
In the commercial field, the Embassy planned a meeting with the Design Ambassador for South Korea Ico Migliore, co-founder architect with Mara Servetto of Migliore+Servetto, in view of the Italian Design Days of the next 9-10 March, and the participation in the Council of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Korea (ITCCK) at High Street Italy.
On the subject of equal opportunities in relation to the diplomatic career there will be a video call with the Vice President of the Diplomatic Women Association (DID), Silvia Costantini.
Finally, during the staff meeting, the winner will also be confronted with the activities of the Office of the Military Attaché and the Italian Institute of Culture.