Welcome to BASE21

By Lee Min-jun / AWN Staff Reporter

In this current society, controversial issues on problems with which migrant workers faced aren't drawing public attention. Instead, the American presidential election in 2001 and the war against terrorism occupies the publics interests.

During the first semester, comparative activities were taken in which many universities across the nation used to open street bars to collect money for migrant workers, holding lectures and discussions on them.

Currently, other issues as well as migrant workers problems are fading away from student attention in the wave of great upheavals like anti-war demonstrations and elections for student committees. Although anti-war issues and the elections are important, we should not pretend to be deaf and blind to the poor, who have been required only to fulfil their duties regardless of their unprotected rights, even discriminated against.

In this regard, the International Political Science Administration of Korea University (a tentative name --- Beyond) planned to hold a Science Council and signature-collecting campaign on campus from November 27 to 29, in order to call student attention to the problems of migrant workers. This event is promoted with the help of UNESCO in Korea and many other concerned organizations.

Event Details:

Lectures from an Equal Union member and migrant worker on November 27.
A volunteer from the Measure Committee for Migrant Workers and another migrant worker will also present lectures on November 28. On the final day, November 29, we are having an open forum with volunteers from the Union on campus. Each event starts at 6:00p.m. every day. Moreover, we are turning in the results from signature-collecting campaign to the authorities concerned, to gain tangible outcomes not just awakening awareness.

We have yet to choose the subject of the campaign for existing problems, though we are focusing on issues like the abolition of industrial trainee system and full work permission for migrant workers. It is expected to be decided through a few seminars. Also, after finishing the event, a white paper, covering many issues discussed through the event and preparations is expected to be published.

We hope that this event doesn't end up as transient work. The event is aiming at increasing public attention toward problems related to migrant workers. Furthermore, with this increased attention, many activities related to migrant workers will get accelerated force. We hope this event will be the place to share our opinions and viewpoints on the problems of migrant workers with students and other people who are interested in this issue. Please come to join us.