An academic forum to explore ways to build a healthy Official Development Assistance (ODA) ecosystem in the Jeonbuk region was held on the 14th. It was co-hosted by Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) Jeonbuk International Development Cooperation Center (Director Baek Sook-hee), the Public and Private Gathering, and the International Development Cooperation Association. The forum was organized to promote a region-based ODA model led by Jeonbuk, moving beyond development cooperation structures concentrated in the Seoul metropolitan area.

The forum was held that afternoon in Room 351, Jinsudang, JBNU under the theme “Doing International Development Cooperation from the Regions: Forum on Expanding the Jeonbuk ODA Ecosystem.” Some 50 participants—including representatives from universities, local governments, companies, ODA implementing organizations, and young people—took part both online and offline to discuss the region’s role and strategies.

In his keynote address, Kwak Jae-seong, president of the International Development Cooperation Association, said, “Discussion of local ODA is not optional but essential,” and emphasized that “the capabilities of Jeonbuk’s youth, universities, and research institutions already constitute an important asset for international development cooperation.” He went on to say, “Decentralized development cooperation based on regional characteristics and expertise is key to enhancing the balance and sustainability of national ODA.”

Session 1 introduced cases and outcomes of ODA activities implemented in the region. Seo Dong-won, Director of TNT Research, presented on “How Local Technology and Experience Have Led to Achievements in International Development Cooperation,” suggesting the potential to expand local technology and experience into overseas collaboration.

Next, Kim Seong-bin, Researcher at the Rural Development Administration, delivered a presentation titled “Development Cooperation Jobs That Jeonbuk Youth Can Join,” outlining development cooperation job opportunities and entry paths for youth in Jeonbuk.

Yoo Seung-il, Researcher at the Graduate School of International Agricultural Technology, Seoul National University, supplemented the discussion with practical recommendations, including designing Jeonbuk-based ODA pathways.

Also in Session 1, Kim In-seong, CEO of Obje Bio, and Kim Kyung-yeol, Section Chief at the KOICA Research and Training Institute, participated as discussants to debate the need to spread region-specific ODA models. Session 2 focused on diagnosing the realities and structural challenges of the regional ODA ecosystem. Experts, including Kwak Jae-seong and Oh Ui-seok and Lee Eun-saem from the Public and Private Gathering, examined whether the region has a clear ODA vision and social purpose and whether the capacities of local actors have sufficiently developed, offering directions for policy and institutional improvements.

Director Baek Sook-hee said, “We must continue to raise our voices about the difficulties regions face within a Seoul-centered ODA implementation structure,” and added, “We will steadily continue to provide forums to discuss how to expand a sustainable ODA ecosystem in which regions participate and are connected.”