Group honored Saturday in learning circle presentation category for community education outreach; volunteers support literacy, digital and disability programs tailored to individual learners
Dongdaemun-gu in Seoul announced that Baeumiruми, a learning circle affiliated with the district's lifelong learning center, won a special award in the learning circle presentation category at the 2026 National Lifelong Learning City Festival Competition, hosted by the National Lifelong Learning City Council on Saturday.
The Dongdaemun-gu Lifelong Learning Center runs a learning circle certification program to support ongoing study groups formed by participants in its programs. The center also provides capacity-building training for registered circles and has established a learning circle network to promote their growth.
The lifelong learning circle competition evaluates groups from across the country through a two-stage process — a written review followed by a final presentation — assessing the positive impact each circle has had on its local community and its networking with other learning cities. The competition contributes to strengthening community networks among lifelong learning cities through the sharing of case studies.
The Baeumiruми circle volunteers at the lifelong learning center's programs for socially vulnerable groups, including literacy education, digital literacy and lifelong education for people with disabilities, helping learners progress at their own pace. The group also contributes to what the center describes as a virtuous cycle of lifelong education by sharing knowledge tailored to each individual's level.
"This award is a meaningful achievement that has earned national recognition for the capabilities of Dongdaemun-gu's lifelong learning circles and their contributions to the community," Dongdaemun-gu District Mayor Choi Dong-min said. "We will continue to discover and nurture learning circles, spread a culture of voluntary lifelong learning, and work to invigorate our learning community."
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
