Earticle

In the face of rapid globalization, many individuals are being exposed to multiple cultural traditions and practices. Although multiple cultural exposures have been shown to have beneficial effects (such as enhancing cultural frame switching and creativity), it could also threaten individuals’ own cultural identity. To understand the interplay between these two opposing consequences, I will delineate the concepts of Multicultural Mind and Multicultural Self. Multicultural mind entails acquiring and applying knowledge of new cultures. This process could benefit creativity and even reduce prejudice and discrimination. By contrast, multicultural self entails using cultural traditions to define the self, a process that could lead to negative reactions toward new cultures if individuals endorse racial essentialism (believing that race has biological essence rather than it is a social construction). In my talk, I will first present empirical findings of multicultural mind and multicultural self, and then discuss the latest extension to cultural mixing and cultural attachment.

In an era of globalization and neoliberalism, South Korea is currently experiencing unprecedented rates of migrant workers, immigrants, North Korean defectors and international students entering the country. Although the influx of newcomers contributes to the country’s cultural diversity, the challenges that arise from coexistence of diverse populations and cultures are to be found across various social institutions. The paper critically considers how the government has previously taken short-term measures to alleviate issues that range from marginalization and discrimination to human rights violation, without addressing the need for greater social efforts and policy reforms. Toward a multicultural Korean society where civic consciousness and true cognition of diverse cultures and nondominant groups are established for social integration and cohesion, I argue that current immigration policies in Korea should be revisited and sublimated to better support the prosperity and the livelihood of multicultural families.

The purpose of this study is to explore the current status of multicultural youths in Korea and review the Korean policy for the multicultural youths. For the purpose, the trends of the increase of the multicultural youths, the characteristics by sub-groups and research trends of the development of multicultural youths in Korea were analyzed. In addition, the current status and limitations of multicultural youths support policy in Korea were suggested. As the conclusion, some implications for the future direction of the social integration policy for the multicultural youths in Korea were proposed as followed. At first, it is necessary to develop the projects that can enhance the strengths. Second, it is necessary to create policy conditions so that the competencies of multicultural youths and the environment around them can be developed. Third, the policies for the middle or high schoolers, and undergraduate students need to be more developed and established. Fourth, it is necessary to provide psychological counseling programs that can deal with their psychological difficulties. Finally, all the support policies for the multicultural youths have to be evaluated the properties and effectiveness of the policy projects’ operating.

Geographic effect is an extremely important factor that affects the formation and development of a civilization. Northeast Asia, including China, Japan, South Korea, North Korea, Russia (the Far East and Siberia) and Mongolia, is a cultural concept formed by geopolitics. As an important part of spiritual culture, the films in Northeast Asian countries originate from the unique geographical features, economic systems and values of Northeast Asia. They have a long history of film culture communication and exchange and jointly form a film culture community in Northeast Asia. Geographic effect is an extremely important factor that affects the formation and development of a civilization. Northeast Asia, including China, Japan, South Korea, North Korea, Russia (the Far East and Siberia) and Mongolia, is a cultural concept formed by geographic relations. As an important part of spiritual culture, the movies in Northeast Asian countries originate from the unique geographical features, economic systems and values of Northeast Asia, and had a long history of film culture communication and exchange, forming a cultural community of Northeast Asian film together. The author believes that from the economic structure point of view, countries in Northeast Asia have the idea of economic integration and specific implementation policies. Northeast Asian regional economic integration has taken shape and constitutes the economic basis of northeast Asian film culture. From the perspective of film policy, countries in Northeast Asia have formulated effective policies on film cooperation and long-term cooperation in filmmaking to form the driving force behind the film culture in Northeast Asia. From the perspective of spiritual cultural core, the strong cohesion of the Confucian cultural circle and the historical long-term film and cultural exchanges have allowed Northeast Asian countries to form a common spiritual bond. The other culture perspective of the Western culture has also given Northeast Asian film culture a holistic image. Of course, at present, the film cooperation in various countries in Northeast Asia also lacks the deviation of policy support from other countries and the deviation of policy direction. There are also differences in culture among different countries. However, the author believes that the common oriental cultural background and the needs of market cooperation will promote the formation of a cultural community in northeast Asia.

Nam-gu in Incheon Metropolitan City bordering the capital of South Korea has recently placed its efforts to build its reputation as a media city with “Cultural Art Communicating with the World.” Through its urbanization movements, such efforts have been made to promote the cultural industry and build platforms where the next generation of media contents could expand and grow. The municipal district’s commitments and strong actions in support of media literacy education were also the driving forces behind the creation of various cultural media centers and festivals. The paper provides a systematic review of the district’s geographical layout and its wide range of cultural spaces and media centers including but not limited to Cinema Space Juan, Nam-gu Youth Media Center, and Juan Video Media Center that are found through out the district and the metropolitan city. Ultimately, the author questions the ways in which urban media environments and cultural spaces offer true media literacy education to the communities in Nam-gu. The author then highlights the importance of diversification in media creation and production in order to promote active participation of members of a multicultural society in Korea.