Earth Management Roundtable Korea–U.S. Online Forum Concludes Successfully

The Bold Challenge of Earth Management Studies Originating in Korea

On the 25th, the Earth Management Roundtable Korea–U.S. online forum was successfully held, co-hosted by the International Brain Education Association, the University of Brain Education, Global Cyber University, and the U.S.-based Institute of Brain Education (IBE) Graduate School of Earth Management.

This forum was organized to mark the launch of the International Academic Committee on Earth Management last August. It was the first public forum dedicated to advancing the academic development and popularization of Earth Management Studies.

In his welcoming address, Byung-Young Kong, President of Global Cyber University and the University of Brain Education, emphasized, “At a time of uncertainty with war, ecological crises, and the era of AI, it is deeply meaningful that Earth Management Studies has begun in Korea,” adding, “Universities must take on the mission of nurturing responsible global citizens.”

Jung-Han Lee, Dean of the IBE Graduate School of Earth Management, stated, “If Brain Education is about choices and decisions on the personal level, Earth Management is the study of comprehensive choices and decisions on organizational and national levels. Human change is brain change, and the effort to develop Earth Management into an academic field will bring great progress to the international community.”

Presentations on Earth Management Studies and Curriculum Development

In his keynote presentation, Ho-Chan Seo, Chair of the Department of Earth Management Studies at the University of Brain Education, delivered a talk on ‘Paradigm Shift from Personal Influence to Global Impact.’ He pointed out the limitations of traditional nutrition science and suggested the need for a shift toward a ‘global nutrition paradigm’ that considers not only individual health but also the ecological health of the entire planet.

Ji-In Kim, Director of International Cooperation at the International Brain Education Association (Ph.D. in Earth Management Studies), presented on ‘Socioeconomic Inequality and Hongik Ingan.’ She analyzed the inherent limitations of liberal democracy, which inevitably deepens socioeconomic inequality, and introduced new political-philosophical directions for Earth Management based on Korea’s traditional Hongik Ingan ideal, Jo So-Ang’s Samgyun-ism, and Ahn Jae-Hong’s New Democracy.

Hope (Hyeran) Ihm, CAO of the IBE Graduate School of Earth Management, introduced the online master’s programs launched in 2023. She explained, “Through a brain-based curriculum, we aim for transformative development in holistic well-being, leadership, and sustainability.” The program invites professors with both professional backgrounds and brain education experience, offering a blend of theory and practice, while capstone projects foster practical competencies.

Rae-Hyuk Jang, Chair of the Department of Brain Education at Global Cyber University and Head Professor of the Earth Management Convergence Program, introduced Global Cyber University’s vision of being ‘a university that contributes to the Earth.’ He also presented the ‘Youth Earth Management Leadership’ program, the first overseas credit-recognition program launched by a Korean cyber university. The program is structured around three pillars: developing a global mindset, contributing Korean values to humanity and the Earth, and cultivating inner human capacity.

Particularly noteworthy was the participation of students Ji-Eun Lee and Chae-Young Kim, who are currently in New Zealand for one year as part of the program. They shared experiences of living in harmony with nature and their comparative research project on environmental policies. Student Chae-Young Kim remarked, “By focusing on the Earth, I feel that my capacity of heart is expanding. A year from now, I want to become someone who can share Earth Management with the world.”

Comprehensive Reflections

During the comprehensive discussion session, Steve Kim, Director of the Earth Citizens Organization (ECO), presented a thought-provoking perspective: “The issues that Earth Management addresses—from personal dietary habits to socioeconomic inequality—are highly diverse and wide-ranging. The only entity currently equipped to address them integratively is artificial intelligence. If the value alignment problem of AI is solved, it could become the most powerful infrastructure for Earth Management.” He further proposed including mindful technology use in Earth Management education, noting that “users’ mindful engagement with technology will directly influence the direction of AI development.”

Gap-Sung Lee, President of the Korea Earth Citizens Alliance, also emphasized the need for an integrated approach through collective intelligence.

Moderator Dr. Ji-In Kim remarked, “The Earth Management Roundtable is not only a space for academic development but also a forum for practical discussions aimed at creating real change. We will continue to develop this as a platform where not only researchers and educators but also the younger generation—who will be the agents of global change—can actively participate.”

This forum demonstrated that Earth Management Studies is developing into a practical discipline that goes beyond theory to present real-world solutions. The bold first steps of Earth Management Studies from Korea are highly anticipated.

Reported by Ji-In Kim