Gwangju International Center

GIC Talk is a weekly English talk program developed for intercultural communication and understanding among local Korean citizens with international residents in Gwangju. The program started in September 2003 with only a few participants. Nowadays, dozens of Koreans and international residents take part in the Talk Program, with focus concentrating on a different topic each week. These include world cultures, social issues, history, lifestyles, political issues, speakers' experience and other areas of interest. 

Community Space for Koreans and International Residents

This community space for Koreans and international residents take place on weekends. Most presenters are international residents in Gwangju, but other influential people, such as international ambassadors and representatives of NGOs or NPOs, are also invited to give a talk. Each lecture is followed by a Q&A time where people can ask the presenter questions and exchange their ideas freely. The community space allows those who attend opportunities to be more globally aware.

Program Operation

Despite not having a program budget, GIC Talk is possible thanks to local and international residents sharing their time, knowledge, and experiences. Our appreciation also goes to GIC volunteers who host, document and review the event.

[June 1]

▶Title: The 5th Annual Michael Simning's Community Builders Award Ceremony

▶Speaker: Bill Mulligan

Michael Simning was an expat from Canada who played an important role as a longtime community builder in Gwangju and sadly passed too soon. The Michael Simning’s Community Builders Awards was created to continue his legacy by honoring other Gwangju residents doing important work in the community. The 2019 award ceremony is to celebrate this year’s nominees and winners, with four finalists for the award. After a brief discussion of Michael Simning’s life and the ways he impacted the community, host William Mulligan will introduce the nominees and award the winners.

[June 8]

▶Title: Be the Change Project: Human Needs as a reason for everything we do

▶Speaker: Dana Han

We have already explored how our thoughts and brain are connected to the way we feel which in turn influences how we behave and what choices we make in relationships and in life in general. This time we will try to go deeper into the things we want and value, and how our unawareness of them results in an illusion that other people or circumstances are the reason for our emotions. What you hear this time might be a very unusual point of view, but as always, you will get to decide if any of it makes sense after "trying it out" right there and then. Hope to play with you ;)

[June 15]

No Talk

[June 22]

▶Title: Special Talk for the 20th anniversary of Gwangju International Center

▶Speaker: SHIN Gyonggu, Director of GIC

- Introduction will be announced later

[June 29]

▶Title: Atlantic Canadian Culture

▶Speaker: Thomas A.F. Halford, Professor of Memorial University, Canada

 - Introduction will be announced later