KDI School of Public Policy and Management has reinforced its commitment to community engagement and international exchange through its Talent Donation Program, an initiative that brought together international graduate students and high school students from Sejong City for a day of learning, mentorship and cultural interaction.

The Talent Donation Program is part of KDI School's broader efforts to promote intercultural understanding, mutual learning and civic awareness among both KDIS students and Korean society, starting from the host community. 

It was largely coordinated by the Student Affairs Division of KDI School and featured four student-led forums selected to participate in this year's edition: the Human Rights Forum, Latin America Forum, South Asian Forum, and Women Leaders Forum. The initiative was designed to give Korean students direct access to the diverse experiences, knowledge and perspectives represented within KDI School's international student community.

Speaking on the rationale behind the program, Soo Jung Kang of KDI School's Student Affairs Division said the event serves as a bridge between the high school students and KDI School's multinational student body.

"We invited high school students within Sejong and assigned them to different forums where they are taught on various subjects. As the name suggests, we are donating our talents to students. Here at KDI School, we have many different nationalities, but local students may not have many opportunities to meet international students. This program gives them a chance to interact with people from different countries and learn from them," she said.

Kang noted that the initiative also benefits KDI School students by creating opportunities for meaningful engagement with younger learners:

"It is also valuable for our students because they get to hear directly from high school students, understand their perspectives and learn how young people think about different issues and subject areas."

The Human Rights Forum delivered a session titled "Human Rights in the Digital Age: Social Media, AI and Your Privacy," which explored the opportunities and challenges associated with technology, artificial intelligence and social media. The session examined the relationship between human rights and digital technologies, focusing on online privacy, cyberbullying, misinformation, digital consent and the ethical implications of artificial intelligence. Students were encouraged to think critically about their digital footprints and the responsibilities that come with life online.

KDIS Speakers explained how social media can be used positively for education, civic engagement, entrepreneurship and advocacy, while also highlighting risks such as cyberbullying, deepfakes, privacy violations and online manipulation. Participants were guided through practical steps for protecting themselves online, including the use of strong passwords, privacy settings and responsible content sharing.

Meanwhile, the Women Leaders Forum focused on empowering young people to build safe and purposeful digital lives. Through interactive presentations, quizzes and discussions, students learned about internet safety, responsible social media use, digital consent, cybersecurity awareness and career planning. The session also encouraged participants to think about their strengths, interests and future aspirations while navigating an increasingly digital world.

The impact of the program was evident in the reflections shared by participating students, many of whom described the experience as both enlightening and inspiring.

Kim Byeong Min of Sejong Campus High School remarked that the class broadened his understanding of digital rights and artificial intelligence. He said, “I was impressed by the wonderful landscaping of the KDI School, the large playground and all the kind people. I learned the importance of human rights in the digital age, especially in artificial intelligence and what we can do to protect people's rights. The lesson helped me understand how technology affects society and the responsibility we all have in protecting others online."

Another participant, Lee Yun Seul of Sodam High School, said the program changed the way she thinks about human rights and inspired her to learn more about the subject, adding that she was especially drawn to the beauty of the KDI School Library: 'The lecture was very interesting, especially the discussions on equality and human rights. It made me realise how important these issues are in our daily lives and encouraged me to learn more about them. The presenters were also very kind and made the session enjoyable.'

Lee Yejin of Haemil High School described the class as both practical and thought-provoking, particularly the sections on digital safety and cyberbullying. She said, "I learned many useful things, including how to protect myself from cyberbullying and online risks. The class also showed me how social media can affect other people and why we need to be responsible online. I found the presentation informative and engaging."