The purpose of this study is to suggest the necessity of building an overseas volunteer digital archive for the realization of interculturalism, focusing on the case of WFK (World Friends Korea).
Interculturalism refers to the phenomenon in which dif...
The purpose of this study is to suggest the necessity of building an overseas volunteer digital archive for the realization of interculturalism, focusing on the case of WFK (World Friends Korea).
Interculturalism refers to the phenomenon in which different cultures interact and create a new culture. This could be understood as an effort to realize it. The core issue of the Fourth Industrial Revolution can be said to be the continuous creation of new cultures by mutual understanding and fusion of different cultures. Collecting, arranging, and describing the records of overseas volunteers is an endless effort between different cultures. In this regard, the WFK KOICA Overseas Volunteer Digital Archive is considered a great tool for realizing the goals of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
As a methodology of the study, I first adopted C.Geertz's thick description. Geertz's thick description is to find its historical origins while a participatory observation of the local culture. Overseas volunteers can also observe the local culture and explore its historical composition during volunteer work. Archives of records of these volunteers can be linked to archives of other volunteering corps and local archives. This allows continuous descriptions of thick description.
Next, all these processes can be viewed with J. Habermas' concept of public spheres. In other words, the WFK KOICA Overseas Volunteer Corps Digital Archive can be studied from the perspective of creating thick description and public sphere. Through these archives, KOICA can greatly benefit management on planning and promoting effective ODA policies and overseas volunteer activities, and can provide an excellent model for intercultural communication and convergence in various aspects of our society.
Various reference materials and educational materials that are necessary for this can be produced in various media. Interculturalism of Communication and Convergence, the WFK KOICA Overseas Volunteer Digital Archive will serve as a true platform between various cultures.