News
Eeum Festival for Exploring the Direction of Research on Developmental Disabilities Held (November 9, 2023)
- Date : 2023-11-30
- Views : 451
-
Writer
International Cooperation Team
-
Att.
Eeum Festival for Exploring the Direction of Research on Developmental Disabilities Held
On November 8, KIST (President: Seok-Jin Yoon) co-hosted the 2023 Autism Eeum Festival, aimed at introducing and exchanging information on various research and support programs related to developmental disabilities, together with Seoul National University Hospital's National Autism & Developmental Disorder Center (Director: Bung-Nyun Kim) and the KIST Future Foundation (Chairman: Yong-Jik Kim).
The aim of this event was to find solutions to immediate challenges and plan for the future in terms of giving shape to policies, research, and specialized programs related to developmental disabilities, as well as enhance society’s interest and understanding in the issue. The 2023 Autism Festival, named "Eeum" to represent how it connects autism research and clinical trials, consisted of three sessions and a celebratory performance.
In the first session, on the theme "Introduction to Autism Research at Seoul National University Hospital," Bung-nyun Kim, Director of Seoul National University Hospital's National Autism & Developmental Disorder Center, introduced the current status of various research related to developmental disabilities.
In the second session, various programs which were selected by the National Autism & Developmental Disorder Center as excellent programs for 2022 were shared, including:
△ a social and sexual intervention program for adolescents with developmental disabilities (So-jung Kim, former clinical psychology expert at Hanyang University Hospital)
△ a consultation program for persons with developmental disabilities, guardians, and employees (Jung-woo Son, Center Director for Chungbuk National University Hospital)
△ Doorun Doorun, a video-based social promotion program (Young-sun Jang, Special Teacher at Seoul National University Hospital).
In the third session that followed, studies related to the development of neuroscience mechanisms and treatments for autism were introduced, which included:
△ Introduction to Research on Autistic Neuroscience Mechanisms (Dr. Jeongjin Kim, KIST)
△ Introduction to Research on Development of Autistic Treatments (Dr. Sanghee Lee, KIST)
△ Introduction to KIST-SNUH Joint Research (Dr. Changhyuk Lee, KIST).
In addition, artwork created by artists with developmental disabilities was on display during the break, and a performance was held prior to the closing of the event by an orchestra comprised of members with autism named Dream with Ensemble, enriching the festival and touching many attending the event.
Seok-Jin Yoon, President of KIST, stated that “Research on developmental disabilities is an essential challenge for Korea that we must solve together. We hope that this event will continue to be a platform for various activities and programs aimed at promoting integration and understanding between the autistic spectrum disorder community, researchers, and medical staff."
Yong-Jik Kim, Chairman of the KIST Future Foundation, commented, "Our society should encourage and support the challenge of scientists and medical staff to solve human difficulties such as autism and dementia. This festival is of great significance to present an integrated future roadmap for the issues of developmental disabilities, and I hope it will serve as an opportunity to increase society’s understanding and interest in this issue."
Bung-nyun Kim, Director of Seoul National University Hospital's National Autism & Developmental Disorder Center, added that "We hope to become an inclusive society where many people help with warm empathy so that people with developmental disabilities can enjoy the future they want as a member of our society. Continuous improvement of the laws and systems for people with developmental disabilities and support for welfare policies are paramount."