Celebrating Ten Years & Seventeen Hearts in Korea
Hanyang University Marks Decade of Social Innovation, Unveils ‘Futuremakers’ Vision
A series of landmark events, including the 10th Anniversary ‘Seventeen Hearts Festival’ and the ‘Ansan Intercultural City International Symposium,’ from September 15 to 19, 2025, solidify the university’s role as a leader in social impact and multicultural integration - not just in the Republic of Korea, but globally.
Hanyang University President Lee Ki-jung reaffirmed the institution’s core educational philosophy and commitment to creating social value.
“Hanyang University will break down the boundaries of majors, strengthen cooperation, and create social value through transdisciplinary education and research connected to the real world.”
Hanyang University has successfully concluded its 10th anniversary ‘Seventeen Hearts Festival’ and the ‘Ansan Intercultural City International Symposium,’ capstone events celebrating a decade of leadership in social innovation and changemaking. The events marked a pivotal moment for the institution, launching its new ‘Futuremakers’ vision for social innovator development and reinforcing its global leadership in building inclusive, intercultural cities.
1. A Decade of Impact and a Vision for the Future
A university’s commitment to societal progress is measured not only by its past achievements but also by its capacity to define a clear, forward-looking vision. Hanyang University’s 10th-anniversary events provided a crucial platform to both reflect on a foundational decade of work and to articulate a new educational paradigm designed to equip students for the complex challenges of tomorrow.
The ’Hanyang Social Innovation 10th Anniversary Ceremony,’ held on September 16 at the Seoul Campus, reviewed the university’s remarkable journey. This initiative began with a modern reinterpretation of its founding principle, “Love in Action,’ and led to Hanyang being named East Asia’s first “Ashoka U Changemaker Campus.” The new ‘Futuremakers’ vision, announced under the festival slogan “From Changemakers to Futuremakers,” builds directly on the legacy.
Vice President Hyun Shin of the Global Social Innovation Foundation outlined the core mechanism of the new ‘Futuremakers’ vision:
"We will connect experts from the impact ecosystems, professors, and students to provide transdisciplinary curricular and extra-curricular programs, allowing young people to gain experience fusing the formal knowledge learned at school with the experiential knowledge that is alive in the field. Through this process, we will create a virtuous cycle where the new knowledge created contributes to solving problems on the ground.”
The initiative’s significance was underscored by the presence of high-profile leaders, including Shin Jae Hyeok (Director, Korea University Institute for Sustainability), Bae Sunyoung (Director, Seoul Women’s University Center for Social Innovation Education), Yuk Shim-na (Vice-President of ESG, Kakao Impact), and Huh Jaehyong (CEO, Root Impact).
The overarching vision for developing future-focused leaders finds a powerful, real-world application in the university’s deep engagement with its local community.
2. Pioneering the Intercultural City Model with Global Partners
Hanyang University ERICA is translating its academic expertise into tangible social progress by pioneering a powerful model of university-municipality collaboration. Its partnership with Ansan City exemplifies this approach, creating globally relevant frameworks for inclusive urban development.
The ‘Ansan Intercultural City International Symposium,’ held on September 17 at Hanyang University ERICA and September 18 at Hotel Square Ansan served as a milestone celebration for Ansan. The event commemorated 20 years of its migrant support department, its 5th anniversary as an Intercultural City designed by the Council of Europe, and its achievement of a 100,000-strong foreign resident population from 114 countries.
The symposium received powerful international validation, highlighted by the participation of high-level experts and city leaders such as Rita Marascalchi, Head of Intercultural Inclusion Unit, Council of Europe), Mayor Nakano Yusuke of Hamamatsu City, Japan, Mayor Kim Byung-soo of Gimpo, and Yamawaki Keizo (Professor, Meiji University). In a gesture of recognition, the Council of Europe presented a plaque of appreciation to Ansan City for its dedicated efforts in promoting intercultural integration over the past five years.
Hanyang University ERICA Vice-President Baek Donghyun delivered a congratulatory speech, congratulating Ansan City on its 5th anniversary as an intercultural city, and recognized the strong partnership between the city and the university.
“May today's gathering serve as the starting point for Ansan's experience and vision to spread globally. Hanyang University ERICA will always stand together on the path of innovation, inclusivity, and shared development.”
3. The University as a Hub for Social Innovation and Global Connection
By strategically pairing the launch of its ‘Futuremakers’ vision in Seoul with a global symposium on interculturalism at its ERICA campus, Hanyang University demonstrated its comprehensive, two-pronged strategy for social impact and local engagement. This approach reaffirms the university’s role not just as an educational institution, but as a dynamic platform for societal advancement.
Christian Joon Park, Associate Vice-President of the Global Social Innovation Foundation, articulated how these initiatives cement the university’s role as a central hub for social engagement.
“This 10th Seventeen Hearts Festival proved that the university is a base where social innovation is practiced together with the local community. I hope this becomes an opportunity for the university to develop into a social engagement platform that connects the region and the world by combining Hanyang University’s global capabilities and Ansan’s regional characteristics.”
Cementing its role as a national leader, Hanyang University announced the formation of a ‘University Impact Alliance’ with academic partners, including Korea University and Seoul Women’s University. This alliance formalizes the university’s commitment to fostering the next generation of youth ‘Futuremakers’ across the nation.
4. Student-Led Celebration of Changemaking Culture
The Seventeen Hearts Festival at Hanyang University’s Seoul Campus was a dynamic, student-centered celebration of changemaking culture, marking the university’s decade-long journey in social innovation. With the theme “From Changemakers to Futuremakers”, the event showcased the evolving role of students not only as participants but as active co-creators of social transformation.
Approximately 20 interactive booths were organized across the campus square by student clubs, project teams, and community groups, each highlighting creative approaches to pressing social and environmental challenges. These booths, many of which integrated themes such as the SDGs, ESG, and circular economy practices, invited participants to engage with social issues through hands-on activities and awareness-building campaigns.
A key feature of the festival was the “Changemaker Talk Concert,” which brought together graduates of Korea’s first undergraduate major in Social Innovation, as well as professionals from the broader social impact ecosystem. Rather than abstract theories, speakers shared concrete stories from their own careers — ranging from founding purpose-driven organizations to working in the ESG sector — offering students a real-world perspective on how changemaking can become a sustainable path after graduation.
What made the event especially meaningful was the leadership of the student organizing committee, composed of eight undergraduates who took charge of the planning, partner outreach, promotion, and on-site execution. Their ownership and creativity turned the festival into more than a commemorative event—it became a living demonstration of the futuremakers Hanyang aims to nurture.
Through this collaborative and experiential format, the Seventeen Hearts Festival reaffirmed Hanyang University’s identity as a campus where students don’t just learn about social innovation—they practice and lead it.
At the ERICA campus, 15 booths were organized by 13 organizations sharing their ideas and works on local engagement. A total of 1,988 students visited these interactive booths, making the event a great success. Many of the students are currently taking an elective class titled “Understanding ESG and SDGs,” an initiative launched by the Global Social Innovation Foundation and the Center for Creative Convergence Education to teach design thinking and introductions to ESG and SDGs.
About Hanyang University
Found on the principle of “Love in Action,” and a vision to become the “Best for a Better World,” Hanyang University has established itself as a leading institution for higher education and social innovation in South Korea. Over the past decade, it has pioneered a university-led model for social impact and university-industry collaboration, earning recognition as East Asia’s only “Ashoka U Changemaker Campus.” Through its Seoul and ERICA campuses, Hanyang University connects transdisciplinary education with real-world challenges, empowering students, faculty, and community partners to build a sustainable and inclusive future. It has been an Ashoka U Changemaker Campus since 2018.
Interactive Booth Run By The Global Social Innovation Foundation ERICA TeamInteractive Booth Run By The Global Social Innovation Foundation ERICA Team-
Student Organizing Committee And Official Supporters Of The 10th Seventeen Hearts FestivalStudent Organizing Committee And Official Supporters Of The 10th Seventeen Hearts Festival
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ERICA Changemaker Kim Jin-Han’s Educational Technology Social Enterprise DOROERICA Changemaker Kim Jin-Han’s Educational Technology Social Enterprise DORO
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Interactive Booth CorridorInteractive Booth Corridor
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Students Engaging With The ‘Hanyang SSIR Korea Center’ Booth At The Seventeen Hearts FestivalStudents Engaging With The ‘Hanyang SSIR Korea Center’ Booth At The Seventeen Hearts Festival
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Students Attending A Session Led By Social Innovation Experts During The Changemaker Talk Concert.Students Attending A Session Led By Social Innovation Experts During The Changemaker Talk Concert.
