Fifteen leaders of non-government organizations (NGOs) from Korea participated in the first-ever "Global Emerging Civic Engagement Leaders Workshop" from Sept. 13-24 in Washington, D.C. and New York to help promote their understanding of the role and function of NGOs, citizen groups and grassroots institutions in a democratic society.

Co-hosted by the USC School of Social Work and JoongAng IlBo's Institute for Civic Society in Korea and underwritten by the Samsung Life Insurance Company, the leadership training program served as a relationship-building opportunity between the United States and Korea, offering participants an inside look at this year's U.S. presidential election and the role of NGOs in this process. The meeting featured a series of presentations and roundtable discussions with officials from such organizations as the World Bank's Civil Society Team, National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, International Monetary Fund, C-Span, America Speaks, National Organization for Women, Greenpeace, United Nations NGO Unit, Community Service Society of New York and various Democratic and Republican political organizations.

"The program offered a unique opportunity for Korean NGO leaders to not only enhance their ability to contribute to social integration and civic engagement in Korean society, but to learn from U.S. experience how NGOs can proactively engage in the political process," said Marilyn Flynn, dean of the USC School of Social Work.

The delegation was comprised of leaders from diverse areas of interest, ranging from the environment and women's rights to civic engagement and economic justice. Participants represented such organizations as Korea Women's Hotline, Voters Association for Clean Elections, Citizens United for a Better Society, National Young Women's Christian Association of Korea, Korea Green Fund and Korean Council for Reconciliation and Cooperation.

Je Hoon Lee, Ph.D., research associate professor at the USC School of Social Work and director of the School's Center for Asia Pacific Leadership, moderated the sessions.