{0>세계사회복지교육협회(IASSW) 세계대회 참가기<}0{>Reflections on the opening ceremony of the IASSW World Congress 2008 in Durban

Prof. Sun-Wha Choi

Silla University, Korea

<0}

{0>어릴 적 동물의 왕국을 보며 자란 세대에게 아프리카는 꿈과 동경의 세계였다.<}0{>As part of the generation that grew up watching a TV program called 'Animal Kingdom’, Africa was a world of wonders and a place I dreamt of visiting someday. <0} {0>그러나 지리적 거리 못지않은 심리적 거리감으로 인해 선뜻 가보지 못한 미지의 세계이기도 했다.<}0{>But it was an unknown world which I was unable to visit due to both its psychological and geographical distance.<0} {0>그런데 마침 세계사회복지교육협회 세계대회(IASSW World Congress)가 아프리카에서 열린다니 열 일 제치고 기대와 설레임 속에서 참가하기로 했다.<}0{>Then, I heard that the IASSW World Congress will be held in Africa. So I put everything behind me and decided to participate in the event with high expectations and a fluttering heart. <0} {0>그러면서도 남아공 더반 보다 세계인들의 관심을 끌 장소가 아프리카에 더 많을 것 같은데 왜 하필이면 더반에서 이 기간에 열리는가에 대한 의문을 떨치기 어려웠다.<}0{>Yet, it was difficult for me to shake off the question on why it was held in Durban when there were so many other places in Africa that could catch the attention of people from all over the world. <0} {0>나의 이런 의문은 개막식 행사에 참가하면서부터 풀리기 시작했다.<}0{>My questions started unraveling as I participated in the opening ceremony which struck me as a most beautifully choreographed event, coordinated by the Chair of the Congress Organising Committee, Professor Vishanthie Sewpaul. 

<0}{0>개막식은 아프리카 남성과 인도계 아프리카 여성들의 춤으로 시작되었다.<}100{>The opening ceremony started off with a dance by African males and Indian-African females, an appropriate combination given that Durban has the highest Indian population outside of India.<0} {0>남성성과 여성성의 조화가 이루어내는 아름다움은 이번 대회의 주제에 대한 상징적 의미를 잘 드러내고 있었다.<}100{>The beauty and harmony of masculinity and femininity reflected the symbolic meaning of the theme of this wonderful event - that of<0} {0>지역, 인종, 문화, 나이, 빈부 그리고 성별 간의 차이를 넘어서 조화와 화합을 통한 새로운 질서의 창조라는 주제가 아름다운 춤사위를 통해서 자연스럽게 전달되었다.<}100{>creating a new order through harmony and unity surpassing differences in nationality, race, culture, age, wealth, and gender. This was naturally conveyed through the beautiful dance. <0} {0>그 뒤를 이은 환영사와 의전이 이어지다가 느닷없이 대회기간 동안 90세 생일을 맞는 넬슨 만델라를 위한 생일 축하노래를 부르자고 제안했고 그에게 바치는 춤 공연이 이어졌다.<}100{>Afterwards, the welcome addresses and ceremonies followed with prominent international and national speakers. Then, all of a sudden, there was a call to sing happy birthday for Nelson Mandela celebrating his 90th birthday – a poignant moment with 1550 delegates from across the globe paying tribute to a world icon who symbolizes peace, harmony, non-racism, unity and reconciliation. The second African-Indian fusion dance dedicated to Nelson Mandela was also symbolic of striving toward unity and reconciliation - the keywords of putting this event, and the entire Congress together. <0}

{0>뒤 이은 기조연설은 더욱 놀랍게도 10세 소년이 맡았다.<}100{>I was pleasantly surprised by the keynote speech given by 10 year old, Anfani Okosun. <0} {0>미국 퍼듀대학에서 공학을 공부하는 천재소년의 눈에 비친 지금 세상의 문제와 그에 대한 해결책은 어린 소년의 순수성과 천진성에 의해서 더욱 빛났고 기립박수와 감동을 선사했다.<}100{>The problems in the world today and the solution to the eyes of a little boy who was studying engineering at Purdue University shone even brighter due to his purity and innocence. It stirred emotion and brought on a big round of applause with a standing ovation.<0} {0>그는 세계는 식량과 권력, 그리고 물이라는 자원으로 나뉘어졌고 나눔을 봉합할 수 있는 방안으로서의 공동적 노력과 함께 교육의 변화와 개인적 변화를 위한 성찰을 요구했다.<}98{>He said the world is divided on account of unequal distribution of resources such as food, power, and water, and as the way to mend divisions he asked people to engage in joint efforts to undo racism, sexism, environmental degradation and economic exclusions and oppressions. He called for social workers to engage in self-reflection and make changes in themselves as well as in the world around them. <0} A child from the streets of {0>뒤를 이어 더반의 길거리에서 생활하고 있는 소년이 화답의 메시지를 보냈다.<}99{>Durban was the main respondent to the keynote speaker to remind us about the lived reality of poverty, inequality, suffering and oppression.   {0>이 소년은 자신들은 이런 장소나 이곳에 모인 사람들과는 아무 상관이 없는 사람이라며, 길거리에서 부랑자로 생활하면서 느낀 점을 진솔하게 전했다.<}98{>This boy said they have nothing to do with the place and people gathered there that day and frankly talked about what he felt as he lived on the streets. <0} He exhorted social work practitioners and educators from around the world to talk to and include the people that they work with in decision making. {0>‘우리들에게 당신네들 식으로 요구하고 지시하지 말아 달라’는 부탁과 그들 사이에서 일어나는 자생적인 연대에 대한 이야기는 큰 감동을 주었다.<}97{>He requested: ‘Do not demand or order us to do things your way,’ and his story about a natural solidarity arising among them was very moving and he too got a standing ovation. <0} {0>세계대회에서 대단한 사람이 기조연설을 하리라 기대했었지만 그 누구의 말이나 주장과 이론보다 두 어린 소년의 이야기는 모두의 가슴에 큰 감동을 주었고 많은 반성과 깊은 성찰을 촉구했다.<}99{>I thought some “great person” would give a keynote address in the World Congress, as is usually the tradition. But the story of two young boys moved the hearts of everyone more than any words, opinion or theory of anyone, and urged us to reflect on and deeply examine ourselves. <0}