GEEF

1. Background & Rationale

Universities hold a wide range of underutilized resources, including professional knowledge, volunteer time, educational content, and technological infrastructure. The concept of a Sustainable Social Resource Bank seeks to systematically share these assets to create long-term social value and promote inclusive, community-centered sustainability. This session highlights interdisciplinary approaches to resource sharing across healthcare, education, and technology, featuring both faculty-led initiatives and student-driven innovations. By showcasing practical models implemented within and beyond the university setting, the session aims to illustrate how structured resource-sharing frameworks can strengthen social impact and foster more resilient communities.

2. Session Objectives

The objective of this session is to explore practical and scalable models for implementing a Sustainable Social Resource Bank within and beyond the university context. By bringing together faculty experts and student innovators from healthcare, education, and technology, the session aims to demonstrate how knowledge, time, and technological resources can be systematically shared to generate measurable social value. Through concrete case studies and emerging initiatives, the session seeks to stimulate interdisciplinary dialogue, encourage replication of successful models, and inspire new approaches to sustainability-driven community engagement.

3. Potential Outcomes and Future Directions 

Through this session, we suggest 3 practical actions that universities, policymakers, or institutions can take to promote sustainable development.

   1) Universities

Universities can institutionalize social resource banks by systematically sharing underutilized knowledge, student engagement, and technological infrastructure to generate sustained social impact

   2) Policy makers

Policymakers can enable sustainable development by creating incentive and funding frameworks that recognize and support structured sharing of social, educational, and technological resources.

   3) Institutions

Public and private institutions can collaborate with universities to integrate social resource banking into community programs, healthcare delivery, and capacity-building initiatives for long-term sustainability.

1. Background & Rationale

Yonsei University has long been at the forefront of entrepreneurial ventures focused on tackling some of society’s most pressing issues. At the epicenter of this effort is Yonsei Technology Holdings, dedicated to identifying innovative research technologies that contribute to research commercialization, job creation, and supporting local economies.

Research is fundamental in driving solutions that advance global health, technology, policy, and many other industries that impact our lives at both the societal and individual levels. From waste rechargeable battery recycling to bridging the Digital Divide for people with disabilities, institution-backed technology holdings companies have already driven positive changes in different areas of society. The commercialization of research around the world is thus essential in encouraging the continued pursuit of groundbreaking research that can positively impact others through technological products both daily and specialized.

This technology enterprise session serves as an introduction to commercially driven social innovation in various fields at Yonsei University and beyond, led by representatives from both Yonsei Technology Holdings and Yonsei Biohealth Technology Holdings and featuring modern research innovators Repla and RDSolution, with a combined segment by award-winning display company Dot Inc., and global technology industry leader Google.

2. Session Objectives

In this research technology commercialization session, we will take a look at some of the emerging commercial research technology initiatives within and outside Yonsei University and explore the future of research commercialization.

3. Potential Outcomes and Future Directions (lncluding 3 Action ltems)

Through this session, We focus on 3 directions on how Yonsei can further grow as a partner for global technology commercialization and investment.

   1) Accelerate commercialization of Yonsei-developed technologies

Connect research outcomes to industry partners, investors, and commercialization pathways.

   2) Strengthen the startup and investment ecosystem

Identify technologies and teams with spin-off potential and attract funding and incubation support.

   3) Position Yonsei as a global hub for industry–academia innovation

Enhance visibility, partnerships, and long-term collaboration both domestically and internationally.

1. Background & Rationale

The COVID-19 pandemic was a historic event that shook the foundations of health cooperation between low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and developed countries. While many developed countries rapidly implemented mass vaccination within six months of the emergency approval of preventive vaccines, low-income countries faced an inevitable loss of life due to very low vaccination rates of around 10%. This experience revealed the folly of relying on the goodwill of developed countries to navigate the global pandemic. As a result, LMICs have been making significant efforts to develop and supply vaccines locally, leading to the implementation of numerous rapid-response programs focused on technology and human resource development, particularly in Africa.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare of the Korean government and the World Health Organization (WHO) have agreed to establish and operate the Global Training Hub for Bioprocess (GTH-B) in Korea to develop human resources for vaccine production. Since 2022, the GTH-B has provided training in biopharmaceutical research, development, and production to trainees from LMICs. 

This session will highlight the efforts made by the Korean government and educational organizations and provide a forum for discussion on how to further enhance the program, secure vaccine sovereignty in LMICs, and strengthen the capacity of the healthcare industry, thereby improving sustainability.

2. Session Objectives

During this session, we will evaluate the accomplishments of the GTH-B and discuss how to improve relevant programs to secure vaccine sovereignty in LMICs, as well as strengthen the overall capacity of the healthcare industry.

Experts from Yonsei University, Korean Ministry of Health & Welfare, GTH-B Support Foundation, RiGHT Foundation, and the International Vaccine Institute will elaborate on the topic in alignment with the UN SDG #3 targets.

3. Potential Outcomes and Future Directions 

Through this session, We focus on 3 directions on how Yonsei can further grow as a partner for global technology commercialization and investment.

   1) Universities

As educational institutions, universities can further educate individuals on the importance of vaccination, as well as on how to produce and utilize such vaccines safely. While educating future healthcare professionals, universities can emphasize the value of vaccination on one’s health through collaborative efforts with governments and communities.

   2) Policy makers

Policy makers have strong influence in shaping their nations’ infrastructures, programs, and systems. Governments and institutions are capable of implementing new policies or improving existing ones relevant to vaccine accessibility and healthcare. Effective policies can stimulate the healthcare industry to reassure individuals on the safety of vaccines and medicines, and further support research and development in alignment with both domestic and international interests.

   3) Institutions

Academic and research organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), international agencies, and financial institutions have the capability to elaborate on the need for vaccination for every individual’s good health and well-being. With the great example of the Ministry of Health and Welfare of the Korean government and the WHO together establishing the GTH-B, transnational collaboration among institutions can encourage the public to understand why professionals are pursuing to secure vaccine sovereignty in developing states, and how it is related to promoting global sustainability.

1. Background & Rationale

The Paradox of the Digital Shift

As the world undergoes a rapid digital transformation, fueled by breakthroughs in Large Language Models (LLMs) and predictive analytics, a profound paradox has emerged. While these technologies offer unprecedented precision in public administration and healthcare, they often inadvertently reinforce social exclusion. For vulnerable populations—the elderly, those requiring intensive care, and individuals with cognitive or intellectual differences—the digital shift can act as a barrier rather than a bridge, creating a "secondary digital divide" where the benefits of data are unevenly distributed.

Super-Aging Societies and Social Fragility

In East Asian contexts, specifically South Korea and Japan, the urgency of this issue is underscored by a "super-aging" demographic reality. In Japan, the Long-Term Care Insurance (LTCI) Database opens an opportunity for proactive, human-centered clinical insights that improve the daily quality of life for the elderly. In South Korea, the rapid adoption of Digital Health platforms poses a critical question: how can we ensure these AI-enabled systems are "inclusive by design"? Without intentional policy intervention, AI health promotion risks prioritizing those already digitally literate

The "Invisible" Vulnerable: Borderline Intellectual Functioning (BIF)

A significant but often overlooked group consists of individuals with Borderline Intellectual Functioning (BIF). Falling between the thresholds of "typical" cognitive development and "recognized disability," this population frequently lacks tailored social support. As traditional community ties weaken, these individuals face high risks of social isolation. AI and data pathways offer a unique opportunity to provide "soft" interventions—customized digital companions, predictive isolation alerts, and simplified communication tools—that can reconnect them to the social fabric.

Rationale for a Human-Centered Pathway

The trajectory of AI can be steered through "Human-Centered Design" (HCD). By placing the lived experiences of vulnerable groups at the center of data architecture, we can transform AI from a tool of surveillance or efficiency into a tool of empowerment and connection. This session brings together leading researchers from Japan and Korea to share evidence-based strategies for building these inclusive digital pathways.

2. Session Objectives

The session aims to evaluate how national-level longitudinal data, such as Japan's Long-Term Care Insurance database, can be leveraged to predict functional decline and optimize care interventions, directly supporting SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). By analyzing these large-scale datasets, the session seeks to establish evidence-based care models that ensure universal health coverage is both proactive and personalized for the elderly.

Furthermore, the session is designed to identify policy pathways for promoting inclusive digital health in South Korea, aligning with SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). Participants will explore strategies to ensure that AI-enabled health promotion does not exacerbate existing social divides but instead bridges the gap in health access for those with low digital literacy or limited resources.

Another core objective is to showcase targeted AI applications designed to prevent social isolation among "invisible" vulnerable groups, such as those with Borderline Intellectual Functioning, contributing to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). By focusing on these case studies, the session will highlight how technology can foster more resilient and inclusive community networks that provide universal access to social support.

3. Potential Outcomes and Future Directions 

Through this session, we suggest 3 practical actions that universities, policymakers, or institutions can take to promote sustainable development.

   1) Universities

Universities can launch interdisciplinary programs that merge Data Science with Public Administration and Social Welfare. By training "social-tech" practitioners who understand both algorithms and human vulnerability, academic institutions ensure that future AI developers prioritize ethical inclusion and accessibility over mere technical efficiency.

   2) Policy makers

Policymakers must establish regulatory standards requiring all public AI and digital health services to be "inclusive by design." This involves creating legal frameworks that protect the privacy of longitudinal data while mandating that new technologies remain accessible to individuals with low digital literacy or cognitive challenges.

   3) Institutions

Public and private institutions should deploy AI not for administrative automation, but as a tool to trigger human-to-human connection. By using data to identify social isolation risks and facilitate community support, institutions can transform digital platforms into resilient networks that strengthen social solidarity for the most vulnerable.

1. Background & Rationale

Today’s youth are the first generation to experience the immediate impacts of climate change and the last with the opportunity to meaningfully address it. While they may currently hold institutional power, young people have consistently refused to remain silent. Across the world, youth activists are raising their voices to challenge inaction and demand accountability from decision-makers.

Equipped with energy, knowledge, creativity, and adaptability, youth possess the capacity to become key drivers of a sustainable future. In recent years, young leaders have emerged as integral actors in the global sustainability movement, translating concern into concrete action within their schools, communities, and societies.

Therefore, it is imperative to create spaces that empower young people to move beyond awareness and engage in practical, collaborative solutions. Supporting youth-led initiatives and cultivating the skills necessary for real-world impact are essential steps toward building a more sustainable and resilient future.

2. Session Objectives

   1) Amplify youth voices: This session will provide the youth leaders with a platform to share 

        their firsthand experiences and perspectives in addressing environmental challenges.

    2) Inspire participants: Support and replicate youth-led solutions by identifying the institutional,

        educational, and community-based support systems necessary for long-term impact.

     3) Demonstrate practical pathways: This session will offer the opportunity to act through

  concrete, student-led initiatives that move beyond advocacy toward tangible outcomes.

3. Potential Outcomes and Future Directions 

Through this session, we suggest 3 practical actions that universities, policymakers, or institutions can take to promote sustainable development.

   1) Universities

Create mechanisms to support youth-led sustainability initiatives by providing financial and academic resources and ensuring that young people's momentum and commitment to sustainability are effectively nurtured.

   2) Policy makers

Policymakers can enable sustainable development by creating incentive and funding frameworks Listen to the voices of the younger generation and develop meaningful, constructive policies that support long-term sustainability, including reforming educational literacy, climate responsibility, and action-oriented learning from an early age.

   3) Institutions

Institutions can create standing youth advisory councils that participate in program design and evaluation, ensuring that youth perspectives are systematically reflected in sustainability initiatives

1. Background & Rationale

Reflecting the GEEF 2026 theme, “Time for Action: Emerging Technology and Global Solidarity,” this session highlights how transdisciplinary research and technological innovation can drive global cooperation in addressing urgent societal and environmental challenges. It calls for approaches that bridge academic, sectoral, and national divides through next-generation technologies.

Featuring Yonsei TRUST and Y-CIRCLE, the discussion dives into the novel approaches these two transdisciplinary research teams use to reduce social divides and advance climate solutions through integrative, technology-enabled frameworks. Both initiatives show a strong commitment to collaboration and innovation-led collective action.

Yonsei TRUST (led by Chairman Shinki An) tackles structural inequality and polarization through inclusive, resilient platforms that connect research with policy and community action. These efforts attempt to strengthen collective resilience by integrating rapidly advancing technologies to enhance policy design and implement practical solutions across diverse contexts.

Y-CIRCLE (led by Professor Tae Dong Lee) advances climate action through global collaborations like Horizon Europe, local partnerships with different industries, R&D-driven innovation, and sustainable interdisciplinary climate education. By connecting new technologies with cross-sector cooperation, Y-CIRCLE helps scale climate solutions while strengthening global solidarity.

Additionally, the session will explore how universities can use emerging technologies to foster unity through innovative, transdisciplinary approaches. It emphasizes the need for collective action and the key role of higher education in shaping an inclusive and sustainable future around the world.

2. Session Objectives

The following session aims to:

• Highlight how transdisciplinary research can respond to social divides and climate risks.

• Demonstrate effective strategies from Yonsei TRUST and Y-CIRCLE for resilience and sustainability

• Promote collaboration among academia, policymakers, and practitioners to bridge gaps and advance inclusive development. 

3. Potential Outcomes and Future Directions 

Through this session, we suggest 3 practical actions that universities, policymakers, or institutions can take to promote sustainable development.

   1) Universities

Universities can create cross-disciplinary centers that harness new technologies to confront complex global issues.

   2) Policy makers

Policymakers can support and fund technology-enabled initiatives that bridge academic and professional domains.

   3) Institutions

Institutions can develop education programs that equip future leaders with the skills to use suitable technology for cooperative and diverse  problem-solving.

1. Background & Rationale

WITH (Wholistic Interests Through Health) is an organization rooted in Food and Nutrition for Good News, a specialized mission organization dedicated to food and nutrition. Through its Yellow Window Perspective, WITH conducts research, education, and field-based interventions to address health and nutrition challenges in 73 vulnerable regions worldwide, known as Yellow Window areas.

Yellow Window regions are places where severe health and nutrition crises overlap. Globally, one in every twenty children in these regions dies before reaching their fifth birthday, and maternal mortality rates are approximately 55 times higher than those in high-income countries. In addition, one in four children suffers from chronic undernutrition, while two out of five women of reproductive age experience anemia. At the same time, nearly 40 percent of the adult population is overweight or obese. As a result, these regions face the complex challenge of the double burden of malnutrition, where undernutrition and overnutrition coexist.

Such health and nutrition vulnerabilities are being further intensified by climate change. Yellow Window regions are structurally limited in their capacity to respond to climate change and are therefore more directly and severely affected by climate shocks such as droughts, floods, and heatwaves. The climate crisis destabilizes food systems, degrades health environments, and weakens care systems, acting through these pathways as a key driver that exacerbates the double burden of malnutrition and nutrition inequality. Consequently, enhancing the effectiveness and sustainability of WITH’s nutrition-specific interventions and nutrition-sensitive interventions requires an integrated approach that explicitly considers the climate–nutrition nexus.

Under the theme “Climate Crisis and Nutrition Security: Building Resilient Communities,” this session addresses two core questions: why protecting nutrition is essential amid the immense challenge of climate change faced by health- and nutrition-vulnerable regions, and how communities can strengthen their capacity—resilience—to respond to and recover from such crises. In particular, the session focuses on integrating new technologies into climate mitigation and adaptation strategies as a means to reduce global inequalities in nutrition and health and to support sustainable and inclusive development. In this regard, the session closely aligns with the overarching theme of GEEF 2026, “Time for Action: Emerging Technologies and Global Solidarity.”

Furthermore, the session seeks to highlight the realities of regions where the climate crisis, food insecurity, and health and nutrition challenges intersect most acutely. By promoting inclusive and community-centered approaches, it aims to help narrow inequality gaps and strengthen global solidarity. Ultimately, the session aspires to provide a meaningful platform for practical dialogue on building sustainable and resilient communities capable of withstanding and recovering from climate shocks

2. Session Objectives

This session aims to highlight nutrition as a critical response strategy in the face of the global climate crisis and to share approaches for building resilient communities based on the interconnections between climate change, food systems, and health and nutrition. Through this session, we seek to demonstrate both the necessity and the practical feasibility of an integrated, nutrition-centered approach to climate crisis response.

Through a keynote address and panel discussions, the session will foster meaningful dialogue on sustainable development in practice, community engagement, and global solidarity, while reflecting on their broader implications for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

  1) Enhance understanding of the structural linkages between the climate crisis and global nutrition 

       security

• Examine how the nutrition inequality is intensified in climate-vulnerable settings through the interconnected systems of climate change, food systems, health environments, and nutrition security
• Explore policy approaches for integrating climate crisis response strategies (mitigation and adaptation) within nutrition intervention programs

  2) Share local-level nutrition realities and response experiences under climate shocks

• Present the real impacts of climate shocks on local food and nutrition security, drawing on a school feeding case study from the Toliara region in southern Madagascar

• Facilitate field-oriented discussions on the limitations and potential of community-based responses

  3) Discuss integrated climate–nutrition strategies from a public health perspective

• Public health approaches to climate crisis response for nutritionally vulnerable groups, including mothers and young children
• Explore health system linkage strategies through a climate-health nexus lens

  4) Derive practical implications through analysis of WITH’s climate-responsive nutrition programs

• Analyze the achievements and limitations of WITH’s field programs in integrating climate response and nutrition interventions

• Present evidence-based recommendations for future policy development and program scale-up

  Expected Outcomes

• Build international consensus on recognizing nutrition security as a core priority in climate crisis response

• Strengthen understanding of—and commitment to action on—integrated intervention strategies grounded in the climate–nutrition nexus

• Identify actionable directions that link field-level experiences with policy discussions to enhance community resilience

• Expand opportunities for global solidarity and cross-sector collaboration among international development, food systems, public health, and nutrition stakeholders

3. Potential Outcomes and Future Directions (Inckudubg 3 Action ltems) 

This session clearly underscores that protecting nutrition security in the era of climate crisis is not only a health-sector concern, but a core strategic priority for sustainable development and global solidarity. Building on this session, WITH will continue to advance integrated action and collaboration grounded in nutrition expertise, enabling the most vulnerable communities to recover, adapt, and shape sustainable futures even amid climate shocks.

Through this session, we suggest 3 practical actions that universities, policymakers, or institutions can take to promote sustainable development.

   1. Strengthen Climate–Nutrition Nexus–Based Program Design and Field Implementation

• Re-align and integrate WITH’s existing nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions within the context of climate change

• Develop and apply nutrition intervention models that prioritize climate-vulnerable regions and strengthen community resilience to climate shocks

•  Enhance multi-sectoral approaches that link food systems, health environments, and care systems

  2. Promote the Mainstreaming of Nutrition in Policy and Public Health Domains

• Generate evidence-based knowledge and engage in policy advocacy to integrate nutrition perspectives into climate crisis response policies and public health strategies

• Expand policy dialogue platforms on the climate–nutrition nexus through collaboration with academia, international organizations, and civil society

• Serve as a bridging actor, connecting field-based experiences with policy discourse

   3. Advance Scale-Up Strategies through Global Solidarity and Knowledge Sharing

• Strengthen global networks and partnerships in the climate–nutrition field through international forums such as GEEF

• Establish sustained platforms for academic exchange and practice-oriented learning that share field experiences, research findings, and policy implications

Promote collective international action for climate-vulnerable regions through the Yellow Window Perspective