People For Earth

The 2025 People for Earth 10th Anniversary Conference was held on November 7–8, 2025, at Seongsu Stella, 2nd floor of the Econet Center. Marking a decade since its founding, People for Earth hosted this conference under the theme “Human Earth, the Rights of Nature” in collaboration with the SNU Big Data Innovation Convergence University Project Team. For the past ten years, People for Earth has grown as a knowledge community of those striving toward an Ecozoic Era—an age of harmonious coexistence between Earth and humanity—through Earth jurisprudence research and various academic, educational, and cultural initiatives. This anniversary event brought together scholars, practitioners, and students to exchange perspectives and explore practical alternatives for a sustainable planetary future.

[10th Anniversary Ceremony & Session 1. Round Table — The Future of Civilization]

The first day opened with a commemorative address by Chairman Kiwon Song (Professor of Biochemistry, Yonsei University) and congratulatory remarks by Fr. Jaedon Lee (Director, Institute for Ecological Spirituality), Yoojung Ha (senior student, Branksome Hall Asia), followed by an opening statement from Co-Chairperson Kumsil Kang. The sessions were moderated by Heejung Lim, Research Director of Sustainability at the Stanford Center Korea.

The first session convened a roundtable discussion on the future of civilization, gathering experts from climate science, philosophy, law, and other disciplines. Chairperson Prof. Wangbae Kim (Emeritus Professor of Sociology, Yonsei University) emphasized the need for new laws and institutions grounded in planetary consciousness, noting that despite scientific progress, humanity faces growing risks and uncertainty. Prof. Dokyun Kim (Seoul National University School of Law) highlighted the limits of rationality and the role of emotions in driving social change through a legal philosophy that recognizes nature’s rights. Dr. Wontae Kwon, former Director of the APEC Climate Center, stressed the ethical dimension of climate change, pointing out that scientific uncertainty grows with knowledge expansion and that its impacts disproportionately harm the socially vulnerable. Prof. Woohyun Jeong (Duksung Women’s University, Department of Pharmacy) discussed the ethical reflection needed in life sciences, insisting that science should serve to heal life’s questions rather than deepen its anxieties. Closing the session, Prof. Miseong Jang (Department of Philosophy, Soongsil University) drew on the myth of Achilles’ shield to offer a philosophical reflection on the interconnectedness and coexistence of humans, nature, and the cosmos.

[Session 2. Opening Earth Classrooms: The Vision of Ecological Education]

Moderated by Sunmin Kim (Producer, Art& ulture platform "JIGU-I"), the second session explored ecological education as a movement from curiosity to awe. Hyesook Jung (Researcher in Philosophy of Education, Seoul National University) proposed, drawing from Heidegger’s philosophy, that environmental education should go beyond information transfer to recover existential connectedness and a sense of wonder toward being. Director Bokki Min, a theater practitioner, shared that theater begins in the grasp of curiosity and evolves into the experience of awe—an artistic training that nurtures sensibility and leads to ecological practice. Environmental creator Mariel emphasized the importance of nurturing curiosity that benefits all living beings alongside reverence for nature. Kunwoo Ro (Program Officer for Ecology, Heinrich Böll Stiftung East Asia) expanded the dialogue by raising questions about the conditions, triggers, and methods that transform educational curiosity into ecological awe.

[Session 3. Big Data and the Future of Ecological Education]

The third session, moderated by Prof. Hongki Kim (Director, SNU Big Data Institute for Innovation Convergence), began with a keynote presentation by Dr. Seunghee Han (Research Professor, SNU Big Data Institute) titled “AI for Earth: Metacognition and Sensibility in Ecological Education.” Dr. Han introduced integrated educational models combining data literacy, ecological sensibility, and AI applications, highlighting the need for paradigm shifts in education and the value of personalized learning in the age of technology. Prof. Hongki Kim underscored the importance of connecting scientific observation and interpretation with emotional sensitivity, posing critical questions about reconciling science, ethics, and life in the technological era. Dr. Shinbeom Kim (Chief Researcher, Chemical Safety Center, Korean Institute of Labor, Environment and Health) pointed out how industrial settings often dull human senses and obscure environmental risks, calling for collective sensibility and education that restores our biological perception. Dongwan Kim (Researcher, Quantum Information Research Division, Sungkyunkwan University) viewed AI and coding as new languages of communication, suggesting quantum computing and emerging technologies as means of reconnecting with nature—and encouraged an open, reflective stance toward future technologies.