Convers(at)ions @ Korean Demilitarized Zone

Convers(at)ions:
Dialogue and Transformation

The 2-hour online symposium (expert meeting) explores how militarized borders can be transformed into nature reserves and how ecological objectives can contribute to conflict resolution.

The event „Korean DMZ | European Green Belt Convers(at)ions: Dialogue and Transformation” promotes creative exchange, cooperation and learning from DMZ approaches and European experiences in border transformation.

The international online Symposium “Korean DMZ | European Green Belt Convers(at)ions: Dialogue and Transformation” facilitates creative exchange and promotes cooperation, learning from both DMZ approaches and European experiences in border transformation, exploring how militarized borders can transform into nature reserves and how ecological agendas can heal conflicts.

The online symposium is organized by Hybrid Space Lab in collaboration with Prof. Zoh Kyungjin of Seoul National University Graduate School of Environment Studies and head of the project “DMZ Ecological, Cultural, and Historical Resource Study” and the Korean National Arboretum.

Hybrid Space Lab developed in 2019 and 2020, following an invitation from Seoul National University, Graduate School of Environmental Studies, DZMpace a spatial-architectural-landscape-artistic project at the Korean DMZ (in the Civilian Controlled Area).
DMZpace focuses strongly on environmental issues and the topic of renaturation and peace tourism and was inspired by the European Green Belt project.

online Symposium

Introduction and Moderation

Prof. Elizabeth Sikiaridi and Prof. Frans Vogelaar, Hybrid Space Lab

Speakers

Jörn Brunotte, Preliminary Office World Heritage European Green Belt, Germany
Lecture title: From Memory to Culture

Michael Cramer, Former Member of the Berlin House of Representatives and Former Member of the European Parliament, Germany
Lecture title: Berlin Wall Trail and Iron Curtain Trail

Dr. Liana Geidezis, Head of Green Belt / Regional Coordinator Central European Green Belt, BUND Friends of the Earth, Germany
Lecture title: European Green Belt – Nature.Culture.History

Karin Kowol, Project Manager Green Belt Thuringia, Germany
Lecture title: Borders Separate – Nature Unites – Youth Encounters along the European Green Belt

Dr. Alexandra Kruse, Preliminary Office World Heritage European Green Belt, Germany
Lecture title: From Memory to Culture

Dr. Birgitta Ringbeck, Former Ministerial Counselor, ex. Head of the World Heritage Coordination Office German Federal Foreign Office (2012 – 2022), Germany
Lecture title: The Threshold OUV (Outstanding Universal Value): Experiences and Challenges in Preparing Nominations of Mixed Serial Sites to the World Heritage List

Prof. Dr. Kyung Jin Zoh, Seoul National University, Republic of Korea
Lecture title: Korea DMZ Border Area: Biodiversity and Sustainable Development, Issues and Challenges

Participants

Kae Sun Chang, Head of International Cooperative Unit, Korea Forest Service, Republic of Korea

Florian Danzinger, MSc, Deputy Head of Expert Team Remote Sensing & Spatial Analysis, Umweltbundesamt GmbH, Austria

Sonia Fernandes, Architect and Urban Researcher, Green Belt Thuringia, Germany

Christiane Heiß, German Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, Germany

Jeff Hou, Singapore National University, Republic of Singapore

Prof. Dr. Shin-ha Joo, Seoul Women’s University, Republic of Korea

Mi Jin Koh, Researcher, Seoul National University, Republic of Korea

Haelynn Kyum, Architecture and Urban Designer, Milan, Italy

Seungyeol Lee, Researcher, Seoul National University, Republic of Korea

Herbert Lohner, Senior Adviser Urban Nature, Friends of the Earth Germany

Prof. Myriel Milićević, Department of Design, University of Applied Sciences Potsdam, Germany

Ami Oh, Korea National Arboretum, Republic of Korea

Prof. Dr. Choong-Hyung Oh, Dong Kuk University, Republic of Korea

Dr. Janine Randerson, Artist, Head of Visual Arts, Associate Professor, School of Art + Design, Faculty of Design and Creative Technology, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand

Young-ai Seo, Director, ESOO Landscape Architects, Republic of Korea

Dr. Rachel Shearer, Artist, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Design and Creative Technology, School of Future Environments, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand

Convers(at)ions

Convers(at)tions invites and hosts trans-disciplinary dialogue on the conversion potential of the Demilitarized Zone and the European Green Belt, looking at the role nature and environmental conservation activity can play in transforming negative spaces such as military demarcations and borders.

Learning from the process of converting the European Green Belt into a nature monument and from the European Green Belt’s application for the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage status.

And learning from the innovative interdisciplinary approach of DMZ-related projects that involve artistic imagination and creative practices in order to transform the conflict tourism into peace tourism – with the longer-term perspective of converting the DMZ into a nature monument and peace park.

DMZ Ecological, Cultural, and Historical Research Study

The research project by Prof. Zoh Kyungjin, Seoul National University, Graduate School of Environmental Studies,  adopts an ecological-cultural landscape concept, examining how natural environments and human cultural activities interact to form unique landscapes in the DMZ region.

DMZ Ecological, Cultural, and Historical Resource Study stands apart from previous research by adopting a truly comprehensive approach that examines the DMZ border region through multiple lenses. By integrating ecological, cultural, and historical perspectives, we aim to develop a more nuanced understanding of this unique area and its potential for conservation and sustainable development.