Changwon Chosen as Host of 2012 IAEC Congress

The opening session of the 11th four-day biennial congress of the International Association of Educating Cities (IAEC) is under way in Guadalajara, southwestern Mexico, on April 22, local time.

Changwon, capital of South Gyeongsang Province, has been chosen as the host of the next general assembly meeting of the International Association of Educating Cities (IAEC) slated for 2012.

The selection was made at the opening day of the 11th four-day IAEC Congress in Guadalajara, southwestern Mexican state of Jalisco, on April 22.

Kim Tae-yul, director of Changwon City in charge of lifelong learning affairs division, and chief of the steering committee of the 12th biennial IAEC World Congress, said in an acceptance speech that the city will successfully host the next general assembly meeting under the theme of "Green Environment, Creative Education" from April 26-28, 2012.

"Our city will be reborn as a mega Changwon on July 1, integrating two neighboring cities of Masan and Jinhae," Kim said. The integrated Changwon will have 1.08 million population, compared to the current half a million population, become the largest primary local administrative unit in Korea.

He introduced "world-class prime city" of Changwon in a video to participants, along with a recorded congratulatory message of Mayor Park, attracting their interest to "Changwon," the first Asian city ever hosting its congress. Mayor Park Wan-su was unable to take part in the congress due to local elections slated for June 2, he added.

IAEC was set up in 1990, aimed at working together on projects and activities for improving the quality of life of city inhabitants according to the approved Educating Cities Charter. It has some 400 member cities from 35 countries.