On May 30, 2025, the World Bank Korea Green Growth Trust Fund (KGGTF) hosted the Green Growth Sharing and Closing Ceremony of its 2nd Youth Internship Program at the Seoul Global Center in Seoul. The event marked the successful conclusion of an intensive, multi-month program that engaged 19 young professionals in hands-on research, analysis, and project development to support sustainable development and climate action. A total of 82 participants from 24 institutions across the public and private sectors joined the celebration, underscoring the collaborative and cross-sectoral nature of the program.
The ceremony commenced with opening remarks by Mr. Hyoung Gun Wang, Program Manager of the Korea Green Growth Trust Fund at the World Bank, who emphasized the importance of youth empowerment in advancing green development. This was followed by congratulatory remarks from Mr. Woojin Chang, Deputy Director of the Development Finance Division at the Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Korea, and a video message of encouragement from Mr. Richard Damania, Chief Economist for the Sustainable Development Practice Group at the World Bank. Ms. Jiyon Shin, Consultant at KGGTF and Planner and Coordinator of the internship program, provided an overview of the program’s structure and achievements, emphasizing how it empowers youth, strengthens partnerships, and fosters consensus for green growth.
A keynote lecture was delivered by Professor Taeyoon Kim from the Graduate School of International Agricultural Technology at Seoul National University, exploring the role of green growth in agriculture and rural development.
Interns then presented their sectoral analyses in areas including digital development, agriculture, energy, environment, urban development, transport, and water. Expert panelists provided valuable feedback, bridging the realities of development work with the idealism of sustainability. Ms. Amal Kadir, Specialist at the UN Asian and Pacific Training Centre for ICT for Development, stressed the importance of “youth voices in shaping digital solutions.” Mr. Yoon Seok Ko, Executive Principal at the National Information Society Agency, emphasized addressing the digital divide and increasing transparency in AI. Mr. Junghyun Kim, Partnership Specialist at the FAO Partnership & Liaison Office in the Republic of Korea, noted the strong alignment between KGGTF’s and FAO’s priorities and encouraged further collaboration. Mr. Inchul Hwang, Senior Energy Specialist at the World Bank, commended the program’s consistent growth and its demonstration of young people’s capacity to lead just energy transitions. Ms. Soojin Jeong, Policy Analyst at the UNDP Seoul Policy Centre, called for deeper knowledge exchange on environmental resilience.
During the intern reflection session, three interns shared how the program shaped their career perspectives. Nayim Lee spoke of gaining real-world knowledge in project pipelines and donor coordination. Iseo Choi emphasized the power of green growth communication, while Chanmi Kim highlighted her growing interest in evidence-based development. In a dedicated segment titled “Intern Talks: Stories of Growth and Connection,” six additional interns shared their transformative experiences, reflecting on the technical skills gained and the deepened commitment to inclusive, sustainable development.
In closing, the ceremony underscored the internship’s dual role as a platform for youth leadership and a hub for multi-institutional collaboration. KGGTF expressed its strong hope for continued partnerships through this program and beyond, in pursuit of a greener, more inclusive future.