SDG-Aligned Program Summary

This pilot initiative mobilized undergraduate and graduate students to develop and deliver creative design-thinking programs for lower-grade elementary students in underserved areas.
A total of 63 students were selected, with 42 completing the program, contributing to curriculum design, teaching material development, and instructional delivery.
The project supports SDG 4 (Quality Education) by enhancing early education access and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through collaborative engagement with schools and local education authorities.

Through the translation and dissemination of the Stanford Social Innovation Review (SSIR) into Korean, this initiative expands student access to world-class resources on social innovation and sustainable development. It incorporates SSIR content into educational programs, encourages student-led knowledge production, and strengthens impact literacy.

In 2024–2025, the initiative reached an audience of approximately 1,000 subscribers (online and offline), supported 56 students through SSIR-based educational activities, and published 3 locally authored articles on SSIR Global.

By improving access to high-quality, globally recognized learning resources, and encouraging students to engage with real-world issues, this initiative strongly advances SDG 4 (Quality Education). It also contributes to SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through collaboration with global institutions and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) by fostering social innovation literacy.

This student-led initiative empowers undergraduates to design and implement creative solutions to address social issues through community-based volunteer projects. It fosters civic engagement, inclusivity, and leadership while strengthening the university’s culture of social responsibility.

In 2024–2025, the program engaged a total of 247 students across 8 project teams — 7 teams (210 students) in the spring semester and 1 team (37 students) in the fall. Each team addressed local or structural inequality through project-based learning and direct community action.

The initiative contributes to SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by promoting inclusive participation, empowering youth leadership in tackling marginalization, and building sustainable models for student-driven impact. It also aligns with SDG 4 (Quality Education) by providing experiential learning opportunities and with SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through collaboration with local organizations.

Held at Hanyang University from September 21 to 28, 2024, this international social innovation event used football as a medium to address social stigma and inequality faced by individuals experiencing homelessness. Organized in collaboration with the Homeless World Cup Foundation, NGOs, and local communities, the event sought to empower marginalized populations and raise awareness about housing insecurity.

The event mobilized 139 Hanyang University student volunteers, who supported logistics, translation, and engagement efforts. Overall, it brought together over 500 athletes and delegates from more than 40 countries, drawing an estimated 5,000+ spectators. Beyond the tournament, the event included community outreach, public education programs, and policy discussion panels, transforming the university into a platform for inclusive global dialogue.

This initiative aligns primarily with SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by promoting the social inclusion of marginalized groups and challenging societal stereotypes. It also supports SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) through advocacy for more inclusive urban spaces, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by coordinating efforts between civil society, academia, and international networks.

From February 1, 2024 to February 28, 2025, Hanyang University implemented a KOICA-supported academic initiative to foster student understanding and engagement in global development cooperation. The program was structured around coursework and overseas fieldwork, promoting alignment with national and international development agendas.

Key program components included:

• “Digital Education and ODA” course with 36 participants

• “Development Cooperation and Africa” course with 35 participants

• Overseas field missions: 14 students participated (Cambodia – 10 during summer, Philippines – 4 during winter)

This initiative exemplifies SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by facilitating inter-organizational collaboration between a university, a national development agency (KOICA), and international field sites. It strengthens institutional capacity-building and provides students with experiential learning opportunities in global development, contributing to a pipeline of socially responsible leaders.

Held from November 13 to 15, 2024, the Seventeen Hearts Festival is Hanyang University’s flagship annual initiative that convenes academia, public institutions, social enterprises, and civil society actors to share outcomes and best practices in the field of social innovation. Functioning as a collaborative platform for cross-sectoral knowledge exchange and co-creation, the festival fosters multi-stakeholder collaboration aligned with the university’s civic mission.

In 2024, the festival engaged a total of 1,606 participants, including 1,220 students from the Seoul Campus and 386 from the ERICA Campus. Key program elements included forums on inclusive economy and local sustainability, interactive workshops with youth and community organizations, and networking booths designed to facilitate impact communication among partner institutions.

This initiative directly supports SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by demonstrating the university’s role as a regional convener of collective impact. It further contributes to SDG 4 (Quality Education) by enabling experiential learning beyond the classroom, and to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by promoting sustainable regional development through civic engagement and institutional cooperation.

Implemented during summer and winter breaks, Hanyang University dispatches students as volunteers through national-level partnerships with organizations such as the Korea University Council for Social Service (KUCSS), the Pacific-Asia Society, and the Korea Youth Promotion Association.

In 2024, a total of 32 students participated in overseas volunteer activities. Through the World Friends Korea (WFK) Youth Volunteer Program, 9 students were dispatched (5 in summer, 4 in winter). Additionally, the Laos University Student Volunteer Program engaged 23 students (14 in summer, 9 in winter).

This initiative exemplifies SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through cross-border collaboration with public and non-profit organizations, fostering international cooperation and mutual understanding. It also contributes to SDG 4 (Quality Education) by promoting global citizenship, intercultural competence, and experiential learning beyond the classroom.

The 2024 Korea-Cambodia University ICT Entrepreneurship Exchange Program was conducted from May to November 2024 as a collaborative initiative between Hanyang University and partner universities in Cambodia. A total of 33 students — 15 from Hanyang University and 18 from Cambodian institutions — participated in the program. Through joint workshops, mentoring sessions, and community-based innovation projects, students worked together to explore ICT-based solutions to pressing local issues.

This initiative exemplifies SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by facilitating meaningful international collaboration in higher education. It also promotes SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) by encouraging youth entrepreneurship and strengthening innovation capacity across borders. By fostering mutual understanding and equipping students with real-world problem-solving experience, the program reinforces the university’s role in advancing sustainable global development.

Held from August 5 to 14, 2024, the 2024 Industrial LINCage Festival for Global Leaders served as a dynamic platform for collaborative problem-solving between industry, academia, and young global leaders. The initiative aimed to develop practical solutions to real-world industrial challenges by facilitating cooperation between Seoul-based companies, universities, and international talents. Through this, it also contributed to regional economic revitalization via strengthened industry-academia collaboration and cross-border knowledge exchange.

The program engaged 245 participants, including 146 students from 11 domestic universities, 58 international students, and 41 facilitators from both Korea and abroad. Participants worked in interdisciplinary teams to address pressing industrial issues, exchange expertise, and build global networks.

This initiative exemplifies SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by fostering cross-sector and international collaboration to co-create impactful, sustainable solutions. It also reflects elements of SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) through experiential learning in innovation-driven environments and the reinforcement of industry-academia linkages.

Held from March 12 to 14, 2024, the Next Impact Forum@Ashoka Week was co-hosted by Hanyang University and Ashoka, a global leader in social innovation. This three-day event convened university stakeholders to explore the evolving role of higher education institutions in addressing global challenges and promoting sustainable development.

The forum featured three core sessions, participation from global speakers, and a thematic exhibition titled “Mind Shift”, aimed at encouraging paradigm changes in how universities approach social innovation. Discussions spanned topics such as changemaker education, systems change, and multi-stakeholder collaboration models.

This initiative directly contributes to SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by fostering strategic alliances between academia and global innovation networks like Ashoka. It also supports SDG 4 (Quality Education) by advancing the concept of changemaker campuses, where students are empowered to lead social transformation through interdisciplinary learning and collaborative action.

Held from April 24 to 25, 2024, the EoM-Hanyang Next Impact Forum (Economics of Mutuality Edition) brought together over 200 participants including researchers, practitioners, and students to explore sustainable business and investment models that balance profit with social purpose.

Hosted by Hanyang University in collaboration with institutions such as MARS, Inc. and the University of Oxford, the forum addressed pressing issues such as low birth rates and regional depopulation in Korea, proposing new economic frameworks rooted in mutual value creation.

This initiative strongly advances SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by showcasing effective collaboration among universities, corporations, and global thought leaders. It also supports SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) through its focus on inclusive economic systems and regional revitalization.

Held on November 13, 2024, the Collective Impact Forum, co-hosted by Hanyang University and World Vision, served as a platform to explore successful cross-sector partnerships and collaborative impact models. The forum convened 133 participants, including professionals from businesses, non-profit and social economy organizations, researchers, public sector actors, and youth leaders interested in advancing social value and sustainable cooperation.

The event featured real-world partnership cases led by World Vision and its collaborators, highlighting practical approaches to achieving measurable social outcomes through multi-stakeholder engagement.

This initiative exemplifies SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by promoting integrated efforts across sectors to address complex social challenges. It also resonates with SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) by fostering transparent, inclusive, and accountable institutional partnerships.