01Why host
A 20th birthday shared with the world
Cheongshim International Middle and High School chose to celebrate its 20th anniversary by hosting the Round Square network rather than holding an inward-looking event. The planning document states three aims: let students live out the IDEALS of international understanding, democracy, environment, adventure, leadership and service; share Korean culture as the host nation; and give students a chance to practise global leadership. It also expected the school's students and teachers to widen their international network, and to gain real experience of running an international event with schools from many countries.
02The theme
Unearthing IDEALS treasures
The full theme was 'Unearthing IDEALS Treasures: A Baraza for hope in sustainable culture', under the school motto 'Challenges for the future! The world is my stage!'. Baraza is a Swahili word for a gathering held for discussion or decision-making. The organisers paired it with its Korean sound, 바라자, which reads as 'let us hope', so that the conference became a meeting where delegates wish for one another's hopes. The double meaning gave a simple identity to the small groups that structured the week.
03Who came
Twelve schools, nine countries
The plan expected about 115 participants aged 15 to 18, from grade 9 to grade 12, drawn from 12 schools across 9 countries: the United States, Canada, Japan, Romania, India, the UAE, Bangladesh, Ghana and Pakistan. Listed schools included The Athenian School, Carrollwood Day School, Ashbury College, Yakumo Academy, The Doon School, Chittagong Grammar School, GEMS New Millennium School and International Community School Ghana, among others. The document notes that the final list of countries and schools could still change.
- Students shared rooms two to a room; teachers had single rooms
- A headquarters room managed activity supplies, first aid and leader meetings
- A teachers' lounge gave visiting staff a space to network
04The Baraza model
Small groups with a Korean leader
Delegates were split into 12 Baraza teams of 12 to 13 people, each mixed across schools and each led by one Korean Round Square student leader. The groups met for tea and refreshments on the first night, gathered in Baraza assemblies, carried out team field activities, and closed the week with Baraza group presentations. Wonjun was one of these group leaders, responsible for turning a set of strangers from different countries into a working team within a few days, while also acting as vice-representative and a student organiser for the conference as a whole.
05Day one
Arrival, then a two-hour welcome
Registration ran at the main entrance from 09:00 to 17:00 while buses shuttled delegates from the airport. A photo zone with an instant photo booth and a pin-trading table greeted arrivals. The opening ceremony, 18:00–20:00 in the main auditorium, was planned to the minute: opening declaration and guest introductions, video and live congratulatory messages, remarks from the principal and the Round Square head, a welcome for each school, and introductions of the Baraza leaders. After an intermission came an orchestra welcome concert including Arirang, a Korea quiz with prizes, and 40 minutes of student performances.
06Korean culture
Palaces, masks and drums
The programme leaned heavily on hands-on Korean culture. One day took delegates to Gyeongbokgung Palace and the National Folk Museum, then through Insadong, Ikseon-dong, Sogyeok-dong and Bukchon Hanok Village before a Nanta performance in Hongdae. On campus, elective workshops offered hanji, Hangeul and saekdong-striped bookmark making, or traditional mask decorating with a lesson in talchum mask dance, and an evening of pungmul taught the kkwaenggwari, janggu and sangmo ribbon-hat spinning. A later excursion split groups between Lotte World and a route via the National Museum of Korea, Lotte World Tower, N Seoul Tower and DDP.
07Content and close
Keynotes, missions and presentations
Between the excursions, the conference kept its discussion core: keynote speeches, Baraza group general assemblies, mission and contest presentations, and a final round of Baraza group presentations before the closing ceremony on the last afternoon. Evenings mixed in a sports day, a dance party and a movie night, with headcounts and lights-out each night. Delegates then packed, checked out and were taken back to the airport, closing a programme that the planning document framed as both a cultural exchange and a test of the school's capacity to run an international event.
