Uiwang City Selected for Ministry of Interior and Safety 'Citizen Policy Design Excellence Project', Wins Minister's Award

Uiwang City selected for Ministry of Interior and Safety Citizen Policy Design Excellence Project

Wins Minister's Award, Secures 60 Million Won in Special Education Grant

Develops 'Peer Counseling Service Model for Seniors' with Citizens

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-sung] Uiwang City announced on the 21st that it won the Minister's Award at the '2022 Citizen Policy Design Excellence Project Outcome Sharing Conference' hosted by the Ministry of Interior and Safety and secured 60 million won in special education grants.

The '2022 Citizen Policy Design Excellence Project' competition is a citizen-participation-based policy model that improves and develops public services through the participation of citizens, civil servants, and service designers in the policy process. Through first and second rounds of expert review and online public screening, 23 excellent institutions were selected from a total of 103 institutions (central administrative agencies and local governments).

Uiwang City won the Minister's Award with the project titled 'Peer Counselors Who Become Neighbors When They Move, Connecting Everything You Need.'

Uiwang City's Peer Counseling Service for Seniors is a project that provides psychological support through empathy and comfort via peer counseling to seniors struggling with aging and rapid social changes, and establishes an information provision and connection system for elderly welfare services needed for later life through counseling.

In June, the city held a launch ceremony with 11 participants including citizens, related experts, civil servants, and service designers, and promoted approximately 10 workshops through September to develop a peer counseling service model to support the psychological and emotional needs of seniors.

Additionally, after joining the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities in August of last year, during the first term (2022-2024), the city is actively implementing various policies to prepare for the coming hyper-aged society, not only 74 detailed implementation projects in 10 key areas but also expanded senior employment opportunities, free bus rides for seniors, and health promotion programs for the elderly, as well as policy commitments of the 8th popular election term.

Mayor Kim Seong-je of Uiwang City said, "Through citizen participation and open communication administration, I will continue to realize city administration that is created together with citizens' participation and input," and "I will do my best to enable seniors to lead healthy and vibrant later lives in Uiwang City."