Hello! I am Lee Ji-yeong, working at MAP. While studying social welfare in graduate school, I mainly think about advocacy for migrants’ rights and welfare.
I was mainly active out of concern for the human rights of people with disabilities, and then became interested in migrants’ rights through an exchange student program and a YP placement at another organization. Just as I was thinking that I knew far too little about the situation of refugees in Korea, I came to know MAP, and I joined and have been working together with the team since this second half of the year. The team I belong to is the MHPSS team, which thinks about the mental health of refugees! This second half of the year, we are working on a project to create an inclusive counseling space and to establish a process for intake and referral for refugee mental health counseling. I regret that I cannot contribute as much as I would like, but I am enjoying taking part, and I want to keep standing in solidarity steadily from now on.
There are moments when inspiration flows, such as when I read a good book, go to an art exhibition, watch a movie or listen to music, and those are the times when I feel most like myself and happy. I also enjoy encountering sharp, critical thinking. I am also happy when I meet admirable people, or when I have deep conversations with people who let me be myself. I think these precious joys are the moments when I feel most like myself.
A trip to South America, finding an exercise I can enjoy doing steadily!
First of all, I hope that I, as one person, become someone with a broader range of thought :) If, starting from my own change, I can also help change how the people around me perceive migrants, that would be wonderful. I hope that someday I can stand in solidarity through research! As for the project in progress, I hope we can make MAP’s space one filled with hospitality and affection! I also want to think deeply about how to build a good case management process for refugee mental health. I hope that the people who come to MAP receive sincere hospitality from the people and the place here.
