The Hanyang University Global Social Innovation Foundation newly established the ‘Hanyang Wish Leader Group’ in the second semester of 2025 with the goal of solving social problems. The Hanyang Wish Leader Group gathers students interested in the SDGs(Sustainable Development Goals) to plan social innovation projects. In addition to participating in on-campus events, they engage in exchanges with off-campus impact-oriented organizations. The Global Social Innovation Foundation supports students so they can carry out projects systematically and assists with networking.

The SHF(Seventeen Hearts Festival) celebrated its 10th anniversary last year and was held on its largest scale ever. The Hanyang Wish Leader Group participated in the SHF as members of the planning team. They planned the overall event, including operational methods, booth layouts, and the selection of prizes for the stamp rally. Furthermore, they prepared experiential content to convey the 17 SDGs to Hanyangians in an easy and fun way. With the university's help, they also recruited companies and guest speakers for talk concerts. Choi Hyun-joo(Department of Chinese Language & Literature, Senior), who served as the first president, said, “For me, it was the first time operating such a large-scale event. I was able to develop practical business sense while adjusting plans to account for various variables.” Han Chae-won(Department of Interior Architecture Design, Senior) recalled, “It was a meaningful experience to communicate directly with companies and operate the entirety of the event.”

The Hanyang Wish Leader Group also participated in a university-linked social participation project hosted by the Seoul Volunteer Center. Taking on the role of leader student volunteers, they conducted the ‘Campus Volunteer Boom-up Campaign (E-D(Empty-Dispose) Campaign, Smile Campus Campaign).’

The E-D Campaign is an environmental initiative that collects PET bottles, old clothes, and waste banners while promoting proper waste separation methods. The resources collected through this campaign were reborn as upcycled benches. The 토토사이트 첫충 Wish Leader Group guided the transformation process, conveying the meaning of a Circular Economy to participants. While the overall operational goals and content were predetermined, the 토토사이트 첫충 Wish Leader Group was responsible for the rest of the planning.

They also carried out the Smile Campus Campaign, which connects various members within the campus. This campaign involves delivering messages of encouragement written by students to various campus members, including custodial staff and faculty. The Hanyang Wish Leader Group delivered these messages along with prepared gift bundles. Han said, “The custodial staff at the Paiknam Academic Information Center and Library responded with applause. I realized that a single word of thanks can lead to a great resonance.” Seong Min-kyo(Department of Chinese Language & Literature, Junior) remarked, “Through these activities, I reflected on the lack of interaction I previously had with campus members. I hope a culture of sharing small nods or warm words spreads further.”

The Hanyang Wish Leader Group provides opportunities to explore social innovation sites. They visited member companies of the ‘Impact Alliance’ to conduct interviews with professionals. Sung said, “I was able to vividly confirm the practical work at sites that create social value. It was an opportunity to examine industrial mechanisms while interacting with experts.”

Recently, they visited the social cooperative ‘English Cooperation(EngCoop)’ to hear stories from the field. Engcoop is an institution that provides free education to children from low-income families who have difficulty accessing private education. By visiting the site, the Hanyang Wish Leader Group personally experienced the social problem known as the ‘blind spot of education.’ Choi stated, “Witnessing social problems I had only encountered through books and news made me realize the necessity of problem-solving more deeply.” Han added, “It was meaningful to talk with professionals who are usually difficult to meet.”

Low student interest and participation in campaigns are among the concerns held by the Hanyang Wish Leader Group. As a solution, Han noted the increasing number of international students. She mentioned, “My English and Chinese skills were lacking, but when I approached them first, they participated more actively than expected. I felt that the important thing is the attitude of reaching out directly.”

Choi recalled the last day of the SHF as a difficult moment. Strong winds blew on the final day, causing standing signboards to fall and booth tents to be at risk of flying away. While team members held onto the tents with their whole bodies, all facilities had to be withdrawn due to continued heavy rain. She said, “Despite the dangerous situation, it finished safely without anyone getting hurt. Our trust and bond grew stronger as we prepared for the campaign together.”

Han cited sustainability as a point of differentiation from existing volunteer campaigns. She emphasized, “We meticulously record our activities and contemplate how to connect them to the next project. The activities do not end as a one-time event but lead to student-led social innovation.”

Choi mentioned the value of solidarity. The Hanyang Wish Leader Group goes beyond volunteering themselves to create opportunities for others to participate. She said, “In the process of learning proper waste separation and delivering words of gratitude, we can lead participants to become practitioners of the SDGs.”

Sung compared the Hanyang Wish Leader Group to a pair of ‘glasses.’ This means that the group helped him clearly see the blind spots of the world and what he needs to do. He stated, “It became an opportunity to accept social problems, which I had only encountered as theories, as our own problems. I have gained a vision to truly empathize and stand in solidarity with the lives of others.”