<The Village Project – What Happened
to Our Children?>
The Oxford Global Agenda Project 2026 / Arts & Social Justice Series
<Seeun Kim – The Oxford Global Agenda Project 2026>
Today, we live in a global society. Because our society consists of various types of people, she thinks that the responsibility of the individual extends beyond themselves and encompasses their role in society. The problems faced by individuals, society and the state will differ depending on what society they are in and what institutions they have. Perhaps today we already think of the world in terms of it being an international family or global neighbours.
Seeun believes that the purpose of society is to help us grow, progress and find happiness. Inspired by this idea, she has created a range of societal art projects that merge jewellery with global issues. Her work centres on jewellery and metal objects informed by the humanities and social sciences. Alongside these, she uses photography and film to express her ideas in the most inclusive ways possible—incorporating text, British Sign Language, and English braille.
She hopes her work offers viewers a moment for self-reflection and greater awareness. Through her societal art projects, she communicates her thoughts with courage and imagines a society where everyone can live with a smile. Her projects have enabled her to engage with diverse audiences around the world.
<The Village Project – What Happened to Our Children?>
/ Arts & Social Justice Series
"It takes a whole village to raise a child," an Igbo proverb from Nigeria, emphasises the social responsibility that extends beyond parents to the entire community in ensuring children's healthy growth and development. The meaning of this proverb resonates even more strongly in today's society, which is facing serious child-related issues.
Despite continuous efforts in laws and systems for child protection, heartbreaking incidents where children who should be protected lose their lives due to neglect or abuse are repeated. Particularly alarming is the occurrence of abuse by parents within the home, which should be the safest place. This reality clearly demonstrates that child abuse is not a private family matter, but an urgent task that our entire community must come together to solve.
Therefore, I firmly believe it is necessary to reflect on the meaning of the proverb that "a whole village" must raise a child together. Along with strong institutional support, it is desperately needed that all members of the local community recognise their duty as adults to protect vulnerable children and actively participate.
Some people might be wondering which number corresponds to each part. The numbers presented in each part of the project represent the seriousness of the reality children face today:
- 34,793: The number of referrals to child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) crisis teams in England between April and October 2024, classified as urgent or very urgent. Many children requiring emergency treatment, some severely ill with suicidal impulses or eating disorders, remain on NHS waiting lists for months, sometimes years.
- 3 in 10: The proportion of children in the UK living in poverty. Government statistics have branded this figure a "source of national shame."
- 4.3 million to 4.5 million: This figure shows that the number of young people in poverty in the UK surged by 200,000 between 2023 and 2024.
- 7,000: The number of unresolved child sexual abuse cases in the UK over the past year.
- 18: The average time it takes for a child aged between 13 and 15 in a rape case to receive justice in court is approximately 18 months.
Every child is a special and valuable being, deserving of inherent rights. So, what have we done for children as adults?
To answer this question, we must take time to ask ourselves deep questions.
Have we created an environment where children can grow safely?
Have we sincerely listened to their voices and respected their opinions?
And have we built a social safety net so that children can receive sufficient education and medical benefits?
Furthermore, we must confront the painful question of whether we have neglected issues like child abuse, poverty, and inequality in educational opportunities, even when we knew about them. I believe we, as adults, need to reflect on whether we have been indifferent or shirked our responsibilities, despite being aware of these pervasive societal problems.
