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Connecting cultures through education: A YouTuber’s journey in impacting today’s education for girls
Post date:
2023/11/30
23 October 2023 (Last update: 22 November 2023)
In celebration of the International Day of the Girl Child on 11 October, renowned YouTuber Liry Onni shared the story of how education helped bridge two cultures in her life and how it paved way for her success as a content creator.
We sat down for a question-and-answer with Liry Onni, a leading Argentine content creator with Korean roots, who has forged a successful career in networking and became influential on YouTube, with her channel gaining over 2.9 million subscribers. Her story is a testament to the power of education in a person's life and how it can bridge different cultures.
As a woman, Liry was privileged to be able to access quality education and fulfill her dream. In the context of International Day of the Girl Child, it is important to remember that millions of girls around the world face barriers to accessing education — in 2023, we still see 122 million girls to be out of school. Through the content that she creates, Liry seeks to raise awareness on the role of universal and inclusive education in changing this reality and providing opportunities especially to girls.
Q: You mentioned that education has played a pivotal role in your life and career as a content creator. Can you share with us a few anecdotes on how education has influenced your personal and professional journey, and most especially how it helped bridge the differences between your Korean and Latin American roots?
A: Education gave me not only knowledge, but also the perseverance, confidence and skills necessary to navigate between two very different worlds: Argentine and Korean. It taught me to value both cultures and to find the beauty and richness in each. As a content creator, I combine what I learned in my education with my personal experiences to build bridges and promote cross-cultural understanding. Education gave me the tools to thoroughly research and understand the topics I share —especially when I report on cultural issues or news about Korea; I have a solid foundation to convey the information in an accurate and contextualized manner. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have had access to a quality education, and I feel the urge to return that favor to society by sharing and educating others.
Q: Based on UNESCO statistics revealed in their SDG 4 mid-term progress review, 122 million girls do not have access to education.
How does this number shape your motivations to advocate for girls education? What specific actions do you think people can take to help change this situation and help promote education for girls around the world, i.e., through Korean education and culture?
A: That number left me speechless. Every one of those girls has dreams and aspirations, just like I did when I was growing up. I believe we can all make a difference, whether it's supporting organizations that work on girls' education, promoting gender equality in our communities, or simply informing ourselves and speaking out on the issue. Korean culture deeply values education and perseverance. By sharing stories and values of Korean culture, I hope to inspire more people to value and support girls' education around the world.
Q: Your work as a YouTuber has built a global community of over 2.9 million subscribers, mainly Spanish speakers who are interested in Korean culture. How do you think your platform can be used to raise awareness and promote the importance of education, especially in relation to Korean culture, and what messages would you like to convey to your followers and viewers on this topic?
A: My platform is a powerful tool to educate and raise awareness. Through my videos, I share not only aspects of Korean culture, but also the value of education and how it can transform lives. I want my followers to see that education is a key tool for understanding and respecting other cultures. In addition, I want to convey the message that we all have a role to play in ensuring that education is accessible to everyone, regardless of gender or background. If I can inspire at least one person to take action or value education more, I will consider myself successful.