We’ve worked with diverse people, from different places, all at different points in their lives. We are constantly inspired by these folks. From their ability to interpret playwork, their passion for children’s play to their determination to give children better opportunities with the simple offering of play. This yeaar’s Campference features two extraordinary playworkers and showcase their awesomeness. We’re thrilled to introduce our inspirational keynotes for Playwork Campference 2024: Eunbi Oh and Ahmet Cemil Tepe.
Eunbi Oh
PUAP: Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Eunbi: I am a passionate founder and playworker dedicated to the advancement of enriched childhood experiences through Popup Play Seoul. As the driving force behind Playwork Korea, I lead a pioneering Korean playwork research and activities. This is focused on building child-friendly cities with an emphasis on the interplay between playwork, playscapes and child-friendly cities in South Korea. As a visionary leader committed to revitalising the essence of play for children, I specialise in creating popup play spaces that encourage risk, challenge, creativity, freedom and overall holistic well-being.
PUAP: Which part of the world do you come from? What do you like about it?
Eunbi: I come from South Korea. I think I could describe Korea as “Dynamic Korea.” Even though many things change rapidly, it’s a country full of elements that can inspire you just as much.
PUAP: How did you discover playwork?
Eunbi: I learned about playwork through Play Wales when I was doing preliminary research to start a Popup Play Seoul project.
PUAP: How do you play?
Eunbi: I enjoy spending time in nature, drawing, or doing yoga when I play. I like to walk the mountain trails next to my house, take strolls with a friend, wander around the neighbourhood to eat delicious food and visit exhibitions, and feel the new seasons. I love spending time around my home and playing in this way.
PUAP: What is the title of your keynote?
Eunbi: Re-imagine Playwork in South Korea.
PUAP: And what will you be talking about?
Eunbi: As a playworker in South Korea, I was drawn to this field by a distinct awareness of certain issues, leading me to explore the evolving identity and perceptions of playwork influenced by both personal and external viewpoints. Through Popup Play Seoul, our playwork endeavours have been deeply intertwined with Korean culture, enhancing our grasp of the roles and attitudes shaping this domain. This moment invites us to reflect on playwork’s trajectory in Korea, seeking insights and ideas for its advancement. We will also contemplate its potential impact on our society and envisioning a brighter future through collaborative imagination and action.
Dr. Ahmet Cemil Tepe
PUAP: Tell us a little bit about yourself
Cemil: I have worked in both the public and private sectors for 18 years in the field of landscape planning and design. I am currently working as an administrative and technical manager in the Parks, Gardens and Green Areas Directorate of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. I’m also responsible for the YAYSIS project, which aims to develop the Istanbul green area management strategy document for the 2050 green area vision of Istanbul. I manage the Oyun İstanbul (Play Istanbul) brand, which focuses on tactical urbanism studies and gamification of the city in Istanbul as part of the Istanbul play master plan. Additionally, I chair the commission of national and international support funds that carry out various EU projects related to ecologically based regeneration, circular economy, clean green energy, and tactical urbanism studies. I also conduct research on support and volunteerism in managing green spaces to increase participation. Finally, I have academic studies on green space management systems, quality of life, and user satisfaction and holds a PhD in Urban Landscape Planning.
PUAP: Which part of the world do you come from? What do you like about it?
Cemil: I am from Istanbul in Turkey. I see Istanbul as a city of opportunities for play and I dream of a play-friendly, playable Istanbul.
PUAP: How did you discover playwork?
Cemil: I discovered wıth Oyun İstanbul. The tactical urbanization strategies here are the areas I try to specialize in as a landscape architect. It also helped me become a father of 2 children at the age of play 🙂
PUAP: How do you play?
Cemil: Play is everywhere in my life. We are constantly competing with my children while eating and walking on the street. I participate in many extreme sports with my friends. In fact, my motto is as follows: skiing in winter, diving in summer, rafting in spring, camping in autumn. I also play by myself. There are many things I enjoy and play with myself. Like my monthly book reading challenges, my camping adventures in nature alone, my unplanned trips abroad, the marathon I’ve been running for 10 years.
PUAP: What is the title of your keynote?
Cemil: Accessing the post-disaster child with the healing power of play.
PUAP: And what will you be talking about?
Cemil: Play heals because it brings us together again. It reveals emotions and makes us feel that we are not alone. We saw that play is good for children who experienced traumas after the disaster with our HOP project, where we reached 9000 children in the Hatay earthquake region for 8 months. We experienced the advantages of mobile and unstructured free play in reaching children in the disaster area.
You can still register for Playwork Campference 2024! If your journey begins outside Turkey, please register here. Register as a Turkish resident here. There are also opportunities to present at our Campference – submit a proposal here. If you have any questions, please email suzanna@popupadventureplay.org.
By Pop-Ups Zan
