Showcase “Meet Me in the Future”

Launched alongside the children’s book open call “Meet Me in the Future” — running from April 21, 2025, to May 18, 2025 — and accompanied by a series of talks and satellite workshops on themes such as “children’s freedom to explore and choose careers,” “Meet Me in the Future” attracted significant interest and participation from the community. The program received more than 260 submissions from individual and group creators of all ages and from across different regions, reflecting its spirit of creating opportunities for everyone to contribute, share their stories, and become storytellers.

The “Meet Me in the Future” open call not only inspired fresh and innovative ideas for children’s books on the theme of careers, but also sparked and amplified widespread engagement from the broader community — especially among parents, teachers, educators, illustrators, authors, and those interested in education, children, and gender equality. Every submission to the program represents a voice helping to challenge gender stereotypes and social norms that hinder children in exploring themselves and pursuing their career aspirations.

ICBC, ECUE-VGEM, and Kim Dong Publishing House are delighted to welcome visitors to explore the inspiring creative space of the “MEET ME IN THE FUTURE” showcase. Open to the public free of charge, the showcase presents more than 260 creative ideas submitted to the program through imaginative and inspiring installations, alongside meaningful and engaging interactive activities.

The “Meet Me in the Future” showcase space is where ships of dreams set sail with hope for a world in which every child is free to choose their own path and the work they wish to pursue. Each wind-filled sail carries an inspiring career story — drawn from childhood dreams, familiar professions, or emerging roles gradually taking shape in the flow of our changing times. This journey toward painting a vibrant and diverse world of professions also reflects the deep commitment of people with disabilities, parents, teachers, young people, and children in raising their voices to create positive change and dismantle the gender stereotypes and norms that continue to limit children in discovering themselves and pursuing their professional dreams.