The 53rd Orient and South East Asian Lions Forum kicked off at the Songdo Convensia Convention Center in Incheon Free Economic Zone Friday. Some 30,000 members from 18 countries are participating in the four-day event.

The OSEAL is a regional branch of the Lions Clubs International, a secular philanthropy group that engages in community-based humanitarian work in hospitals, retirement homes, schools and disaster-stuck sites around the world.

Founded by American philanthropist Melvin Jones in 1917, the LCI is the world’s largest charity organization with more than 1.35 million members in over 200 countries, and a total of 46,000 local clubs.

“The OSEAL Forum will strengthen our friendship and fraternity in pursuit of peace and coexistence in Asia,” the chairman of the organizing committee Dr. Kim Tae-young said, noting the venue’s positive role in allaying political tensions in the region through cultural exchanges.

Presentations and performances celebrating the theme of tolerance were on display at the venue alongside stalls selling Korean foods and local specialty products.

The city of Incheon is expected to raise more than $123 million in revenue from this event, successfully following in the footsteps of the recently concluded 2014 Incheon Asian Games and Para Asian Games.

The LCI, which celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2017, is concentrating its efforts to combat illiteracy, poverty and disease for 100 million people worldwide.

The LCI supports sight-improving programs through vision screenings, eye banks and eyeglass recycling. It also guides initiatives to help with hearing loss and diabetes.

Empowering the next generations through youth volunteer opportunities is one of LCI’s priorities. The organization promotes local community welfare by providing governance and civic engagement initiatives.

By Joel Lee (joel@heraldcorp.com)