Catholic Conference set to make history in the 'Metaverse'

The 2022 SIGNIS World Congress (SWC) hosted in Seoul is the world's first Catholic event to be held in the 'Metaverse,’ enabling many  Catholics around the world to participate in and enjoy the events in real-time.

From August 15-18, this year, Catholic journalists and communicators from all over the world will meet in Seoul. Those who can't travel will join them in a unique online experience.

The SWC is to be held at the Jesuit-run Sogang University in Seoul, with the theme “Peace in the Digital World.”

It will be recalled that the SWC is delayed by a year. On June 22, 2020, the SIGNIS World board of directors overwhelmingly voted to delay the World Congress and Assembly of Delegates, originally scheduled for August 2021 in Seoul.

SIGNIS is a worldwide Vatican-accredited organization of Catholic communicators, with headquarters in Rome and Brussels. It is a  movement for professionals in the communication media, including radio, television, cinema, video, media education, internet, and new technology.

Besides conducting Catholic mass, meetings and voting on Metaverse, the 2022 Seoul SIGNIS World Congress will also provide an 'exclusive and incredible opportunity' where Pope Francis will be giving his blessings to the attendees who participate in the SIGNIS World Congress opening ceremony.

SIGNIS Korea (Seoul) is working closely with Korean broadcasters such as KBS, MBC, SBS, EBS, and CPBC.

In December last year, former Prime Minister Han Seung-soo is the Chairman of the organizing committee of the SWC and signed the memorandum of agreement with  Kim Young-kun, CEO of GG56 Korea.

He emphasized that adopting the Metaverse technology will showcase Korea's willingness to embrace innovations as one of the pioneers of the 4th industrial revolution.

The former prime minister assured Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-Taick of Seoul that the organizers would seek ways to 'proclaim the Good News amid the pandemic' through the virtual space.

 GG56 Korea, a block-chain-based company with headquarters in Hong Kong, is partnering with SIGNIS Korea. CG56 Korea said in a statement that they feel honoured yet responsible for contributing to this event by providing its technical support in building the Metaverse platform,  a 'gateway to connect 1.34 billion Catholics worldwide.

According to media reports, the Metaverse platform is expected to be ready by the end of June.

Metaverse is a network of 3D virtual worlds focused on social connection.

Having the SWC in the Metaverse will resolve the cross-border travel restrictions amid the ongoing covid-19 crisis. It will allow hundreds of Catholics, journalists, and media officials across the world to participate in various sessions and programs and to communicate.

Chairperson of the SIGNIS Korea Executive Committee Francis Kim Seung-wal recently revealed plans for the hybrid mega event.

“We will create three zones, namely the Congress zone, the Peace zone, and the Holy Site zone,” he said.

In the Congress zone, a congress hall will be set up and include breakout rooms and a prayer room.

“A participant can join the congress as an avatar with the capability to vote and meet in the Metaverse space,” said Kim.

There will be a special sector for promoting each country’s Catholic Church and Catholic media in this zone.

In the Peace zone, donation rooms for Catholic charity organizations, such as Caritas and Asian Communication Network will be set up.

In the Holy Site zone, a participant can make a pilgrimage in Korean martyr shrines, displayed in 3D and guided by an avatar.

Moreover, the Committee also added that the Metaverse platform would enable participants to engage in various discussions, transforming this event into a meaningful venue for sharing universal Catholic values and cultural heritages.