Growing As Citizens of the World: Students Address Water Challenges

In a world where access to clean water remains a pressing concern, IVECA continues to empower students by facilitating virtual exchanges that transcend borders. Ahead of the United Nations High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) later this month, the recent Live Classes between Korea, China, and Tunisia served as platforms for students to explore the theme of water access inequality and how we can work together to solve the issues many of us face.

During the Live Class between Korea and China, students delved into the water-related problems prevalent in their countries. Students engaged in in-depth research, investigating the quality, usage, and accessibility of water resources in their communities. They explored issues such as water pollution, scarcity, and the adverse effects on health and economic development. Korean students highlighted issues like radioactive substances, heavy metals, and water-use restrictions on companies while emphasizing the need for safe and clean water to ensure sustainable development. Chinese students echoed these concerns, addressing daily water usage, water pollution, and the shrinking of rivers and lakes due to human activities.

While the Live Class between China and Korea centered on discerning the water problems their communities face, students from Korea and Tunisia embarked on a mission to propose innovative solutions to water-related challenges. Inspired by the United Nations' sustainability efforts, they sought to make a tangible impact by creating cleaner water opportunities in their respective countries. With a focus on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as cleaner energy, innovation, job and economic growth, clean water, and a green environment, these young minds formulated proposals ranging from biological wastewater treatment technologies to water circulation systems powered by sunlight. Tunisia's students showcased initiatives like SunDrop, a nonprofit organization employing advanced technologies to combat increasing droughts, and AquaFlow, a rainwater collection and purification system for households and communities.

As IVECA continues to bridge the gap between students across the world, our shared mission aligns with the overarching goals of the United Nations HLPF, which is to tackle global issues through the full implementation of UN SDGs. By addressing water challenges, IVECA highlights the urgency and importance of SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) while promoting dialogue and understanding among young global citizens. Through their research, discussions, and proposed solutions, students exemplify the potential for collaborative action in creating a sustainable future.

The journey of these students, from exploring water issues to proposing innovative solutions, demonstrates the power of virtual exchanges in nurturing a sense of global citizenship. Their dedication to addressing water challenges underscores the interconnected nature of our world and the need for collective efforts to safeguard this vital resource. As the HLPF provides a platform to discuss and drive sustainable development, initiatives like IVECA amplify its message by empowering the younger generation to actively participate in finding solutions to global issues.

As one of the students from Korea put it, "Our meeting today will be the first step in our growth as citizens of the world." The Live Classes not only provided a transformative learning experience but also nurtured a sense of interconnectedness among students from different cultures and backgrounds. These remarkable exchanges reiterate the importance of education to shape global perspectives and ignite a passion for positive change.

#IVECA #VirtualExchange #InterculturalCompetence #HLPF #SDGs #GlobalCitizenship

Costa Rica’s First IVECA Semester: Live Classes on Water Issues

In a remarkable exchange of knowledge and ideas, students from Costa Rica and South Korea recently engaged in a series of Live Classes facilitated by IVECA. Costa Rica students, who joined IVECA for the first time, had exceptional cross-cultural learning experiences throughout the semester. They appreciated the opportunity to expand their perspectives through lively discussions with their counterparts in Korea.

The Live Classes revolved around the theme of water, shedding light on the challenges and disparities regarding access to clean water and usage in their respective countries. In Korea, groups emphasized the extensive usage of water across various sectors, such as the agricultural and industrial segments. Yet, they expressed concerns about water pollution, particularly the impact of plastic waste, which seriously threatens water quality. Similarly, Costa Rican students highlighted the multifaceted nature of water usage in their country, while noting the challenges posed by the pollution of the Tarcoles River, the most polluted river in Central America, caused by untreated wastewater and trash from urban areas and factories.

Through these interactions, students actively participated in comparative learning, exchanging insights and observations on people’s actions and utilization of water sources. Korean students voiced admiration for Costa Rica's commitment to clean energy, and they were inspired by Costa Rica’s voluntary neighbor associations working to provide water in rural areas, as opposed to the government-led system in their country. Costa Rican students were fascinated by Daecheong Dam’s beautiful night view attracting tourists and were surprised at the affordability of water in Korea.

As these sessions came to a close, students shared gratitude for learning about each other's cultures and their water-related challenges. “This has truly been an enriching experience,” said a Costa Rican student. They also underscored the importance of international exchange in broadening their horizons and developing their qualifications as global citizens, with one Korean student noting, “as the world is getting globalized and internationally connected, the value of international exchange we have would get more and more important. Through dealing with global problems by communicating with other countries, we can expect a better solution for current problems and expand our horizons in the process.”

#IVECA #VirtualExchange #GlobalCitizenship #InterculturalCompetence #CostaRica #Korea #WaterIssues #SDGs #LiveClass

Education for Equality

On June 12, IVECA partners from India and South Korea joined together for their Live Class, presenting about inequalities in their countries. Based on their observations and research focused on their home countries, groups introduced inequalities in each of their communities. The opportunity to become aware of community issues brings new knowledge of global citizenship and empathy for the world around them. Students from both countries acknowledged the importance of education to solve common types of inequalities.

Students recognized income inequalities in their societies as a principal topic to research. The educational opportunities in rural areas often fall short, which directly contributes to the inequalities presented. A student from India explained, “Educational infrastructure is distributed unequally between rural and urban areas. Students in rural areas suffer from scarcity and inadequate accessibility of schools, as well as the poor quality of education, and are forced to travel large distances.” Caste inequality, which refers to the unequal distribution of wealth and income among citizens, affects the rights of an estimated 260 million people worldwide. For India, many of those affected by caste inequalities live in rural areas without access to education.

Similarly, in South Korea, medical inequalities are widened due to the lack of education and access to health care technology. The COVID-19 pandemic shed light on the widening gap between regions to medical care. A student announced, “This affected the activities of people living, learning, and working. This affected social safety and caused a health gap with races and ethnicities.” Both groups of IVECA partners researched racism, gender, age, and religious inequalities. Lack of education affects how people are treated by others in their communities by limiting people’s exposure to different cultures and opportunities to explore new environments.

Concluding the Live Class, a South Korean student read, “Thank you for sharing your views on inequality and showing examples from your country. It was an eye-opening experience to learn about people who grew up in a different social environment from us.” With a new perspective learned from each other, students are empowered to educate themselves, others, and create changes starting at home.

#IVECA #GlobalCitizenship #InterculturalCompetence #India #Korea #EducationforEquality #SDGs #VirtualExchange #LiveClass