International Students Discuss Solutions to Tackle their Countries’ Issues

IVECA Fall Live Classes season started this week with students from Argentina, India, Korea, and the United States. Despite the considerable time difference between some of these countries, students were so excited to meet their partners live that they willingly joined the live meeting either in their very early morning or late evening.

During these live classes, students presented various issues that have impacted their countries and suggested solutions to them. The problems introduced were connected with the economy, climate change, education, gun control, and students’ life. Students explained how these issues are related to Sustainable Developments Goals (SDGs) such as Decent Work and Economic Growth, Peaceful and Inclusive Societies, Quality Education, and Climate Action.

Indian and Argentinian students worked on climate change and pollution. As an example, Argentinian students described the case of Corfo Lagoon and how its waters became pink because of garbage thrown by fishing industries in the lagoon, which contaminated its waters. Students think that environmental protection should come before all other interests. They shared that “.... the city shouldn’t have given permission to the fishing industries. They should have found another solution that didn’t hurt the environment. No matter what, the environment shouldn’t be hurt or destroyed.”

One Korean group of students discussed the difficulties that Korean students encounter due to the extreme competition among high schoolers to get into a good university. Students have to study for long hours and do not have time for themselves which impacts their life negatively. Students came up with their collective solution to build a healthier culture of learning; “Students should become mentors and mentees for each other, competition between students should be eliminated, and students should learn the fun of studying with their friends and classmates”.

American students expressed their concerns about gun violence in New York City and how it affects students' safety. The student group highlighted this issue as a leading cause of death for teenagers, and they found the solution from SDG#16 Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. To mitigate gun use systematically, students stressed taking active roles as change-maker, “by organizing walks out and protesting… and voting for people who can support gun control, we can help in reducing gun violence”.

The Live Classes provided the opportunity for students to enjoy meeting with their international friends and realize the importance of working together on global issues. One Indian student said that the Live Class was “a fruitful way to get an insight into each other's similarities and differences. and shared “We thoroughly enjoyed going through all the presentations made by the students and their selection of some important core matters.”

#IVECA #interculturalcompetence #LiveClass #SDGs #GlobalCitizens #GlobalEducation #InterculturalExchange #IVECAFall

Teachers Meet to Prepare Live Class

As the IVECA participants look forward to exciting Live Class celebrations, teachers have met virtually to prepare for the sessions. The Live Classes offer the opportunity for students to meet each other 'face to face' after months of asynchronous interaction with their partner school overseas through the IVECA Virtual Classroom. Each Live Class will include student project presentations on IVECA activities, a discussion between IVECA friends, and cultural performances.

Preparation begins by scheduling Live Classes, which requires a mutual understanding of time differences between the partnered schools from across the globe. The thoughtful collaboration between global partners and student excitement make scheduling workable for both sides. Teachers have expressed, "My students are really happy to meet your students in two weeks!" and, "Thank you for scheduling this, my students are very excited to see their partner on the Zoom!"

To guarantee Live Classes' success, teachers with the IVECA team go through every step of the preparation process to provide students with a seamless and interculturally meaningful virtual learning experience. These Test Sessions hosted by the IVECA Team enable teachers to meet before their Live Classes and build confidence in their role. Here, cross-cultural discussions take place on students' progress and best practices for a successful Live Class. One US teacher said, "Yes, I think we are all set for the Live Class!"

#GlobalCitizenshipEducation #InterculturalCompetence #UNSDGs #IVECA #21stCenturyEducation

Students’ Global Citizenship Inspires the World at the Second Global Virtual Roundtable

On October 13, the IVECA Center for International Virtual Schooling, in partnership with the Incheon Office of Education East Asia Global Education Institute (IEGI), hosted the Second Global Virtual Roundtable about Public Diplomacy in Modern Era: Promoting Soft Power for Humanity. The roundtable was held via a virtual webinar session while participants from Incheon were present at their conference center. This event was organized to expand the impact of the first Global Virtual Roundtable that took place during the IVECA Summer Camp this year.

Korean students introduce the Summer Camp

The roundtable was honored by the presence of His Excellency Ambassador Joon Oh from Korea and His Excellency Ambassador Hesham Elnakib from Egypt. The event was also celebrated by the expert panelists Mr. Robert Skinner, Deputy Director and Chief of Partnerships and Global Engagement at the Outreach Division of the United Nations Department of Global Communications, and Dr. Mariel Friberg, Assistant Research Scientist at the University of Maryland and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. IVECA’s founder Dr. Eunhee Jung moderated the roundtable discussion.

His Excellency Ambassador Joon Oh opened the session by sharing, “The world we live in today is of course globalized. We are all affected by what happens in any other part of the world no matter where we live…it is time for us to think more about the global common good. There are many global issues we should consider, such as climate change, inequalities, and sustainable development. The future of humanity depends on how we deal with these challenges and how we achieve the global common good.” Ambassador Oh stressed the importance of individuals’ global citizenship in public diplomacy since people should handle such issues with an open mind and respect for diversity in cooperation and inclusion.

Amb. Hesham Elnakib, Amb. Joon Oh and Dr. Eunhee Jung

In his keynote, His Excellency Dr. Elenakib also highlighted that people, global citizens, are the key players in public diplomacy for realizing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While the world is interconnected and shares global challenges, Ambassador Elnakib elucidated how crucial it is for people to collaborate in solidarity with a sense of belonging, compassion, and responsibility for humanity.

Showing their global citizenship, student team panelists from India, Korea and Nepal enthusiastically presented innovative projects they developed during the Summer Camp and improved its branding and promoting strategies. Four teams from three countries presented their soft power to contribute to achieving the SDGs. Korean teams introduced their scientific soft power to fight against plastic pollution and creative ways to foster a global culture of using tumblers for environmental conservation. While the Indian team promoted their medical herb for human well-being, the Nepalese team systemized their NGO initiative to enlighten people on protecting nature.

Mr. Choongyeol Yoo, Director of IEGI

As an expert’s advice on making a greater impact, Mr. Skinner from the United Nations commented, “know that you can make a difference, believe in yourself in being able to make a difference whether with your family your community you don't need to think globally all the time we all need to make a difference in where we live, and you can make that.”

Mr. Robert Skinner and Dr. Mariel Friberg

His Excellency Dr. Hesham Elnakib who taught those students during the Summer Camp concluded the Global Virtual Roundtable by giving his insight, “Remember that public diplomacy is not only a theory, is not only a way of diplomacy, but it is day-to-day life. So remember how to brand, how to promote and how to share with humanity. This is part of you and part of your character. This is your success and future.”

The event was completed successfully, with still resonating meanings and values shared among all participants. Dr. Friberg conveyed, "I appreciate the opportunity to see the phenomenal IVECA presentations and be a part of the panel. The students' progress is incredible and inspiring. What you [IVECA] do for these students and the world is so honorable. "

#IVECA #GlobalVirtualRoundtable #IEGI #InterculturalCompetence #21stCenturySkills #UNSDGs #GlobalCitizens #GlobalCitizenshipEducation #PublicDiplomacy #SoftPower