For the ninth year, Hanil High School students from Korea joined international partners from Brazil, India, Nepal, and Taiwan to forge new partnerships for positive change. These young innovators tackled global issues, including poverty, hunger, social injustice, and climate change, by sharing collaborative solutions from diverse stakeholders.
Hanil students emphasized the importance of community-driven efforts for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) #1: No Poverty and explored the impact of landfill waste on climate change. Their proposed solutions included environmental education, global teacher collaboration, food waste-to-compost technology, and strategic policies. They stressed the need for raising awareness, reducing poverty, and fostering collaboration among governments, businesses, and civil society organizations. Through these discussions, they forged cross-border connections, united by a shared vision to transform lives and communities.
Brazilian students from Colégio Militar de Curitiba participated in their first IVECA program, joining an interactive Live Class. They emphasized the need for nationwide collaboration to achieve the UN SDGs 13 and 15, focusing on the climate crisis and environmental degradation. They highlighted the importance of improved environmental education and expanding learning resources. A Brazilian student remarked, "It has been a memorable journey, and we will carry these lessons with us as we move forward." This sentiment reflects the profound impact of the exchange, where students gained valuable knowledge and cross-cultural understanding for a more sustainable future.
Taiwanese students from Yang Mei Senior High School discussed global issues related to poverty and hunger (SDGs 1 and 2), emphasizing the rising prevalence of undernourishment and child malnutrition exacerbated by epidemics, conflicts, climate change, and inequality. They stressed the roles of governments, businesses, and individuals in developing resilient food systems, leveraging technology and partnerships, and cultivating a culture of peace and justice.
Nepalese students from Creative Academy emphasized the urgent need to address climate change through Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13. Their key ideas included enhancing climate education for students and promoting a culture of environmental awareness and social responsibility. Recognizing the significant climate impact of landfill waste, they advocated for solutions involving education, technology, policy, and collaboration.
Indian students from JKG International School focused on improving education (SDG 4) through student exchanges and climate action (SDG 13) by collaborating with the local government on initiatives like solar power and tree planting. They emphasized the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and create positive change locally and globally. An Indian student expressed gratitude, saying, "Your creativity and enthusiasm made learning enjoyable and engaging, and for that, we from India are truly grateful."
As students continue their journeys, the connections and cross-cultural understanding cultivated during these exchanges will inspire them to be catalysts for transformation locally and globally. A Korean student expressed the value gained from the IVECA spring semester: "Before this program, I had little idea about how we act for our better future. But through this activity, I became more confident about myself as a global citizen." This testimonial highlights IVECA's impact in broadening students' perspectives and empowering them as part of a global community. IVECA live classes, culminating after a semester-long virtual collaboration, have equipped these young innovators with the knowledge, skills, and determination to create a more equitable, just, and environmentally conscious world.