HIGHLIGHT
2024.05.03
'Educating Nigeria's Future in Smart Schools'
It was only 30 years ago that Korea embarked on the digital transformation of education. The government initiated the digital transformation in 1996 with the implementation of the "Phase 1 Basic Plan for Educational Informatisation. According to the '2023 Digital Education White Paper' published by The Korea Education and Research Information Service (KERIS) in February, one in every two elementary school students in Korea has received a computer or tablet PC. The number of digital devices per teacher is 2.13, providing the conditions for teaching with a variety of digital technologies. Starting in 2025, 'AI digital textbooks', in which AI will act as an assistant teacher to diagnose students' learning levels in advance and provide educational content, will be introduced to schools. Korea's leading digital education model is expanding overseas through international development cooperation projects. In Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, the construction of 'smart schools' is in full swing with the support of KOICA. It is part of a project to develop guidelines and strengthen operational capabilities to establish a digital-based education model. In this project, which started in 2021, a budget of $10.41 million (about 14 billion won) will be invested until 2025. Only 5.6% of public elementary schools have computer labs. Invitational training for teachers: Participation in COEX EdTech Expo, Digital Device Experience at the National Science Museum, Digital Literacy/Pedagogy/Copyright Education (2023) Nigeria's Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), with support from KOICA, is building 'smart schools' in six major locations across the country, including the federal capital. The smart schools are spread evenly across 37 locations in the country, including Bauchi State, Kano State and Nasarawa State. The state government provides the school land, UBEC establishes the school, and KOICA builds the capacity of the smart school management to train teachers and develop ICT (information and communication technology) learning content. Through this project, 4,320 students will receive direct digital education, and 480 teachers in elementary and middle schools will receive capacity-building training. In particular, teachers and students across the country who use ICT curriculum content based on the pilot schools can now benefit from digital education. There is a huge divide in Nigerian education between public and private schools. According to Nigeria's UBEC digital facilities status report, computer penetration in public elementary schools nationwide is only 5.6%. This compares with a computer penetration rate of 52.2% in private elementary schools. In particular, only about 14% of public elementary schools were found to have electricity. The pilot school aims to strengthen public education through digital education infrastructure. Each school will have 20 classes, including 2 kindergarten classes, 12 elementary classes and 6 middle school classes. In addition to classrooms for 40 students each, there are separate broadcasting rooms, computer labs, science rooms, libraries, and special classrooms for hearing and visually impaired students. KOICA supported the supply of learning materials and IT equipment, as well as the construction of a broadcasting room to enable the smart schools to deliver lessons using ICT content. UBEC aims to improve the educational environment and quality of education by creating an ICT-based public school model across Nigeria. Specifically for sustainable management, UBEC plans to hire its own school manager for at least five years to establish the school's overall management system and then hand it over to the state governments. Investing in teachers is investing in students Invitation study for principals: Visit to an elementary school in Jochiwon, Sejong City (left). Korea-Nigeria Smart School Principals' Round Table Conference (2022) Building a digital education infrastructure is important, but effectively utilizing it is another matter. In Nigeria, there are no official statistics on digital or ICT-related literacy rates at the national level. According to a study*, the average computer literacy rate of public and private teachers nationwide is 59%. Reducing regional disparities is also a key issue. The level of computer literacy of the regional bases was 45% in the North East, 48% in the North West, 64% in the South East and 74% in the South West. *International Journal of Research in STEM Education (IJRSE) A Study of Computer Literacy Among Stm Teachers in Colleges of Education in Nigeria(May 2020) The Nigerian government is driving digital transformation. Through the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (2020-2030), the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and the Digital Economy aims to increase broadband penetration rate from the current 37.8% to 70% by 2025 and to accelerate internet download speed to 25 Mbps in cities and 10 Mbps in rural areas from the current 1.5 Mbps. As part of its strategy to support education, UBEC has set a goal of training 105,000 teachers capable of ICT-based teaching and 2,000 IT professionals. KOICA judged that it would be difficult to promote a smart school master plan at the federal level, given the unique characteristics of Nigeria, which has clear local decentralisation. For this reason, KOICA suggested that UBEC and the state government develop smart school guidelines to effectively run the school curriculum in line with the completion and opening of the school. In particular, collaboration between state governments has been encouraged through the Smart School Committee, paving the way for a wider application across the country. Lead Teachers Local Training: Micro Teaching Announcement (2024) The focus of this project is to strengthen teachers' ICT capabilities. A small number of leading ICT teachers were trained to improve the capabilities of general teachers, and general teachers were instructed to deliver lessons using ICT. The trained lead teachers and developed programs will be utilized to continuously enhance the capabilities of teachers in Nigeria's smart schools in the future. KOICA also organized and supported research groups for each subject, such as mathematics and science, in elementary and middle schools. Teachers belonging to the Curriculum Research Council were encouraged to develop ICT content suitable for the Nigerian teaching context through school-based learning community activities. The content was certified as a standard model by the National Education Research and Development Council (NERDC) for use throughout Nigeria. KOICA is planning to hold a 'Smart Education Fair' in six states in August, together with Nigeria's UBEC. The fair selects and awards cases of excellence in school management, teaching and learning methods and student achievement. Through this process, schools that have adopted innovative approaches and effective teaching methods in the field of education seem to receive attention. The Smart Education Fair is expected to be a good opportunity to promote innovation and development in the education field and to recognize the efforts of excellent educational institutions.
HIGHLIGHT
10 years in Africa, 10 years in international organizations 'The Africa I met, the role of an ODA expert'
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) is located in the centre of Africa and is often referred to as the 'Heart of Africa'. Mr Park is the Field Office Director in the DR Congo Country Office. He started as an overseas volunteer with KOICA and then became a full-time staff member of the international organization. He is now an ODA expert who has been working in Africa for 10 years. Let's hear about the DR Congo and the role of an ODA expert from the perspective of Director Park, who has spent a decade working in Africa and another ten years as an employee of an international organization. Director Park Joon-woo He is currently Head of the UNDP Country Office in DR Congo and Programme Manager for the REDD+ Climate Change Project in Haut Uele Province. He represents UNDP in Haut Uele Province and is also responsible for overseeing the REDD+ project in the region. REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation / climate change mitigation activities, including preventing forest degradation and deforestation, conserving forests, practicing sustainable forest management, and enhancing forest carbon storage) is a iframework for combating climate change specified in Article 5(2) of the Paris Agreement. DR Congo contains 60% of the Congo Basin, which has the world's second largest tropical rainforest after the Amazon. Director Park has taken on the responsibility of assisting countries around the world, including Korea, to implement REDD+ in this region. KOICA is also supporting the REDD+ project for Haut Uele Province based on its implementation experience in the UNDP field. QYou started out as a KOICA overseas volunteer and are now a full-time staff member of UNDP, an international organization. How did your relationship with KOICA begin and how has this experience influenced your career as an ODA specialist? I have been interested in international development since I was a teenager. While pursuing my dream at university, I felt an urgent need for field experience. It was then that a senior introduced me to the KOICA Overseas Volunteer Program. I didn't realize it at the time, but looking back, working as a KOICA volunteer was an excellent opportunity to experience first-hand both the beginning and the end of international development cooperation. By spending time with the villagers in the field, I was able to learn the overall business cycle of identifying, discovering, developing and implementing business needs. Through this process, I realized the need for more in-depth study, so I pursued a Masters in Development Studies. The volunteer experience also influenced my decision to specialize in business program development and implementation. In Korea, when we think of 'international development cooperation', the first thing that comes to mind is the development and implementation of business programs. In reality, however, there are various detailed areas such as finance, human resources, legal affairs and business quality management within the realm of implementation and operation. I've been working in my field for about 10 years. Forest REDD+ Project site During his time as a KOICA overseas volunteer, the rewarding moments of communicating directly with villagers and solving problems, big and small, led him to where he is today. People creating something out of nothing in a place where there is no electricity, water or roads. A place where people support each other, learn and make a living in a harsh environment. Although more than 10 years have passed since then, conflicts continue to occur in Africa for various reasons such as race, resources and external intervention. Although there are still many unresolved issues, Director Park still feels the same overwhelming excitement he did as a volunteer, especially when he travels to the field. QYou became a full-time UNDP staff member after going through several processes, including the KOICA Overseas Volunteer Program, the Career Ladder Program and the ODA Expert System. How has your career developed along the way? After completing my KOICA overseas volunteer service, I went on to do a Masters in Development Studies at the Institute of Development Studies in the UK, focusing on Poverty and Development. At the time, KOICA had a program that provided partial tuition support for people with experience, so I was fortunate enough to be able to continue my studies. Through the now defunct KOICA ODA Expert System, I worked as an agricultural and rural development expert at the KOICA office in DR Congo, focusing on enterprise development and management. As I had just finished my Master's degree, I was a bit confused because I didn't have much practical experience, but I was given many opportunities to apply what I had learned in graduate school in the field. I also planned and carried out an impact assessment of a large rural development project with a team of professors from the Department of Agricultural Economics at a local university. Based on my experience working mainly with the Rural Extension Department of the Paraguayan Ministry of Agriculture as a KOICA volunteer, I planned and received approval for a rural extension capacity-building project with the Ministry of Agriculture of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Subsequently, while working for an NGO in Ethiopia, I successfully completed the then new KOICA Multilateral Cooperation Officer (KMCO) program. I was then seconded to UNDP DR Congo, where I have been working ever since. * This program supports local talent who wish to work in international organizations. It offers them the opportunity to work for up to two years in the offices of international organizations in developing countries. The aim is to increase the effectiveness of cooperation between KOICA and international organizations and to strengthen networks. UNDP 현장사무소 전경 QWhat has been your most memorable experience working as the only Korean in an international organization stationed in DR Congo? When I was the only Korean working there, I struggled with my French, and my colleagues from other countries were not familiar with KOICA or Korea. However, Koreans tend to be more perceptive than people from other countries, and once they learn a task, they adapt quickly and become efficient. So from then on, I actively participated in discussions about the situation on the ground, the culture and the main agendas, and was able to make a positive contribution. Opening Ceremony of the 2nd Corona Diagnostic Center in DR Congo Now he can see how each stage he went through affected his career. But back then, he had to faithfully take the next step every day, challenging himself with a new program. For the first five years immediately after his posting to DR Congo, he was the only Korean expert there. Currently, there are two Koreans, including him, working as local experts. QHow does multilateral cooperation work in DR Congo? Having worked in Africa for over 10 years, I have come across various forms of multilateral cooperation within the country offices of UN agencies. In my experience, in fragile countries such as DR Congo in Africa, UN agencies have direct authority to implement projects, with the approval of the partner government, because of the financial risks involved. In some cases, government ministries carry out projects directly with their own funds. Funding mechanisms vary for each UN agency, but UNDP typically collects financial resources from each country in the form of grants and distributes them to country offices to implement projects based on strategic priorities. KOICA also provides substantial funding to these UN agencies. In particular, DR Congo, home to the Congo Basin rainforest, is attracting major aid agencies from around the world because of the importance of the 'climate crisis' on the international agenda and the country's status as a 'traditionally vulnerable country'. There is a significant degree of fatigue among local people with the process of major donor countries and organizations providing funding and technical support for implementation. The basis for building trust with local governments, stakeholders and residents is 'authenticity'. QLooking back over the past 10 years, which business or activity stands out as memorable? I am also curious about the development of the businesses and activities and the results they have achieved. I remember overseeing a project to build and operate the second coronavirus diagnostic centre in DR Congo during the coronavirus outbreak. It was also difficult to set up a business meeting with the government of DR Congo, as they seemed intimidated by the process of doing business with a large organization like UNDP. However, with the active support of the Korean government and KOICA, the establishment of the second COVID-19 diagnostic center was completed within 5 months. QIn a complex international order, what is the greatest challenge facing African countries, including DR Congo? Most African countries suffer from a severe lack of infrastructure, with road infrastructure being the most pressing problem. In the case of a landlocked country with no access to the sea or a limited coastline, logistics costs are 3 to 10 times higher than in other countries. High logistics costs hinder overall industrial growth and threaten the livelihoods of citizens. Although electricity, water, schools and hospitals are important, I believe road infrastructure is the first priority. In the case of DR Congo, the ongoing conflict with rebels in the eastern region and the unstable situation with neighboring countries are also major concerns. Container truck stuck on dirt road due to poor road conditions QGiven Africa's diverse cultural, economic and political backgrounds, what strategy is required for a successful project in DR Congo? It's not an easy question, but I would like to approach the definition of 'business success in DR Congo differently in order to give a more realistic answer. I believe we should shift our focus away from existing indicators and success criteria and instead place more emphasis on 'what can be achieved'. Specifically, I believe it is necessary to strengthen the capacity of all stakeholders, to establish medium to long-term sectoral governance within the overall governance of the country, and to develop medium to long-term regional development based on development priorities. In terms of project implementation, it seems best to pursue the project in a consortium format, taking into account francophone countries and regional expertise. I believe that a project implementation structure involving stakeholders such as local government and local NGOs, with international NGOs taking the lead, is a crucial factor in determining success or failure. There are still areas where cooperation needs to be sought, such as regional expertise, language and regional security, but I believe there are ample opportunities for Korean experts to contribute in terms of field expertise and project coordination skills. QDo you have any goals you would like to achieve in the future? I am interested in and want to help ensure that people who need a helping hand can benefit as much as possible from aid projects. Although I observe projects in which billions and trillions of financial resources are invested, the most worrying aspect of working here is determining the actual impact of the aid provided on the people who should benefit from it. That is why, in recent years, I have wanted to work as the head of a country office of an international organization. This is because as the head of a country office, you can play a more active role in delivering benefits and support to those who need it most. Director Park mentions that the term 'accompagnement' is often used in discussions with local governments. Sometimes this word is used as an expression to indirectly convey 'support from the international community'. However, having spent 10 years in Africa and 10 years in international organizations, he hopes that the meaning of 'accompagnement' will expand to include 'new partnerships'. He hopes to see a robust development cooperation ecosystem that goes beyond the mere investment of financial resources to deliver benefits to those who need it most. Finally, he didn't forget to give some advice to young people who want to become ODA experts. He urged them to start by gaining diverse experience and then focus on narrowing down their areas to develop expertise. He will also continue to make efforts to present alternatives in the field and develop the capacity to implement them.
2024.05.03
NEWS
Latest issues at a glance KOICA NEWS
Spring is in full swing outside the window. This month we have mainly prepared news focusing on KOICA events in Korea. KOICA has achieved remarkable results in various projects, including support projects for developing countries, through cooperation with various organizations. KOICA signed two business agreements this month as well. As these are carefully proceeded business agreements, we can expect good synergies, can't we? Another piece of good news is that this year KOICA has decided to send the largest number of young people ever to international organizations. Detailed information was presented at an information session on 30 April. Is this the result of such diverse efforts? We are pleased to finally announce that KOICA has received the highest 'Best' rating out of 134 public institutions!📰 NEWS 1. Signing of an MOU to support the overseas expansion of small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups Signing ceremony of a Tripartite MOU by KOICA, Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development, and Korea Technology Finance Corporation On April 1, KOICA signed an MOU with the KISED(Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development) and KOTEC(Korea Technology Finance Corporation) to establish an interconnection system between small and medium-sized and venture business support programs. The essence of the MOU is that each organization will work together to support projects that will help Korean small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups advance overseas and achieve the sustainable development goals of developing countries.According to the MOU, the three organizations plan to achieve the following objectives: Identifying linkage projects between the Ministry of SMEs and Startups' private investment-led Tech Incubator Program for Start-up (TIPS), which leads the activation of start-ups by high-level technical personnel, and KOICA's Development Innovation Program(DIP), which collaborates with partners with expertise in various fields; Upgrading and revitalizing KOICA's Creative Technology Solution (CTS), which supports budding entrepreneurs and start-ups that solve problems in developing countries; Public relations and other collaborations.At the signing ceremony, CHANG, Won Sam, President of KOICA, said, I hope that through this agreement, capable small and medium-sized enterprises and venture companies will show great interest and actively participate in solving problems in developing countries. 📰 NEWS 2. Joining hands with Korea Energy Agency to address climate change in developing countriesKOICA-Korea Energy Agency MOU commemorative photo KOICA joins hands with the Korea Energy Agency to actively respond to climate change in developing countries. On 9 April, KOICA signed an MOU with the Korea Energy Agency to respond to climate change and to establish an organic business cooperation system for ODA projects in the field of new and renewable energy.The main contents of the MOU include cooperation on ODA projects to reduce greenhouse gases and expand the supply of new and renewable energy in developing countries, organic links between the two organizations' projects to support the overseas expansion of companies, and the exchange of information and personnel in specialized fields between the two organizations. The two organizations decided to support developing countries' new and renewable energy projects and policy establishment, greenhouse gas inspection and certification, and contribute to achieving the international community's sustainable development goals, improving energy accessibility in developing countries, and alleviating energy poverty. KOICA has made special efforts in climate change response projects by establishing the Climate Change Response Mid-Term Strategy (2021-2025) and expanding the identification of green ODA projects to respond to climate change in developing countries.📰 NEWS 3. Best rating in the Ministry of SMEs and Startups' evaluation for shared growthKOICA received the highest rating of 'Best' in the '2023 Public Institution Shared Growth Evaluation' organised by the Ministry of SMEs and Start-ups. KOICA achieved excellent results in most areas, including the establishment and implementation of a shared growth strategy, the promotion and dissemination of fair trade culture, and the development of a creative and leading shared growth ecosystem, scoring a total of 99.08 points, a good rating among 134 public institutions. It was also highly praised for its contribution of funds that are difficult to achieve due to the nature of a public institution, such as the establishment of a stable win-win cooperation fund of 790 million won for a total of 5 years in 2023 in cooperation with Shinhan Bank.The Ministry of SMEs and Start-ups has been announcing the results of the shared growth assessment since 2007 to promote the leading role and efforts of public institutions in the field of shared growth and win-win cooperation in accordance with the 'Act on the Promotion of Collaborative Cooperation between Large Enterprises and Small-Medium Enterprises.'📰 NEWS 4. Information session on the International Organisations Entry Program on 30 AprilPoster for the 2024 International Organisations Entry Program Information SessionKOICA, which is selecting the largest ever group of KOICA Multilateral Cooperation Officer (KMCO) and KOICA-UNV* student volunteers, will hold an information session on 30 April at HEYGROUND in Seongsu-dong, Seoul. In 2024, the number of KMCOs and KOICA-UNV student volunteers is expected to reach 80, with 51 and 29 respectively. This is the highest ever and more than double the number of the previous year.The KMCO program enables professionals from various fields with a passion for international development cooperation to work in international organizations that have signed an agreement with KOICA. The KOICA-UNV University Student Volunteer Corps is an internship program that offers opportunities for hands-on experience in the field of development cooperation at UN-affiliated organizations.This briefing session will be held in parts 1 and 2 under the theme "Be Global with KOICA". Part 1, "KOICA Career Ladder to International Organizations Session", provides guidance on the career ladder system that helps young people enter international organizations, the eligibility requirements for each program, recruitment areas, selection procedures and plans, etc.Attendance is only open to those who have pre-registered by the 25th using the QR code on the information session poster. For young people who cannot attend the event on the day, there will also be a live, real-time broadcast on the World Friends Korea YouTube channel (youtube.com/@WFKvideo).
2024.05.03
Topics
'No one should be left out in conflict zones... Korea is the best partner in development cooperation'
"Korea plays a crucial role as a 'superpower' and a global leader in development cooperation. Many developing countries are currently facing crises, but I believe that one day these countries will develop similarly to Korea". Natalia Kanem, Executive Director of UNFPA, visited the headquarters of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) located in Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, on March 6. UNFPA is the UN's representative sexual and reproductive health agency that carries out the mission of delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA has been collaborating with Korea since 1974 and has supported Korea's population policy, population planning, family planning, and census efforts. On this day, KOICA and UNFPA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to prevent sexual violence and support survivors of sexual violence in conflict-prone areas such as Africa and the Middle East over the next three years. Executive Director Kanem said, "Over the next three years, KOICA and UNFPA will implement humanitarian projects valued at USD 32.7 million (approximately KRW 42.5 billion) to prevent sexual violence and support the sexual and reproductive health of women and girls in conflict-prone areas such as Africa and the Middle East." She added, "Through this project, approximately 700,000 people are expected to receive support in six countries, including the Central African Republic, Mali, Somalia, South Sudan, Palestine and Lebanon." The following is a Q&A with her. Q How many times have you visited Korea? This is my third visit. In 2017, upon assuming the position of Executive Director, I visited Korea for the first time to attend the MOHW-KIHASA-OECD-UNFPA Joint Conference on Low Fertility, Challenges and Responses in the Era of Ageing Population and the Global Symposium on Population Ageing and Low Fertility in Seoul. Then, in 2019, I attended the opening ceremony of the UNFPA office in Seoul. Q "How do you perceive Korea today?" As the Executive Director of UNFPA, I cannot help but mention Korea's demographic changes. As Korea adopted Western medicine and health systems in the early 20th century, the death rate plummeted and average life expectancy soared. The birth rate is most notable. As of 2022, Korea had the lowest birth rate in the world at 0.78. This is a number that exacerbates the demographic problem. However, I believe that Korea will overcome the current demographic crisis because it has a history of overcoming various internal and external crises, and the resilience derived from that. Q Could you please explain the project between KOICA and UNFPA? KOICA and UNFPA have decided to further strengthen their cooperation in the areas of Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), Maternal Health, and Gender-Based Violence (GBV), which has been ongoing since 2007. The goal of the Conflict-affected and Fragile Countries Supporting Programme is to expand sexual and reproductive health services by providing diagnosis and treatment for sexual diseases, including AIDS, and contraceptive education Additionally, the program aims to enhance accessibility to gender-based violence prevention and response services, with the overarching objective of saving the lives of pregnant women and newborns and preserving the dignity of women and girls in humanitarian settings. Q Which countries are set to receive support? Six countries, including Central African Republic, Mali, Somalia, South Sudan, Palestine, and Lebanon, are recipients. A total of 653,627 people in four countries in the African region will benefit from sexual and reproductive health services provided through 344 health facilities. In the Middle East, more than 42,000 people are expected to benefit through 14 health facilities. Q Please tell us about the results that KOICA and UNFPA have achieved so far through their cooperation projects. A representative example is the project on the treatment of obstetric fistula in C te d'Ivoire. Women who have undergone circumcision often suffer from "obstetric fistula," a condition where a hole (fistula) forms in the bladder or intestines during difficult childbirth, causing urine and feces to leak into the vagina. Since UNFPA initiated the fistula treatment project with KOICA in 2007, they have participated in a total of 27 different projects (as of 2024). KOICA and UNFPA are currently continuing 20 projects with a total value of $116 million. In addition, they plan to continue projects worth $32.7 million through a new program to support conflict-prone countries. Q Carrying out multilateral cooperation projects in conflict areas seems challenging. What I have learned over the past 35 years is that we need to listen to local residents. In that respect, KOICA's great strength lies in its approach, which doesn't rely solely on one-off interventions or paper plans. Instead, it demonstrates a direct interest in people's problems and intervenes directly when necessary. When working in poor or developing countries, it is essential to respect the opinions of local people, to consider their needs from their perspective and to ask questions. For this reason, a very serious and sincere attitude is necessary, and I believe that KOICA is fully aware of this aspect and is acting accordingly. Q Korea is experiencing an unprecedented low birth rate compared to the rest of the world. The continuing decline in the birth rate is a common phenomenon not only in Asia but also in other regions. Recently, there was a media article highlighting the decline in Chile's fertility rate. Only by reducing personal burdens can we hope to increase the birth rate. When we examine the factors that contribute to the burden of pregnancy and childbirth, the economic costs and the emotional exhaustion of striving to be good parents play significant roles. It's crucial that we comprehend these factors. In particular, women should be empowered to make decisions that are best for them and their families, as their childbearing years often coincide with their periods of economic activity. Q What do you think is needed to address the problem of low fertility? Women need to have a balanced work-life schedule, and men should also have access to paternity leave and weekends to spend time with their children. Marriage often involves taking on a kind of "second job" called housework, and it's crucial that the division of labor between women and men be equitable. Q Are there any specific methods we can try? UNFPA has worked with private companies on projects to address low birth rates. We set up a nursing room in the workplace and implemented a system that allowed women to leave their seats for regular check-ups during pregnancy without worrying about what their colleagues might think. The results showed improvements in company productivity and a positive impact on talent attraction. For more details, see UNFPA's The Coalition for Reproductive Justice in Business. (LINK: https://vo.la/YApuJ) Q Lastly, what do you think is the most important value in international development cooperation projects? Of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN, I think the most important one is 'peace'. The 'ICPD Programme of Action', adopted at the first International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo, Egypt in 1994, avoided setting numerical population targets and instead reached a new agreement that recognized the right of all couples and individuals to make free and responsible decisions about the number of children and when to have them. UNFPA's message is "leave no one behind," including pregnant women and children. We actively support women's ability to determine their own future, including their fertility and empowerment.
2024.04.08
Women's laughter blossoms in drought-stricken country
It was the worst drought in 40 years. Across East Africa, including Kenya, Ethiopia and Tanzania, there was no adequate rainfall even during the rainy season due to climate change. The drought, which began with the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, has lasted four years. In an area plagued by chronic food shortages, even crops and pasture for livestock have dried up. According to the World Food Program (WFP), more than 23 million people are facing extreme food insecurity as a result of the drought. The hardships of life have become more severe. Kenya is an arid region where 89% of the country receives less than 850 mm of rainfall per year. Due to this drought, 27% of the region's population (4.4 million people) faced a severe food crisis and 5% of the livestock (2.61 million animals) died.Ceremony to donate beekeeping kits to improve the economic capacity of Kenyan womenKOICA has been promoting a project to strengthen the economic capacity of rural women in Kenya since 2020 when the drought began. This project focuses on supporting women who are vulnerable to climate change. In partnership with the Government of Kenya, UN Women, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and World Vision, KOICA has been working to build the capacity of women farmers in four provinces, including West Pokot, Laikipia, Kitui and Isiolo. KOICA helped women to secure food and generate income by providing agricultural and livestock techniques adapted to the changing climate. In addition, KOICA conducted leadership development training and self-help organization support programs to empower women to become the main agents of change. This project, which involved an investment of approximately 9 billion won, transformed the lives of 2,964 African women."The granary is full for the first time in a long time... I've been a happy farmer this year"Avia Munyao・46Abia Munyao, a resident of Kitui County, is a mother of three. She used to support her family by growing maize and using the proceeds to pay her children's school fees, but her income was often unstable. The challenges worsened in 2020 when the pandemic and drought coincided, making it even harder to sustain a livelihood. However, her circumstances took a positive turn when she enrolled in the KOICA program in 2021. Through the program, she attended classes that provided her with knowledge on farming techniques and goat husbandry adapted to the changing climatic conditions.She planted a new crop, sorghum, known for its drought resistance. Sorghum thrived even under conditions of limited water availability. Last year, a total of 20 kilograms of sorghum was harvested. Of this, 1.3 kilograms was sold to other farmers as seed, while the rest is being stored for sale to a brewery. She also harvested 90 kilograms of mung beans, making a profit of $5,850 (about 7.75 million won). Abia also reintroduced corn farming. This time, she used the "Zaipit" farming technology she learned from the KOICA program. This innovative method maximizes water use efficiency in arid areas by digging holes deeper than traditional farming methods. "I have been a very happy farmer this season. I've never seen so much maize growing. I will harvest 4 bags and sell them when the price goes up accordingly".She recently used her profits to buy more land and 10 more goats. Until three years ago she only had four, but now she has a total of 35. As she learned from the KOICA program, she checks the goats daily to see if they are sick and vaccinates them. The goats give milk every day. She milks 8 liters of milk every morning, drinks 2 liters with her family, and sells the remaining 6 liters. Last summer, she earned about 867,000 won by selling eight well-grown goats at the market. "Goats are like a gift from God. They don't require much initial capital and the returns are high. They are a great economic support for women in rural areas."With the money she earns, she manages the household and pays school fees for her three children. As she gained confidence in herself, her opportunities expanded. She now holds several positions, including head of a village self-help organization and head of the local church council. "The drought in Kitui County was severe, but after overcoming it, my life has improved immeasurably. It's all thanks to learning something new.""I want to train more young leaders."Julia Nyambura Wachira・30Julia Nyambura Wachira, a resident of Laikipia County, took over the leadership of a self-help organization for Kapron residents at the age of 29. She had previously received general training from KOICA on leadership, finance, marketing, and farm and land management. The residents decided to appoint a young leader in the hope of fostering a village environment where new opportunities and technologies could be effectively embraced and utilized. As a result, she was ultimately selected as the leader because of her unparalleled passion and active participation in KOICA training. The self-help organization has a total of 17 members who meet regularly to discuss and share information on poultry farming, potato seed production, medicinal herb cultivation, and credit services.After assuming the leadership of the self-help organization, she took the initiative to communicate directly with the local government, sharing the stories and concerns of the residents. Last year, she was elected as the youth representative to the Laikipia North Constituency Development Fund Committee and as the youth leader for Mukogodo East District in the Kenya Youth Union. She now voices the concerns of local residents and youth on a variety of issues, including water shortages caused by drought, community conflict issues, and funding challenges.Wachira plans to establish more seed potato shops in the village and implement a system to increase seed potato production. She also wants to develop more active young leaders like herself."I am very grateful to have participated in a training that gave me insights into new areas such as leadership, agriculture, and finance. In the future, as a young leader, I will strive to encourage more young people to participate in the policy-making process. I hope that more colleagues will take responsibility and actively participate in regional development.""I will give my children a college education and build a new house."Selina Roron・50Selina Loron raises four sons and six daughters in West Pokot. Loron is busy all day. She takes care of 15 chickens, 2 cows and 2 calves, while also farming 20,000 square meters of land. She provides five liters of milk to a nearby school every day. In addition, she serves on the management committee of a local church and school, and is the treasurer of a secondary school.She was an ordinary farmer and housewife when she and 29 colleagues began training with KOICA in 2022. During this time, she learned accounting and now manages her household finances in a well-planned manner. She pays her children's school fees with the profits she earns from farming and selling milk, and saves the rest. Last year, with the money she saved, she increased the area of land under cultivation to about 40,000 square meters and expanded the scale of farming by buying fertilizer and seeds."I will continue to expand my business in the future. My goal is to give my children a college education and build a new home for my family."Her husband is a strong supporter. Women who participate in the KOICA program often face conflict with their husbands at first. This is because Kenya's patriarchal culture leads husbands to oppose their wives' involvement in activities outside the home. She joined the program with her husband and received training to raise awareness of gender equality. As a result, her husband now takes care of the children and helps with household chores when she has outside commitments."There is still a stereotype that housework is only a woman's role, but it is something that men can also contribute to. I firmly believe that by nurturing the next generation with positive changes in gender roles, we can foster long-term cultural shifts that will significantly improve women's lives."Kenyan couple showing produce harvested using climate-smart farming methodsThe project will conclude this year. During the remainder of the project, KOICA will work with the county government to establish a system to ensure that the impact continues after the project ends. Mr. Lim Jang-hee, Country Director of the KOICA Office in Kenya, said, "KOICA plans to increase the number of beneficiaries from the current 3,000 to 10,000 by identifying follow-up projects and securing government funding. He added, "KOICA will strive to promote sustainable change in the final phase of the project".
2024.04.08
Latest issues at a glance KOICA NEWS
In March, amidst the fragrant blossoms of spring, KOICA received a series of heartwarming news. President Chang Won-sam embarked on visits to Vietnam and Cambodia, where he discussed ODA cooperation plans and commemorated the opening of Cambodia's National Incubation Center (NICC). Meanwhile, in faraway Ethiopia, a KOICA-supported startup incubation center is up and running, ready to nurture the next generation of innovators. Join us as we delve into a variety of stories, including updates from the Development Cooperation Participation Strategy Briefing Session, highlights from the signing ceremony of the Emergency Disaster Response Project Agreement involving five NGOs, and updates on KOICA's recruitment of new members. 📰 NEWS 1. Discussion on KOICA-Vietnam ODA Cooperation Plans Korea-Vietnam Institute of Science and Technology visited by KOICA President Chang Won-sam KOICA President Chang Won-sam discussed with high-ranking officials of the Vietnamese government on cooperation in the field of Official Development Assistance (ODA). During an official visit to Vietnam from March 17-19 (local time), President Chang met with key government officials such as Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and Technology to discuss in detail a new ODA program. This program aims to act as an important catalyst for Vietnam's future national development, with a focus on nurturing the industrial workforce, promoting R&D cooperation, and fostering innovative rural communities. Of particular note is the "KOICA Developing Countries Industrial Human Resources Training Program" (tentatively named), which serves as a new "signature program" designed by KOICA to effectively implement the government's Indo-Pacific Strategy and the Korea-ASEAN Solidarity Initiative. This initiative is expected to expand its scope to various developing countries, including Vietnam and Cambodia. 📰 NEWS 2. KOICA supports the dreams of Cambodian entrepreneurs President Chang Won-sam takes a souvenir photo with students at the opening ceremony of NICC KOICA President Chang Won-sam attended the opening ceremony of the National Incubation Center of Cambodia (NICC) on March 14 (local time). NICC is a newly established business incubation center as part of the KOICA project "Establishment of IT based Job Incubation Center in Cambodia". KOICA plans to cultivate talented young entrepreneurs through close industry-academia linkages centered on NICC, and build a "virtuous cycle" structure so that these entrepreneurs can drive national development. KOICA will systematically support the provision of business space, initial investment (seed money), management and digital technology guidance, as well as facilitate Korean-Cambodian university start-up exchanges, so that Cambodian youth can start their businesses in a stable manner. In his congratulatory remarks, President Chang said, NICC is an 'incubator' that will help Cambodia's future generations realize their dreams, and KOICA will continue to support these young people on their journey to make their dreams come true and drive Cambodia's economic and social development. 📰 NEWS 3. KOICA and NGOs strengthen cooperation in Emergency Disaster Response Agreement Signing Ceremony for Emergency Disaster Response Project between KOICA and five NGOs KOICA has strengthened its ability to cooperate more seamlessly with domestic NGOs in global emergency situations. Since 2022, KOICA has been implementing Emergency Disaster Response Projects through public-private cooperation with domestic NGOs to ensure prompt and flexible responses to disasters occurring around the world.On March 20, KOICA and five domestic NGOs (World Vision, Save the Children Korea, Friends of Hope Korea, Food for the Hungry International, Good Neighbors International, and ChildFund Korea) held a signing ceremony. They decided to introduce a new method in which KOICA forms a consortium with NGOs to jointly plan projects and share financial resources in the event of an emergency disaster starting this year. Previously, KOICA had only participated by providing project budget support when an emergency disaster occurred. At the signing ceremony on this day, Son Jeong-mi, Director of the Office of Global Solidarity and Partnerships at KOICA, said, "The public-private consortium type of cooperation, which will be introduced for the first time this year, is expected to become a milestone for public-private cooperation projects that require humanitarian support in the future". 📰 NEWS 4. Development Cooperation Participation Strategy Briefing Session Scene of the 2024 Development Cooperation Participation Strategy Briefing Session KOICA successfully concluded the "2024 Development Cooperation Participation Strategy Briefing Session" on March 12. This session, now in its eighth year, serves as a platform to consolidate valuable information on ODA participation and provides guidance to potential partners seeking to engage in overseas markets. It provides insights into ODA project participation methods and strategies, as well as one-on-one consultations. Under the theme "Expanding our companies' entry into the global ODA market" the briefing session, attended by about 300 people, received a positive response, sharing specific information on entering the ODA market, including guidance on procurement participation procedures and corporate cooperation projects, with a focus on the 450 billion won procurement plan for 2024. KOICA expects that this briefing will boost the interest and participation of Korean companies in both domestic and overseas ODA projects. 📰 NEWS 5. 'Innobiz-K' launched to spearhead technological innovation in Ethiopia Scene of the KOICA-Ethiopia Innobiz-K opening ceremony The "Innobiz-K" business incubation center, aimed at spearheading Ethiopia's future technological innovation, opened its doors on March 22 (local time). Supported by the Korean government and KOICA, Innobiz-K serves as a business incubation center that provides comprehensive support to Ethiopian startups and small and medium-sized enterprises. It provides services such as prototype production, startup education, and funding for exceptional companies. Since 2020, KOICA has been implementing a business development project focused on technological innovation, in line with the Ethiopian government's goal of transitioning to a low- to middle-income country by 2025. The construction of the Innobiz-K Center was part of this project. KOICA Director Kim Dong-ho, who attended the opening ceremony, said, "Innobiz-K symbolizes KOICA's commitment to the economic development of Ethiopia, a long-standing ally of Korea. KOICA will continue its efforts to stimulate Ethiopia's economy by supporting the younger generation to enter the manufacturing and innovation sectors". 📰 NEWS 6. Recruitment of new members in KOICA Panoramic view of the KOICA Headquarters KOICA has announced the recruitment of new staff for the first half of 2024, with the aim of attracting individuals who will contribute to the shared prosperity of humanity through international development cooperation. The recruitment drive resulted in the hiring of 39 new staff members, a significant increase in the number of new general staff members compared to the previous year, more than doubling the figure. In addition, the number of socially equitable hires tripled. The areas and numbers of new hires were as follows : General Administration - 33 new employees, and General Administration Socially Equitable - 6 new employees. In order to provide inclusive employment opportunities for diverse demographics, 15 of the 33 new General (Level 5) employees were selected from non-metropolitan areas. In addition, three employees were selected to reward patriotism (Level 5) and three were selected for high school graduates (Level 6) as part of the General Administration Socially Equitable Recruitment. Recruitment applications were accepted online via the KOICA recruitment website from March 20 to April 4.
2024.04.08
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