Young Voices connecting Continents Through Global Goals

When students from Daejeon Seoil High School in Korea and the Euroamerican School in Mexico finally met on screen, the atmosphere instantly shifted from routine to remarkable. Following weeks of preparation, both sides greeted each other with genuine excitement—ready to learn, share, and explore how global collaboration between students from two countries contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This IVECA Live Class became a moment where two classrooms, thousands of kilometers apart, connected through curiosity and purpose to discuss SDG-related issues in their countries and the solutions young people believe in.

Many teams brought to life powerful examples of real-world impact. Mexican students introduced Caminos de Agua by first painting a picture of families navigating daily life with unsafe water and the relief brought by simple, community-based filtration systems. One student captured the heart of the issue with the reflection: “Life starts with clean water,” a reminder that without it, even the most ordinary moments–cooking, studying, and washing–become fragile. Their Korean partners later reflected on how having easy access to water shapes their school life, meals, and hygiene, and how deeply its value is felt when that access is uncertain. They also shared how Korea continues to strengthen its own water-management strategies through technological innovation and city-wide conservation efforts, demonstrating that both countries, though facing different realities, are working toward the same global goal.

The presentations continued with an inspiring look into Luces de Esperanza, a community initiative in Mexico that installs solar panels in schools, homes, and public spaces to expand access to clean energy, where students described the joy of seeing solar-powered lights switch on in places long accustomed to darkness. As one student beautifully expressed, “Clean energy gives people light to study, hope to grow, and power to dream,” a sentiment that flowed across the screen and reminded everyone that sustainability doesn’t just solve problems, it nurtures futures. This naturally led to the SDG 7 discussion on Affordable and Clean Energy. Korean students also connected this theme to their country’s push for renewable energy and smart technology, particularly in cities like Daejeon, where innovation drives cleaner, more efficient energy systems, a point that highlighted how different nations contribute uniquely to the same shared mission.

Through the presentations on community development. Mexican students discussed how companies like CEMEX contribute to improving roads, sidewalks, and public spaces. Instead of focusing only on infrastructure, they emphasized how safer, greener streets encourage people to gather, walk, and interact, strengthening community bonds. One presenter summarized this idea, saying, “Building smart streets and green spaces is building trust and community.” This opened the door for Korean students to share how their own city infrastructure, such as Daejeon’s smart-city initiatives and sustainable transport systems, aims to create similarly inclusive and resilient urban environments.

A youth-led initiative, Un Río en el Río, added a completely different dimension to the discussion. Students described how volunteers clean the Santa Catarina River, plant trees, and educate neighbors about protecting natural areas, actions that turn concrete jungles into livable, caring spaces. These efforts left both Mexican and Korean students with a shared belief that innovation and care for the environment work best when communities participate together.

The Live Class concluded, leaving students inspired, connected, and more aware of their power to create positive change. Two schools from opposite sides of the world demonstrated that learning grows stronger when it is shared. In heartfelt farewell letters filled with gratitude and hope, Mexican students expressed, “You welcomed our ideas with kindness. This project helped us understand each other’s worlds.” Korean students responded, “I feel we became closer, and I now understand you much more deeply. I believe this experience will help all of us grow both as students and as future global citizens.” These messages captured the spirit of the global exchange—genuine intercultural learning rooted in respect, curiosity, and connection—and conveyed hope for how these students will become global citizens. 

#GCED #GlobalCitizenship #IVECA #SDGs #Sustainability #YouthLeadership #InterculturalExchange #EducationWithoutBorders

Waving Across Continents: U.S. and Colombian Elementary Students' Journey with Water

On November 18, IVECA classrooms in West Covina and Montería buzzed with excitement as children waved eagerly to their partners across the globe. After months of virtual exchange between the United States and Colombia and exploring how water moves through our planet, the long-awaited Live Class finally arrived. What began as simple science lessons blossomed into a shared intercultural adventure between young learners. They were just as fascinated by water's journey as they were by discovering one another’s daily lives, cultures, and perspectives. Their project, “The Journey of Water,” became the heart of their connection and a gateway to new global friendships.

Throughout the semester, the students explored the hydrologic cycle through scientific experiments and observations while communicating in their partner country's language. U.S. elementary students explained the changing states of water in relation to real-world challenges such as unequal access to clean water. They reflected, “Many communities still struggle to ensure accessible drinking water for everyone,” highlighting their growing understanding of global issues. Colombian students studied the same processes through examples from their daily activities--using freezers, observing rivers, and watching clouds over Montería--making the science relevant to their personal lives.

One of the most memorable activities was creating water-character stories. Students transformed science into playful adventures featuring droplets, ice cubes, and water vapour travelling through the water cycle. Colombian students introduced characters like Pepe the Ice Cube, who melted, evaporated, became contaminated, and later was cleaned by a kind scientist, Isaac the Droplet, who rose into a polluted cloud before returning to a clear spring. Bubbly the Water Vapour floated joyfully through the sky until encountering pollution from factories. U.S. students shared stories inspired by places like Santa Monica beach, describing how a droplet rose from ocean waves into the clouds on a hot summer day. 

These stories showed how students began to empathize with water as they imagined water’s experiences and the impact of human pollution, naturally leading them to discuss environmental responsibility. U.S. students commented, “We are the guardians of the planet… every individual action contributes to ensuring that clean, vital water flows freely.” Colombian students echoed this message, urging their peers to “keep the Earth clean: throw trash in the bin, recycle, and don’t pollute.” Through their stories and discussions, children understood how human actions affect water’s movement and quality, and they recognized their own role in protecting the environment.

The principals from both schools closed the Live Class, noting the value of the experience. The U.S. principal emphasized how meaningful it was to see students engage with global themes like water protection and environmental stewardship. He praised their growing awareness of global responsibilities and warmly welcomed Colombian students to visit California in the future. The Colombian principal expressed gratitude for the enriching opportunity, saying that the exchange helped students broaden their worldview, strengthen their communication skills, and experience collaboration beyond borders. 

This collaboration between the two elementary schools showed how science, creativity, and intercultural dialogue can transform learning. Students strengthened academic skills, deepened their environmental awareness, practiced bilingual communication, and built friendships across continents. Their final messages said it all: this was not a goodbye, but a “see you soon.”

#IVECA #GlobalLearning #BilingualEducation #InterculturalExchange #ElementaryStudents #CulturalExchange #GlobalCitizens #EducationWithoutBorders #StudentCreativity

Sustainable Journey for the Natural World in Korea and Singapore

On November 6th, IVECA students from Korea and Singapore celebrated the end of the semester with a Live Class aimed at fostering cross-cultural exchange under the theme “Exploring Our Natural World.” The students examined how human activity shapes these environments, identified the related environmental challenges, reflected on the responsibility they hold, and proposed practical solutions for a more sustainable future. Beyond recognising the environmental issues, students thoughtfully considered their roles as global citizens with scientific analysis and multicultural communication to build an environmentally sustainable world.

Each Korean group presented distinctive Korean natural and cultural attractions, such as Ulsan Rock, Jeju Island, and the Han River and examined environmental issues associated with them. One group focused on water pollution in the Han River, a river in a central region of Korea, and highlighted the ongoing conservation efforts to maintain its high water quality. In addition to linking these issues with environmental initiatives, students emphasised the importance of individual action and collective responsibility. Another group shared, “As individuals, we can minimise our footprint, and through education, society should prioritise conserving the ecosystem and cultural legacy to ensure ecological protection.” By connecting their findings to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals on clean water, life on land and sustainable cities, the Korean students explored how ecotourism in Korea can evolve more sustainably.

Meanwhile, students from Singapore highlighted the geographical features and cultural values of tourist attractions such as Bukit Timah Hill, Kampong Glam, and Pulau Ubin. The groups explained how natural resources in these areas are utilised and protected. One group noted, “Pulau Ubin is a popular spot for nature-based recreation such as bird and butterfly watching, so additional support is directed toward environmental protection there. Bukit Timah, with its valuable biodiversity and importance for scientific research on forest dynamics, is managed with significant efforts to preserve its ecosystem.” The Singaporean students also designed imaginative day-trip plans using real routes and transportation networks to access the tourism sites, expanding their environmental research to the broader cultural context of ecotourism, reflecting the historical Malay heritage of Kampong Glam and the traditional village lifestyle preserved on Pulau Ubin.

During the discussion, students from both countries expressed appreciation for how they explored ecotourism, learned about local and global traditions, and reflected on their duty to protect together the world’s environments and diverse cultures. As the Korean principal remarked, “It is truly a source of pride to see them growing through the process of collaborating with friends from different places to find solutions.”

This exchange closed the semester not with final answers, but with a clearer awareness of how interconnected our environments and our choices are. Through careful observation and genuine curiosity about how others live, students from Korea and Singapore will continue to grow as global citizens caring for their communities with a sense of responsibility for the shared world they are part of.

#GCED #GlobalCitizenship #IVECA #LiveClass #ScienceandPeace #SDGs #Sustainability #Nature #Korea #Singapore