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

Cultural Ambassador For A Better World

IVECA will be hosting its 4th annual Global Virtual Summer Camp this summer, from July 31 through August 6, 2023. The theme for this year’s camp emphasizes cultivating young cultural ambassadors for a peaceful and sustainable world. During the Summer Camp, students will explore United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and Public Diplomacy to discover how different nations can utilize diverse formats to work towards achieving UN SDGs.

The course will be led by His Excellency Dr. Hesham Elnakib (Ambassador Extraordinary of Egypt). Students from South Korea will join with international partners from Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the United States. Partners will participate in a blend of engaging lectures through Zoom and project-based collaborative learning. The final projects will be presented to an international audience during the Global Virtual Roundtable.

#IVECA #GlobalVirtualRoundtable #UNSDGs #VirtualExchange #CulturalAmbassadors #InterculturalCompetence #GlobalCitizenship #PublicDiplomacy

Uniting Teachers and Students Across Borders for an Intercultural Learning Experience

Teachers from India, Korea, China, and Costa Rica recently came together virtually in preparation for their eagerly awaited Live Classes organized by IVECA. These dedicated educators understand the significance of these sessions, as they provide students with the unique opportunity to meet their overseas peers "face to face" after three months of asynchronous interaction through the IVECA Virtual Classroom.

Toward the end of every semester, the IVECA Team organizes Test Sessions, where teachers have the opportunity to meet prior to their Live Classes and build confidence in their roles as Live Class moderators. During these sessions, educators engage in cross-cultural discussions, sharing insights on their students' progress and exchanging best practices for a successful Live Class for all of our international students.

This term, Costa Rican students and their teacher joined IVECA for the first time, making strides in their global citizenship journey. Meanwhile, participating schools from Korea, China and India return to the global classroom once again, continuing their growth into creative, insightful and proactive global citizens. Teachers and students are working tirelessly to prepare their presentations to their partner countries, with topics ranging from AI as a tool to solve inequalities, to the water problems faced in each country. Students are also preparing their cultural performances, including traditional music and dance performances, taekwondo and traditional Chinese writing.

In order to ensure the success of the upcoming Live Classes, teachers, along with the IVECA team, meticulously go through each step of the preparation process–from the coordination of international schedules, to thoughtful collaboration and encouraging the enthusiasm of their students. Together we strive to provide students with a seamless, culturally enriching virtual learning experience.

As the Live Class celebrations draw near, the anticipation continues to build among teachers and students alike. The virtual interactions facilitated by IVECA have not only fostered educational growth but have also nurtured lasting friendships across borders. Through these Live Classes, students will have the opportunity to showcase their hard work, engage in meaningful discussions, and immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of cultures represented by their global counterparts.

In the coming weeks, as the Live Classes unfold, students will embark on an unforgettable journey of discovery, forging connections that transcend geographical boundaries. With the guidance and support of their passionate teachers, the participants of IVECA are poised to make lasting memories and develop a global mindset that will serve them well into the future.

#IVECA #InterculturaCompetence #GlobalCitizenship #TeachersAcrossBorders #VirtualExchange