Honoring Teachers on World Teachers’ Day: Catalysts of Global Citizens

Teachers inspire minds and open doors to new opportunities, and each year on October 5, the world pauses to celebrate their impact. This year’s theme, “Recasting teaching as a collaborative profession,” invites us to reflect not only on teachers’ individual contributions but also on how collective practice strengthens education everywhere. At IVECA, this vision resonates deeply, as collaboration across cultures and classrooms is at the heart of our mission.

We see teachers as more than facilitators of knowledge. They are guides who help students cross cultural boundaries, reflect on their own perspectives, and build respect for others. In virtual exchanges and classroom projects, it is teachers who make dialogue meaningful, encouraging students to ask not only what they are learning, but why it matters for the way they live with others.

To thrive, teachers need time to reflect, chances to learn new methods, and opportunities to connect with peers. UNESCO calls on governments, international partners, and communities to make sure teaching isn’t done in isolation, but alongside meaningful collaboration. In line with that call, IVECA provides ongoing professional development to help teachers explore intercultural learning, inclusive practices, and conflict-sensitive teaching. This approach enables them to address delicate and challenging issues respectfully, create trusting spaces for dialogue, and guide students in navigating differences constructively.

By fostering peer networks across regions, we ensure that educators can learn from each other, share challenges, and grow together. Our teachers share ideas across borders, adapt strategies to their classrooms, and support one another’s growth. When one teacher experiments with a new approach or helps a colleague develop, the impact reaches far beyond a single classroom, enriching the learning experiences of students everywhere. 

On this World Teachers’ Day, we express our deepest gratitude to all educators who dedicate themselves to opening minds, nurturing respect, and cultivating global perspectives. With IVECA’s commitment, we honor you not just today, but in every virtual discussion, classroom exchange, and student reflection.

#IVECA #InternationalVirtualSchooling #InterculturalCompetence #Teachers #WorldTeachersDay #GlobalCitizenship #GCED

Travel and Intercultural Learning: Nurturing Future Global Citizens

Travel is far more than the act of packing bags, making plans, and crossing borders to see new sights. Travel is also a powerful experience that connects people and broadens perspectives, deepening our understanding and appreciation of the world. This past week, students from Ghaziabad, India, visited their partners in Daegu, South Korea, experiencing the transformative value of travel–its ability to open hearts and minds.

After months of interacting virtually, the students were able to meet face-to-face, experiencing first-hand the friendships, cultural insights, and mutual respect that had developed during their virtual exchange through the IVECA program. Foundations for the successful visit were laid through their exploration and exchange of cultural values, innovative ideas, and thoughtful reflections throughout their semester online. Their week-long visit brings IVECA’s mission to life on a new scale, showing how intercultural learning prepares young people for meaningful encounters in today’s interconnected world.

During their week-long trip, concluding on World Tourism Day on September 27th, Indian students were guided by their Korean partners as they learned about their host country. Supported by the Daegu City Suseong District Office, the exciting visit was filled with both Korean traditional cultural experiences, including a tea ceremony and hanbok experiences, and day trips to historic locations. Students explored the city of Gyeongju, a UNESCO World Heritage site, Yangnyeong City Oriental Medicine Museum, as well as a medi-spa for skin and beauty treatments for which Korea is known worldwide. Indian students also shared their culture with their friends, enjoying nightly indulgences in Indian cuisine and dynamic performances of traditional Indian music and dance.

Recognizing the significant experiences travel creates, IVECA’s curriculum often weaves tourism and global citizenship education together, encouraging students to explore the cultural, ecological, and social dimensions of travel. Through their virtual exchanges, IVECA students consider how tourism can affect cultural diversity, the preservation of natural ecosystems, and cross-cultural relationships. 

By stepping into unfamiliar surroundings with curiosity, respect, and commitment to sustainability, just as the students participating in the physical exchange this past week, students begin to see themselves not only as tourists on a personal journey, but as global citizens whose actions and choices can directly contribute to celebrating humanity and preserving nature. Such experiences create opportunities for understanding and cooperation that extend far beyond the return date on our tickets. The journeys of young travelers illustrate how global citizenship education and intercultural understanding can pave the way towards shaping a more peaceful and sustainable future, one trip at a time.

#IVECA #InternationalVirtualSchooling #InterculturalCompetence #Travel #Tourism #GlobalCitizenship #GCED #WorldTourismDay

Preparing Teachers to Shape Ethical Global Citizens

To launch the Fall 2025 semester, IVECA guided educators from Cameroon, China, Colombia, India, Korea, and Singapore through the Teacher Professional Development session. As an essential first step in the global exchange process, the session introduced participants to IVECA’s guiding principles, the structure of the virtual classroom, and practical strategies for weaving intercultural collaboration into their teaching. This preparation ensures a strong foundation for the semester and builds a shared commitment to advancing education through innovation and global connection.

Beyond orientation, the session created a space for meaningful exchange. Teachers shared their motivations, educational goals, and areas of interest before moving into hands-on exploration of the virtual platform. They reflected on their regular classroom practices, discussed ways to integrate global perspectives, and considered how the IVECA experience can enrich student learning. The mutual goal that emerged was to empower students to communicate across cultures, learn from one another, and grow as global citizens.

The central theme of the session was the ethical aspects of using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education. Teachers explored how AI could be used to support human well-being and sustainable progress in a rapidly changing world. One teacher from South Korea remarked, “Using AI can be an effective tool in the learning process; however, we should consider carefully that the rapid development and misuse of AI may cause serious issues in  education.” These discussions underscored the importance of critical thinking and human responsibility in guiding AI, recognizing that its outcomes reflect the data and intentions provided by people. By the end of the session, educators had gained new insights into how they can utilize AI to enhance student learning, creativity, and critical thinking, skills essential for becoming responsible global citizens.

This semester is set to push learning beyond traditional boundaries. Teachers are bringing IVECA into their classrooms, introducing innovative approaches that spark curiosity and creativity, while students explore new ideas related to culture, sustainability, and global awareness. Driven by enthusiasm, teachers are guiding their students on a journey toward global citizenship, shaping learners who can think critically, act responsibly, and connect across cultures to build a more just and sustainable world.

#IVECA #InternationalVirtualSchooling #InterculturalCompetence #TPD #GlobalCitizenship #GlobalEducation #TeacherProfessionalDevelopment #FallSemester #GCED #EthicalAI