KOICA to Provide Work Experience Opportunities to 30,000 Youth by 2027

2023 1st KOICA ODA Young Professional Launch Ceremony (Photo by KOICA)

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has announced plans to provide work experience opportunities to 30,000 young people through its Official Development Assistance (ODA) projects by 2027.

On the 4th, KOICA revealed the launch of the 'KOICA Youth Initiative,' which aims to expand work experience opportunities for youth in ODA projects, including overseas volunteer groups, overseas office youth interns, and coordinators, while fostering capable global young talents.

This initiative is designed to offer young people the experience of participating in solving global challenges such as poverty, inequality, and climate change through ODA projects, and to support their career development on a global stage.

KOICA plans to strengthen job experience for participants in its representative overseas youth engagement programs?overseas volunteer groups, overseas office youth interns (Young Professionals), and coordinators?while expanding the total number of participants to 30,000 by 2027.

Regarding KOICA’s overseas volunteer groups, which have operated only long-term general volunteer groups of over one year for the past 30 years, the system will shift to a two-track structure starting this year, including youth-centered project volunteer groups lasting less than six months.

The World Friends Korea Youth Volunteer Group, targeting university students who prefer short-term global experiences and exchanges, will also be significantly expanded. The number of dispatched volunteers, which decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic, will be restored by this year and gradually increased until 2027.

Expansion of agreements with universities for credit recognition programs will also be pursued. Last year, KOICA signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) on credit recognition cooperation with Soongsil University (18 credits), Gangneung-Wonju National University (12 credits), and Yongin University (12 credits), and plans to increase the number of universities participating in the credit recognition system.

Jang Won-sam, KOICA’s President, stated, "In line with the government’s youth policies and changing times, we will expand youth participation in representative national engagement programs in the ODA sector, such as overseas volunteer groups and youth interns. We aim to create a virtuous cycle where experiences participating in solving global issues contribute to national interests and individual career development."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.