The Export-Import Bank of Korea (www.koreaexim.go.kr, Chairman Lee Duk-hoon, “Korea Eximbank”) announced that it launched the 9th EDCF College Camp on August 20 where about 60 Korean college students participated.

The two-night three-day camp being held at the bank’s headquarters in Yeoido and its HR Development Center in Yongin was launched to share the globally evolving ideas and vision with college students interested in international development cooperation and to gather consensus on the need for official development assistance (ODA).

At the camp, senior experts on development aid from organizations such as Korea Eximbank, the national assembly, Ministry of Strategy and Finance, KOICA, and NGOs were mobilized, actively sharing information on ODA from the basic development aid theories to the latest trends of international development cooperation.

In particular, three interns at the bank who are from Asian University for Women (from Nepal, Afghanistan, and India each) were invited as guest speakers to make presentations on what Korea’s development experiences mean for the economic growth in developing countries, inspiring the participants and instilling passion into them.

*Asian University for Women: Established in Chittagong, Bangladesh in 2008, the university selects 500 girl students from 12 developing countries to provide free education. Cherie Blair, wife of the former British Prime Minister Tony Blair currently serves as the principal of the school.

Honorary professor Kim Sung-soo of Korea University (aged 73) who worked in Germany as a miner when he was young made a presentation titled, “The Seed of Miracle Discovered from Germany’s Coal Mines.” He shared his story as a miner struggling in Germany and gave vivid descriptions of what it was like studying abroad.”

He received rave responses from the audience for his story.

Lee Sung-jun, a 23 year old student studying at Kunkuk university said, “Before the camp, I had a vague impression of Korea being a wealthy country that is providing aid to developing countries. But now I have learned that our former generation greatly contributed to Korea’s economic growth by working painfully hard.” He continued, "With this camp giving me fresh momentum, I would like to work in the development cooperation sector to contribute to the mutual well-being of Korea and the developing countries wanting to become the next Korea.”

Attending the opening ceremony of the camp, Korea Eximbank Chairman Lee Duk-hoon remarked, “EDCF College Camp will help young talents take the first major step forward in growing into international development cooperation experts.” He added, “I hope that this camp will be an interactive venue to share fresh and creative ideas among the young people.”

Launched in 2010, the semi-annual EDCF College Camp was held for the 9th time this year. The camp application rate was five to one, indicating a high interest in the event. Up to now, 400 students have completed the camp program.