The Export-Import Bank of Korea (www.koreaexim.go.kr,“Korea Eximbank”) announced on the 23rd that it launched the 8th EDCF* College Camp on February 19 where about 50 Korean college students participated.
*The Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) was established by the Korean government in 1987 to promote economic exchanges with the developing world and to assist developing countries in achieving industrialization and economic stability through the provision of long-term, low-interest credit. Korea Eximbank currently manages the fund as its trustee.
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, media, 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.
The camp has prepared various interactive programs for the participants to increase their knowledge on international development cooperation: Practice of Cooperation Strategy Development by Country, which entails development cooperation case studies; 100 Minute ODA Debate, which is a group discussion on development cooperation cases; and Challenge ODA Golden Bell, which is a quiz contest.
The camp received huge responses from the participants.
Cho Eun-byul, a 23 year old student studying at Hankyung university said, “I always dreamed of working for an international organization but had no clue where to start." She continued, "But after taking part in the camp, I have a more concrete idea to work in the international development cooperation field to help what ever I can for the development in developing countries."
Attending the opening ceremony of the camp, Korea Eximbank Deputy Chairman Nam Ki-sub remarked, “EDCF College Camp will help young talents take the first major step forward in growing into international development cooperation specialists.” He added, “I hope that this camp will be an interactive venue to share fresh and creative ideas among the young people.”
The biannual EDCF College Camp, being hosted for its 8th time so far, was launched in 2010. The camp application rate was five to one, indicating a high interest in the event. Up to now, 350 students have completed the camp program.
