The Export-Import Bank of Korea (www.koreaexim.go.kr, Chairman Lee Duk-hoon, "Korea Eximbank" announced that it is hosting the 11th EDCF* College Camp for three days from August 12 in the bank's headquarters in Yeoido and HR Development Center in Yongin.
- 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.
The EDCF College Camp where 50 college students are participating is designed to share new ideas and vision about international development in the evolving global landscape and increase consensus on the need of Official Development Assistance (ODA).
A special appearance was made by former major-leaguer Park Chan-ho as the Goodwill Ambassador of EDCF to deliver a special lecture titled, "Economic Development in Developing Countries and EDCF."
Park said, "I realized that the spirit of sharing practiced by EDCF with developing countries was in line with my personal aspiration to share Korea's advanced baseball with developing countries." He continued, "If EDCF works to provide tangible assistance to developing countries, I will work to give intangible assistance to people in developing countries to help them believe in themselves that I can do it too."
Previously in June, Park had the opportunity to visit an EDCF project site and the youth baseball club in Vietnam.
The camp will be attended by development aid experts from a number of organizations such as the Office for Government Policy Coordination, Ministry of Strategy and Finance, and KOICA.
They will be giving information about overall ODA activities including latest development aid theories and international development cooperation trends.
Interactive programs which will be directly led by participants will also take place including case study presentations on development cooperation and the 100 minute EDCF debate.
The camp received great responses from the participants. Park Sung-jong (23-year-old from Toronto Univ.) said, “My friend who is from Laos told me that the Mekong river bank was built with Korean aid, which has greatly improved the lives of the residents. It made me proud of Korea's ODA efforts." He continued, "I learned a lot of information about ODA and international development cooperation through this camp. And thanks to this camp, I think I took a major step forward in achieving my dream to work in the international development sector."
At the opening ceremony of the camp, Korea Eximbank Chairman Lee Duk-hoon remarked, "The EDCF Camp organized by Korea Eximbank has been gaining popularity among the youth who dream to become ODA experts." He added, "I hope the camp will serve as an effective channel of communications to build expertise and networks for students who will become future ODA specialists of Korea."
Launched in 2010, the semi-annual EDCF College Camp has been hosted 11 times so far. With the average application rate of four to one, the camp is enjoying high popularity. Up until now, about 600 participants completed the camp program.
