CEFIA News

The Center for International Affairs at the Academy of Korean Studies recently hosted the ‘Fellowship for Textbook Specialists of Slovenia for 6 days from October 5-11, 2018. The training course was attended by the writers and editors of major textbook publishers in Slovenia such as DZS, Rokus Klett, and Mladinska knjiga Založba.

In the Textbook Seminar held as part of the program, the participants discussed ways of increasing the positive descriptions of Korea in the textbooks of Slovenia with the topics of the educational courses and textbook system of the two countries, contents about Korea in the textbooks of Slovenia, suggestions for the increase of materials related to Korea in the textbooks of Slovenia, etc.

Afterward, the participants visited Saebit Elementary School in Suwon city to observe a class in the fifth grade and have a meeting with Principal Jeong Hui-gyun and Vice principal Lee Yong-kyeong to exchange opinions about the educational system and pending issues of Korea and Slovenia. In addition, they improved their understanding of Korean politics and economy through the lectures of Assistant Professor Cho Young-jun on the development of the Korean economy and Professor Lee Wan-beom on the the relationship between North and South Korea.

For cultural exploration, they visited the designated UNESCO Cultural Heritage such as Tomb of King Sejong (Yeongneung Royal Tomb), Tomb of King Hyojong (Yeongneung Royal Tomb) and Silleuksa Temple, Gyeongbokgung Palace, Gwanghwamun Gate, Bukchon Hanok Village, etc. to understand the Confucian values during the Joseon Dynasty and progress of development of history, science, and culture in Korea, including how traditional values are harmonizing with the modern culture of Korean society. Finally, they visited the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History to understand the modern history of Korea and the development of democracy in Korea.

The textbook specialists of Slovenia got to enhance their understanding of the education, history, economy, and culture of Korea through their participation in the Fellowship and expressed their resolve to keep making effort to improve mutual understanding using the materials related to textbooks and Korea.

In commemoration of the 15th anniversary of the Understanding Korea Project, the Center for International Affairs of the Academy of Korean Studies held as seminar titled “The Future Development Strategy of the Understanding Korea Project” on Nov. 22, 2018 at Alsace / Provence hall in Novotel Ambassador Seoul Gangnam. At the seminar, 6 educational experts in the US, France, UK, Serbia, and Argentina, who have helped in the Understanding Korea Project, gave presentations to review the traces and performances of the project and suggest strategies for each nation for the future development of the project.

The seminar began with a welcome speech by Director An Byeong-uk of the Center for International Affairs, followed by a congratulatory message by Director Chu Jin-oh of the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History and a congratulatory message by Michael Maddison, the representative of the foreign invitees and vice president of the Royal Historical Society.

Mark Peterson, an honorary professor of Brigham Young University in the US, looked back on the “Activities made for the improvement of textbooks during the past decade.” Michael Maddison, vice president of the Royal Historical Society, made suggestions for the design of the future project with the title “Learning from the past, understanding the present, and preparing for the future: the next leap of the Understanding Korea Project.” Xavier Chiron, a director in the education office of Paris, France, suggested a strategy for French-speaking countries with a presentation titled “The blueprint for the enhancement of understanding of Korea through the Understanding Korea Project and educational and cultural programs in La Francophonie countries.” Dragan Rakita, chief of the office for textbook improvement in Serbia, introduced his ideas on “expanding the Understanding Korea Project in Serbia.” Jay Harmon, a world history teacher at Houston Christianity High School in the US, gave a presentation about the performance of “improvement of US textbooks through the activities of the Understanding Korea Project.” Judith Rasnosky, editor in chief of Estrada Publishing in Argentina, gave a presentation on the performance of textbook improvement and development strategy in Argentina under the theme “Some suggestions for the enhancement of understanding of Korea in Argentina.” Around the end of the seminar, Yang Young-kyun, director of the Center for International Affairs, led the overall discussions in search of activities customized for each nation.

The 6 foreign educational experts visited Ganghwado Island, Imjingak Pavilion, the War Memorial of Korea after the seminar to expand further their understanding of the Korean history and culture.

After the seminar, the foreign educational experts emphasized the importance of the Understanding Korea Project and expressed their resolve to keep making efforts for the expansion of the project through continuous cooperation and communication. The Division of Understanding Korea Project, to increase professionalism and efficiency of carrying out the Understanding Korea Project, will prepare for the next 15 years with the seminar as a stepping stone.

The Center for International Affairs in the Academy of Korean Studies visited Moscow, Russia, for 5 days from Nov. 19 to Nov. 23, 2018 and held the “2018 Textbook Seminar of the Academy of Korean Studies and Russian Education Academy” jointly with the Russian Education Academy. Led by Vice President Chon Kyoungmok of the Academy of Korean Studies, the delegation from Korea consisted of researcher Jang Gihong and senior administrator Moon Suyeong of the Division of Understanding Korea Project as well as Kim Hyesuk, chief of the office of subject matter education at the Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation and Professor Seo Sunsik of the Department of Computer Education at the Chuncheon National University of Education, who joined the delegation for presentations in the Textbook Seminar.

On the first day of their visit to Moscow, the delegation visited the Korean embassy in Russia to meet with Ambassador Woo Yunkeun and exchange opinions about the importance of the seminar and ways of cooperation in education between the two countries. At the meeting, Ambassador Woo Yunkeun noted that while Korea and Russia have been cooperating in many areas since the restoration of diplomatic relations in 1991, educational and academic cooperation is not very active; he expects the Textbook Seminar prepared jointly by the Academy of Korean Studies and Russian Education Academy to play a very important role in cooperation on educational matters between the two nations. In response, Vice President Chon Kyoungmok of the Academy of Korean Studies expressed appreciation for the warm hospitality of the ambassador as well as the staffers at the Korean embassy in Russia for making effort for the successful hosting of the seminar.

Next, the delegation visited the Moscow National College of Education to meet with President Aleksei Rubkov and Vice President Victor Dronov and check the status of preparation for the Textbook Seminar to be held the next day. During the meeting, Vice President Victor Dronov and the people concerned at the Moscow National College of Education explained about the status of preparation for the Textbook Seminar, promised utmost cooperation with the seminar, and expressed gratitude for being able to host the Textbook Seminar at the Moscow National College of Education. In response, the delegation thanked Vice President Victor Dronov for the successful hosting of the Textbook Seminar and checked the details for the preparation.

Held for the fourth time since 2015, this year’s seminar was themed “The present and future of education in Korea and Russia” with in-depth discussion about the policy alternatives for future education according to the changes in the educational policy of the two nations and present situation and prospect of the digital textbooks of the two nations as well as pending problems.

The seminar was participated in by more than 100 people including President Alexei Rubkov and Vice President Victor Dronov of the Moscow National College of Education, Korean Ambassador Woo Yunkeun in Russia, and Director Jeong Changyun of the Korean Education Center in Russia as well as educators and textbook writers of Russia. In his congratulatory message, Vice President Chon Kyoungmok of the Academy of Korean Studies introduced the philosophy of establishment of the Academy of Korean Studies and the purpose and performances of the Understanding Korea Project and expressed hope that the seminar could provide a good opportunity to have in-depth discussions on the education and development of textbooks in the two nations.

In Part 1 of the seminar titled “The present and future of education in Korea and Russia,” President Alexei Rubkov of the Moscow National College of Education and Kim Hyesuk, chief of the office of subject matter education at the Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation, gave presentations about the status of educational policies and future prospects in the two nations. Participants in the seminar had in-depth discussions on the changing educational policies of the two nations and pending tasks and agreed to cooperate more closely as leaders of educational policies in Korea and Russia for globalization.

In Part 2 of the seminar titled “The current status and prospects of digital textbooks in Korea and Russia,” Tatiana Nikolaevna, vice president for external cooperation of the Moscow National College of Education, and Professor Seo Sunsik of the Chuncheon National University of Education analyzed the educational problems in the media environment of the two nations to make preparations by predicting the future of digital textbooks. In particular, the participants discussed ways of cooperation between the two nations for efficient and stable media education, which is facing various problems occurring in the use of media by customers of education. In addition, various questions were asked on the floor during the seminar, leading to intense discussions among the panelists on digital education.

After the successful holding of the seminar, the delegation visited the Russian Education Academy on Nov. 22 for a meeting with Yuri Zinchenko, the new director of the Russian Education Academy. In a separate meeting with Vice President Chon Kyoungmok, Director Yuri Zinchenko expressed regret over not being able to attend the seminar held on Nov. 21. In the meeting with the delegation that followed, Director Yuri Zinchenko emphasized the importance of the seminar being conducted with the Academy of Korean Studies, promising to pay more attention to and cooperate closely with the Textbook Seminar of the two nations. In addition, expressing immense interest in the educational system of Korea, he mentioned about attending the seminar next year if circumstances allow. In response, the delegation expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality of Director Yuri Zinchenko and looked forward to solidifying the cooperative relationship between the two institutes in the future.

The delegation also visited Prosveshenie Publishing, one of the major publishing houses in Russia, to seek various ways of cooperation for the improvement and addition of contents related to Korea in the textbooks of Russia. According to the representative of Prosveshenie Publishing, they are trying to include more contents about Korea in the textbooks of Russia and are developing a supplementary textbook about Korea jointly with the Korean embassy in Russia to overcome the limitation of space in textbooks.

Afterward, the delegation had a tour of the 1231 School in Moscow to see the actual site of education. The spokesperson for the 1231 School explained about the History Hall in the school and the “Room for cultural exchange with Korea” for the delegation and suggested that Vice President Chon Kyoungmok of the Academy of Korean Studies lead the tape-cutting ceremony for the opening of the “Room for cultural exchange with Korea,” which will be used as a space for the storage and display of materials about Korea and for various classes for the students who are interested in Korea. The local students gave a cultural performance to welcome the delegation.

The delegation could see the profound interest of Russia in the educational system of Korea through the Textbook Seminar held in Moscow and visits to diverse related institutes. In particular, they could see the expectations and concerns of the textbook writers and education personnel who participated in the Textbook Seminar about education in the future. It is deemed necessary for the Academy of Korean Studies and Russian Education Academy to continue close relationships and develop various materials about Korea to be provided for proper places and occasions in a timely, accurate manner.