CEFIA News
● 2023 Textbook Seminar for Educators of Kyrgyzstan
● The 97th Societas Koreana Meeting
● The 97th Societas Koreana Meeting
2023 Textbook Seminar for Educators of Kyrgyzstan
The Division of the Understanding Korea Project of the Center for International Affairs at the Academy of Korean Studies held the "Textbook Seminar for Educators of Kyrgyzstan" from September 10 to 16, 2023. The seminar brought four experts – adviser to the Kyrgyz Minister of Education and Science, Director of Textbook Publishing Policy at the Ministry, the Senior Expert of the International Exchange and Cooperation Division, and the Director of the Teacher Training and Re-education Institute under the Ministry of Education and Science.
The Kyrgyz participants, along with Korean presenters including researchers from the Division of the Understanding Korea Project, looked over the education and textbook systems of the two countries, and Korea-related contents in Kyrgyzstan's social studies textbooks. The seminar also discussed prospects for education in the two countries and ways to promote educational and academic cooperation between the two sides. Presentations by the Kyrgyz participants confirmed that Korea-related contents in Kyrgyz textbooks are increasing but that there are rooms for improvement. The Kyrgyz delegation promised to actively cooperate to improve Korea-related contents in Kyrgyz textbooks.
The Kyrgyz participants, along with Korean presenters including researchers from the Division of the Understanding Korea Project, looked over the education and textbook systems of the two countries, and Korea-related contents in Kyrgyzstan's social studies textbooks. The seminar also discussed prospects for education in the two countries and ways to promote educational and academic cooperation between the two sides. Presentations by the Kyrgyz participants confirmed that Korea-related contents in Kyrgyz textbooks are increasing but that there are rooms for improvement. The Kyrgyz delegation promised to actively cooperate to improve Korea-related contents in Kyrgyz textbooks.
The Kyrgyz participants were very interested in the lectures on Korean history, education, and economy, and expressed their opinions on ways to maintain and expand bilateral cooperation. They were also interested in the unique interpretation of and approach to the Korean economy, and particularly showed great interest in ways to strengthen economic exchanges between Korea and Kyrgyzstan. During the lecture on Korean education, the Kyrgyz participants expressed their appreciation for the information provided on the Korean education system. They compared the Korean system with the Kyrgyz education system, and exchanged sincere questions and answers about what is needed to improve their country's education system.
The Kyrgyz participants had a chance to experience the Korean education field in a visit to a high school in Bundang, south of Seoul. They also experienced the natural beauty and history of Korea by touring cultural sites in Gyeongju, which have UNESCO World Heritage sites that show Korea's cultural excellence, rich history and relics, and also the traces of past exchanges between Kyrgyzstan and Korea. They appreciated the beauty of Seoul, a cosmopolitan city combining tradition and modernity, where they enjoyed traditional Korean culture and historical sites including royal palaces, Jogyesa Temple, National Folk Museum of Korea, Insadong, and Myeongdong. They had a chance to experience the beauty of hanbok by wearing the traditional clothes and fully experienced the unique features of Korean Buddhism in a visit to Jogyesa Temple in downtown Seoul.
The Kyrgyz participants had a chance to experience the Korean education field in a visit to a high school in Bundang, south of Seoul. They also experienced the natural beauty and history of Korea by touring cultural sites in Gyeongju, which have UNESCO World Heritage sites that show Korea's cultural excellence, rich history and relics, and also the traces of past exchanges between Kyrgyzstan and Korea. They appreciated the beauty of Seoul, a cosmopolitan city combining tradition and modernity, where they enjoyed traditional Korean culture and historical sites including royal palaces, Jogyesa Temple, National Folk Museum of Korea, Insadong, and Myeongdong. They had a chance to experience the beauty of hanbok by wearing the traditional clothes and fully experienced the unique features of Korean Buddhism in a visit to Jogyesa Temple in downtown Seoul.
The Kyrgyz educators who participated in the seminar did not miss any single program throughout their stay in Korea and they spoke very highly of the Korean culture, arts, economy, and society. They discussed specific ways to maintain the Korea-Kyrgyzstan relations on a broader scale, and agreed to actively cooperate in organizing textbook seminars to be held in Kyrgyzstan.
The 97th Societas Koreana Meeting
The Division of International Support for Korean Studies at the Center for International Affairs of the Academy of Korean Studies held the 97th Societas Koreana Meeting at the Korea Press Center on September 20, 2023. Prof. David Oliver Kasdan of Sungkyunkwan University spoke under the theme of "Ggondae Be Gone - It's MZ Time! Generational Evolution and a Future of Uncertainty." As the title suggested, the lecture dealt with the older generation and the MZ generation in Korea.
Based on his research on various aspects of Korean society, such as the growth of hallyu, the declining birth rate, traditional norms and modern sensibilities, Dr. Kasdan discussed how generational change will affect Korean society in the future.
Participants were able to share various opinions in a Q&A session that followed the lecture. The lecture will be posted on the Societas Koreana's YouTube channel.
Based on his research on various aspects of Korean society, such as the growth of hallyu, the declining birth rate, traditional norms and modern sensibilities, Dr. Kasdan discussed how generational change will affect Korean society in the future.
Participants were able to share various opinions in a Q&A session that followed the lecture. The lecture will be posted on the Societas Koreana's YouTube channel.
