CEFIA News
● Call for Applicants: 2026 Development of Educational Materials and Activities for Understanding Korea Support Project
● 2025 Textbook Seminar for Educators of Latvia
● 2025 Textbook Seminar for Educators of Latvia
Call for Applicants: 2026 Development of Educational Materials and Activities for Understanding Korea Support Project
The Academy of Korean Studies, Understanding Korea Project Office invites overseas experts in elementary, middle, and high school education or textbooks to participate in the “Development of Educational Materials and Activities for Understanding Korea Support Project.”
1. Support recipients: overseas experts in elementary, middle, or high school education and textbooks authors
2. Support category: Development of Educational Materials for Understanding Korea, Understanding Korea Activities
3. Support amount: up to KRW 40 million per project (the amount of assistance may vary according to the nature of
each project)
4. Grant period: [scheduled] March 1, 2026 - February 28, 2027
5. Grant application period: November 3, 2025, 09:00 – December 12, 2025, 17:00 (Korea Standard Time)
6. Grant award announcement: [scheduled] February 13 (Fri), 2026, via AKS website and by email
7. How to apply: apply online via the Academy of Korean Studies website (https://www.aks.ac.kr)
8. Inquiries: aks_project@aks.ac.kr
1. Support recipients: overseas experts in elementary, middle, or high school education and textbooks authors
2. Support category: Development of Educational Materials for Understanding Korea, Understanding Korea Activities
3. Support amount: up to KRW 40 million per project (the amount of assistance may vary according to the nature of
each project)
4. Grant period: [scheduled] March 1, 2026 - February 28, 2027
5. Grant application period: November 3, 2025, 09:00 – December 12, 2025, 17:00 (Korea Standard Time)
6. Grant award announcement: [scheduled] February 13 (Fri), 2026, via AKS website and by email
7. How to apply: apply online via the Academy of Korean Studies website (https://www.aks.ac.kr)
8. Inquiries: aks_project@aks.ac.kr
2025 Textbook Seminar for Educators of Latvia
The Division of Understanding Korean Project at the Academy of Korean Studies held the “Program for Textbook Specialists from Latvia” over five nights and six days from November 24 to November 29, 2025. A total of four participants took part in this program, including the president and board members of the Latvian Association of History and Social Science Teachers, as well as the lead author from Zvaigzne ABC Publishing House.
Through the textbook seminar, the educational and textbook compilation systems of both countries were examined, along with the portrayal of Korea in Latvian social studies textbooks. The review confirmed that content related to Korea in Latvian textbooks is extremely limited and described from a Eurocentric perspective. Accordingly, future directions for education in both countries and strategies for academic cooperation were discussed, and the Latvian delegation expressed their commitment to actively cooperate in improving Korea-related content in textbooks. Furthermore, they showed great interest in lectures on Korean history and education, and actively contributed ideas regarding ways to expand bilateral cooperation. During the lecture on Korea’s education system, participants noted similarities with Latvia’s education system, and in-depth questions and answers were exchanged regarding future directions for education.
Through the textbook seminar, the educational and textbook compilation systems of both countries were examined, along with the portrayal of Korea in Latvian social studies textbooks. The review confirmed that content related to Korea in Latvian textbooks is extremely limited and described from a Eurocentric perspective. Accordingly, future directions for education in both countries and strategies for academic cooperation were discussed, and the Latvian delegation expressed their commitment to actively cooperate in improving Korea-related content in textbooks. Furthermore, they showed great interest in lectures on Korean history and education, and actively contributed ideas regarding ways to expand bilateral cooperation. During the lecture on Korea’s education system, participants noted similarities with Latvia’s education system, and in-depth questions and answers were exchanged regarding future directions for education.
The Latvian textbook specialists visited a high school in the Bundang area to experience Korea’s educational environment firsthand, and through a tour of cultural heritage sites in Gyeongju, a UNESCO World Heritage area, they gained deeper insight into Korea’s nature and culture, witnessing Korea’s cultural excellence, its long history and artifacts, and even traces of past exchanges between Latvia and Korea. In addition, they toured various attractions in Seoul, including the royal palaces, N Seoul Tower, the National Folk Museum of Korea, Insadong, and Myeongdong, gaining an appreciation for Seoul’s charm as a city where tradition and modernity coexist, and also experienced Korean Buddhist culture through a visit to Jogyesa Temple.
The Latvian textbook specialists participated sincerely in all activities throughout the program and expressed strong appreciation for Korean culture, arts, economy, and society. They also discussed concrete measures for the continued development of bilateral relations, including in textbooks, and agreed to actively cooperate in preparing for an upcoming textbook seminar scheduled to be held in Latvia.
