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 Côte d'Ivoire’ from September 8 to September 13, 2024. The attendees included officials from Côte d'Ivoire’s Ministry of National Education and Technical Training as well as high school history and geography teachers.

In 2021, the training was conducted online due to COVID-19. This year, representatives from both countries met to exchange views on textbooks and the current educational landscape. Particularly noteworthy was 2022, when the "MEMO History and Geography College Entrance Exam Preparation Aid" was published, featuring extensive content on Korea modeled after its economic development. The training provided insights into how students and teachers received this material, focusing on both its content and the context of its creation. The training also set the stage for further inclusion of Korean-related content in Côte d'Ivoire’s textbooks in the future.

On September 9 and 10, meetings and lectures provided opportunities to deepen understanding of Korea-Africa cooperation, the history of Korea's agricultural development, and its education system.

After the meetings and lectures, the experts from Côte d'Ivoire visited Gyeongju's historic sites, including the Gyeongju National Museum, Bulguksa Temple, and Seokguram Grotto, where they gained insights into the Buddhist culture and architectural styles of the Silla Dynasty. In Seoul, visits to Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village, and Insadong allowed them to experience the blend of tradition and modernity firsthand, further enriching their understanding of Korean culture.

This training session served as a stepping stone to continue sharing textbooks and materials on Korea, further promoting mutual understanding between the two countries.