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- What are the main roles and missions of KOICA as an international cooperation agency playing a crucial role in the implementation of development projects around the world?
KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency), established in 1991, is a grant provider under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea. By sharing Korea’s development experiences and know-how with partner countries, KOICA aims to support their sustainable growth, achieve mutual prosperity and strengthen friendly relations.
The Agency also contributes to common prosperity and the promotion of global peace through inclusive and mutual development cooperation that leaves no one behind. It acts as a platform for development cooperation by establishing partnerships with various actors, including ministries, public institutions, businesses, academia, civil society and United Nations Development Agencies.
Through our global network, we join forces with the international community to help solve global challenges, including poverty, environmental protection, population, epidemics and human rights. We also favor individuals and companies with global competitiveness while prioritizing mutual growth with partner countries.
Regarding the KOICA office in Morocco, it has been operational since 2001, which means that we have been present in the Kingdom for over 23 years. We are currently focusing on two sectors: renewable energy and the vocational training system.
- Tell us about the main programs offered by KOICA in Morocco, benefiting Moroccans interested in South Korea?
We have two vital exchange programs that build valuable ties between Korea and Morocco. The first component consists of sending Korean volunteers to Morocco, thus providing an enriching opportunity for these Koreans to discover Moroccan culture and society and for Moroccans to learn the Korean language and culture while opening themselves to new perspectives.
The second component involves inviting Moroccan civil servants to Korea for training, where they have the opportunity to deepen their skills in their respective fields and explore new perspectives and opportunities. Since 2001, our volunteer program has sent more than 560 Korean volunteers to Morocco, but due to the Covid crisis, the program was suspended for two years.
Fortunately, last year we were able to successfully relaunch it. Currently, we are delighted to have 70 Korean volunteers in Morocco, spread from Essaouira to Tangier. Which actively contribute to the development and cooperation between our two nations.
KOICA therefore plays a crucial role in bilateral cooperation between the governments of South Korea and Morocco, primarily focusing on building the capacity of government officials. Every year we organize training programs for around twenty selected people, focusing on priority areas such as professional education, renewable energy and the environment.
Last year, our training program focused on renewable energy, providing participants with a unique opportunity to learn from South Korean experts for two weeks. In addition to these programs, we also offer master’s and doctoral opportunities for civil servants wishing to deepen their knowledge in various fields. In total, we offer three specific programs in Morocco each year, as well as several other invitation programs in different areas, thus contributing to capacity building and cooperation between our two countries.
- Many Moroccans are strongly motivated to learn the Korean language currently. Could you tell us about the volunteer program which involves the arrival of Koreans in Morocco to teach this language?
In recent years, we have launched an ambitious program aimed at meeting the growing demand from young Moroccans interested in Korean culture and language. By sending Korean volunteers to different cities in Morocco, we offer a unique opportunity for language and cultural learning. This initiative was born from the desire to strengthen ties between our two countries and to promote mutual understanding between our cultures.
Every year, we receive numerous requests from Moroccan universities to host Korean volunteers for cultural and linguistic exchanges lasting one year, with the possibility of extending up to two years. These volunteers, two in number per institution, are entrusted with the task of teaching the Korean language and organizing various cultural activities, ranging from Marrakech to Essaouira via Fez and Tangier.
At the same time, we also organize Korean culture festivals in different regions of Morocco, allowing the local population to discover and appreciate the richness of our cultural heritage. Before their arrival in Morocco, volunteers benefit from 6 weeks of intensive training, including Darija lessons and immersion in Moroccan culture.
Once there, they also follow an 8-week program focused on the History and Culture of Morocco, in order to better understand the context in which they operate. With a constant increase in the number of volunteers and a growing demand from Moroccan institutions, we are determined to continue and develop this program in the years to come, thus strengthening the bonds of friendship and cooperation between our two nations.
- You mentioned a training program for the benefit of Moroccans. What are the necessary criteria for a Moroccan civil servant to participate in this training program in South Korea?
The letter of recommendation issued by the ministry is of capital importance in the process of selecting civil servants for our programs. Based on this criterion and taking into account the specific objectives of the program, we carefully choose participants based on recommendations from the Moroccan government. This approach guarantees not only the quality of the selected candidates, but also an adequacy with the needs and priorities of Morocco in terms of development.
By sharing our know-how and expertise acquired over years of development and economic growth, Korea actively contributes to the international community by promoting the transfer of knowledge and skills. This strengthened partnership between our two countries provides valuable opportunities for mutual learning and cooperation that benefit both Morocco and Korea, while promoting global progress towards a more inclusive and sustainable future.
- What project have you recentlyundertaken within your Agency?
We are currently in the process of preparing and designing a Korean volunteer program focused on the cultural sector. Although this project has not yet been finalized, we are aware of the importance of continuing discussions with Moroccan agencies in order to ensure its success.
My main objective is to provide a platform for exchange between young Koreans and young Moroccans, thus allowing them to share their experiences and knowledge in the field of entertainment, particularly with regard to K-pop, a cultural industry major in South Korea.
I thus strive to explore new avenues for voluntary work in the field of youth education by integrating popular culture. Recognizing the significant impact of pop culture on the lives of young people, I firmly believe that incorporating familiar cultural references into educational programs can strengthen youth engagement and promote more dynamic learning. My goal is to create initiatives that use elements of popular culture, such as music, films, video games and social media, to teach life skills and encourage creativity and individual expression in young people. .
This program has a certain ambition for me, because I firmly believe in its potential to promote mutual understanding and strengthen cultural ties between our two countries. Although we are still in the early stages of discussing this initiative, I am convinced that with careful planning and close collaboration with our Moroccan partners, we will be able to realize this ambitious and beneficial project for the young people of both our nations.
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