What kind of volunteer work is provided through the WFK-KOV program?
The WFK-KOV program dispatches Korean nationals to partner countries to share expertise, knowledge, and experience in order to make practical contributions to their socioeconomic development. The first WFK-KOV project in 1990 dispatched 44 volunteers to Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
Since then, a total of 6,806 people have participated in the program (as of 2009). About 1,650 volunteers are currently serving in 46 countries all over the world in Asia, Africa, and other regions. Their work includes sectors such as education, health, rural development and information & communication technology (ICT).
This program is an important part of Korea`s grant aid program, since it encourages the exchange of human resources.
It strengthens the impact of Korea's foreign aid, and enhances mutual understanding between Korea and its partner countries.
Furthermore, the program expands opportunities for the Korean public to take part in Korea’s growing development assistance programs.
In other words, the WFK-KOV program helps to raise awareness on development cooperation and strengthen public engagement.
Mission and Goals
-
Mission
To contribute to poverty reduction and to sustainable development in developing countries.
-
Three goals
To help improve the quality of life of people in developing countries.
To strengthen friendly relations and mutual understanding between host countries and Korea.
To utilize volunteers` experience and knowledge acquired through overseas volunteering activities.
WFK-KOV
World Friends Korea (WFK) is both the new name and the new program for volunteers dispatched overseas by the Korean government.
The program was named in the hope that the volunteers will be "friends for those in need around the world." The WFK program consists of seven different volunteer programs including the Korea Overseas Volunteer (KOV) program, which is the core program of the WFK.
- Korea Overseas Volunteers (KOV) Program
- Korea University Volunteers (KUV) Program
- Korea Internet Volunteers (KIV) Program
- Korea Techno Peace Corps (TPC) Program
- World Friends Advisers (WFA) Program
- Korea Gray Experts Program
- Korea Taekwondo Peace Corps Program
What is KOICA?
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), under the authority of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MOFAT), implements and administers the grant aid and technical cooperation programs provided by the Government of the Republic of Korea. KOICA contributes to strengthening Korea’s friendly relationships with its partner countries by promoting the socioeconomic advancement in the developing world with a focus on the following areas :
- Sharing Korea’s development experience
- Supporting the development of human resources and socioeconomic infrastructure
- Expanding the information and communication technology (ICT) sector in an effort to close the digital divide between developed
and developing countries - Promoting universal values and addressing global issues
- Building peace through post-war reconstruction assistance programs