Advancing Global Citizenship Education

K. Hahn(Ms.): Team Leader of ODA Education Department at Koworks, a unique affiliate of KOICA under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Since 2019, she has managed KOICA's Development Cooperation Exhibition Center and educational programming. She actively promotes global citizenship education both domestically and internationally, advocating it as essential for building a just, peaceful, and sustainable world.

Ms. Hahn’s journey began with a childhood desire to foster global happiness, maturing

into a commitment to fair trade and development education. An early lecture on fair

trade for children ignited her passion for GCED.

GCED still lacks widespread awareness and institutional support. One major hurdle is

tailoring content to various audiences while fostering critical engagement.

The belief that education can plant the seeds of justice and sustainability sustains her

passion. She sees herself as a catalyst for awareness through education.

Essential qualities include communication, critical thinking, and pedagogical creativity.

Han also highlights the importance of aligning one’s work with personal strengths and

values.

Beyond program delivery, she aims to influence global policy and practice through

academic research and global advocacy, ensuring GCED becomes an integral part of

mainstream education.

Advisory to Youth: "Find your strength and use it to serve a greater cause. A critical mind

and a compassionate heart are your greatest tools in shaping a better world.“

#1. What motivated you to pursue a career in international development, and how

did your journey begin?

Hahn: As a child, I had a vague aspiration to create a world where everyone could live

happily. During my university years, I developed a deeper interest in international

development cooperation. Although I initially felt skeptical about traditional aid, I

discovered fair trade and began working in that field.

My first encounter with global citizenship education (GCED) came when I was invited to

deliver a lecture on fair trade for children. That experience inspired me to build my

career in GCED. Since then, I have developed and delivered educational programs on

various global issues while continuing my academic studies.

#2. What do you find most rewarding and most challenging about your work in this

field?

Hahn: Despite its importance, global citizenship education (GCED) has yet to receive

widespread attention and participation. The challenge lies in fostering greater awareness

and engagement across diverse groups and age ranges.

To address this, I strive to design tailored educational programs that inspire interest and

encourage participation in GCED. Creating opportunities for people to engage with these

issues is one of the most rewarding aspects of this work.

#3. Why did you choose this field over other career paths, and what continues to

motivate you in your work?

Hahn: There are many ways to contribute to a more just, peaceful, and sustainable world. Among these, I chose GCED because it aligns with my strengths and skills.

What motivates me most is knowing that, through GCED, I can make even a small

contribution to creating a better world. This sense of purpose drives my passion for this

work.

#4. Would you recommend this career to someone interested in global issues? If so,

what do you think are the most essential qualities or skills for success?

Hahn: GCED is gaining recognition both domestically and internationally, as reflected in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For those interested, this field offers numerous opportunities to engage in meaningful work and contribute to a more just and sustainable world.

Key qualities for success include strong communication and teaching skills, as well as the ability to critically analyze issues. Critical mindset is essential for navigating the complexities of global challenges.

#5. What do you see as the future career prospects or evolving pathways in international development, and how do you plan to grow professionally?

Hahn: With growing interest in GCED, there are expanding career opportunities beyond program development and delivery, including research, educational material development, and consulting.

Personally, I aim to advance my academic studies and conduct research on GCED to improve accessibility and promote its adoption both domestically and globally. My goal is to contribute to the wider impact and effectiveness of global citizenship education.

#6. Could you share a memorable or meaningful episode from your experience?

Hahn: I'd like to tell you about two episodes. The first is a family that recently visited the Development Cooperation Exhibition Hall. They visited the exhibition hall on Saturday and checked their reservations. They had reserved an educational program in the morning and an exhibition commentary (docent) program in the afternoon. There was a long waiting time between the two programs, so I offered to arrange for them to listen to the exhibition commentary right after the education, but they stubbornly refused. When I asked them in the afternoon, they said that their child had gone to an academy in the middle of the day. They enjoyed both the educational program and the docent program in one day. The second is a moment that I personally cannot forget. I don't remember exactly now, but it was when a group of high school students came to visit. I was conducting an educational program, and when I saw a student's expression of realization, it sent shivers down my spine from head to toe. And at that time, I thought that what I was doing was my calling, and it still drives me to this day.

#7. What advice would you give to someone who dreams of working in this field?

Hahn: First, I would like to express my gratitude to all of you who have taken the time to visit the Development Cooperation Exhibition Hall despite the long journey. And I believe that those of you who have visited the Development Cooperation Exhibition Hall and learned about various issues and the efforts and methods to solve them have taken a step towards a sustainable future. I hope that through your visit to the exhibition hall, you will think about how we can all be happy, including yourself and your loved ones, and practice even the smallest actions one by one, and join us in creating a more inclusive, just, and peaceful world.