IVECA Joins the CoNGO Board to Advance Global Collaboration

We are proud to announce that IVECA has been elected to serve on the Board of the Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations (CoNGO). The election took place during the CoNGO General Assembly on October 30, 2025, marking a meaningful milestone that reflects our belief that global development is achieved through cooperation, shared responsibility, and the efforts of civil society.

Founded in 1948, CoNGO is a respected, long-standing global platform that brings together non-governmental organisations in consultative relationship with the UN’s Economic and Social Council. It provides space for civil society to join international conversations, influence policymaking, and work alongside UN bodies to advance human rights, sustainable development, and inclusive global cooperation.

IVECA’s election to the Board is an honour that highlights our ongoing commitment to education, global citizenship, youth empowerment, and cross-border collaboration. At IVECA, we are humbled that our efforts to build globally inclusive, culturally responsive learning spaces and to amplify young people’s voices have been recognised by peers across the international civil society community. We accept this responsibility with gratitude and determination, ready to contribute our experience and energy to CoNGO’s mission.

Serving on the CoNGO Board means joining a group of committed civil society leaders who help shape the organisation’s priorities and ensure that NGO voices are heard across UN processes. Board members guide CoNGO’s strategy, strengthen partnerships between NGOs and UN institutions, and support the committees and working groups that connect grassroots experience to international policy. This is meaningful, practical work: it helps translate on-the-ground expertise into constructive engagement at the global level.

As a Board Member, IVECA will bring a passion for learner-centred practice, a belief in youth as partners in change, a focus on global citizenship, and a collaborative spirit dedicated to strengthening civil society’s role within the UN ecosystem. We look forward to working with fellow Board Members, CoNGO committees, and member organisations to advance shared goals and to ensure that education, access to information, and youth leadership remain central to global efforts for a fairer, more sustainable future.

#UN #CoNGO #IVECA #GCED #GlobalCitizenship

Becoming Global Citizens through Science, Peace, and Tolerance

Two United Nations observances–the International Week of Science and Peace (November 9-15) and the International Day for Tolerance (November 16)–are celebrated each year to remind us of our collective duty to build a more peaceful, sustainable, and inclusive world. These observances align with IVECA’s mission to nurture interculturally competent global citizens who understand that their perspectives and actions influence global communities far beyond their immediate surroundings. By exploring science, strengthening communication skills and practicing mutual respect, IVECA students learn to collaborate despite their differences and contribute to a world where diverse cultures and knowledge systems coexist to benefit us all.

The International Week of Science and Peace promotes the idea that scientific progress and peace are deeply connected. Recognized by the UN General Assembly to highlight the role of science in solving global challenges, it encourages harmonious cooperation across borders through research and innovation. This year’s theme, “Trust, Transformation and Tomorrow: The Science We Need for Tomorrow” emphasizes how shared understanding is key to building a sustainable future. IVECA strives towards this goal with creative, engaging curricula that explore the many scientific dimensions of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). From studying clean energy and local efforts in pollution control to observing the use of natural resources and impacts on animal life, students connect scientific inquiry with social responsibility to embrace their roles in achieving global peace.

The International Day for Tolerance calls for respect, empathy, and appreciation of diversity. First observed in 1996 following its declaration by UNESCO, the day reminds us of the dangers of intolerance and that true tolerance means actively engaging with difference. It affirms that peace depends on inclusion and understanding–a recognition that is essential for our peaceful coexistence. IVECA encourages students to reflect on how open-minded communication helps build trust and strengthen global connections. Students build intercultural relationships from the ground up through their virtual exchanges, overcoming their cultural and linguistic barriers. By sharing cultural performances and traditions, exchanging ideas and insights on global issues, and connecting over shared interests, students build lasting friendships and develop genuine tolerance by finding common ground while appreciating their differences.

Every November, these observances underscore that both science and tolerance are vital in our pursuit of peace. Scientific advancements both demand and inspire cooperation through innovation and inquiry, while tolerance sustains those relationships with respect and empathy. When students engage in learning that values these strengths, they practice the essence of global citizenship by thinking critically, communicating effectively across cultures, and acting with integrity to help create a more inclusive and sustainable world.

#GCED #GlobalCitizenship #IVECA #Tolerance #ScienceandPeace #SDGs #Sustainability #Peace #EducationforAll

IVECA Launches the 2025 Global Youth Mentorship Program

On Monday, November 3, 2025, IVECA welcomed youth mentors to  the 2025 Global Youth Mentorship Program (iGYMP) through an engaging online orientation. The orientation session connected U.S. university student mentors from diverse backgrounds to begin an inspiring seven-week journey centered on “Inclusive STEAM Solutions for Global Impact.”

The session was filled with energy as mentors met the IVECA team and were introduced to IVECA’s vision of nurturing interculturally competent global citizens who work together for peace and sustainable development. They learned how their participation would open doors for meaningful collaboration with high school students from South Korea and India. The session guided mentors through the program’s flow and expectations. From friendly exchanges of self-introductions and perspectives to project presentations,  the mentors will serve as role models, providing constructive feedback to inspire and motivate students and fostering a shared celebration of learning and cultural understanding.

Under the STEAM umbrella, they will explore creative ways to address global challenges connected to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 6, 7, 9, 11, and 17. The focus is not just on solving problems, but on doing so through imagination, empathy, and collaboration, where science meets art, and technology meets compassion. Over the coming weeks, mentors and students will collaborate to design inclusive STEAM projects that reflect both creativity and compassion. Their ideas, shaped through teamwork and dialogue, may even reach the United Nations stage, where young voices continue to inspire solutions for global challenges.

The session highlighted that the mentors’ role goes far beyond guiding; it is about inspiring, connecting, and learning together. Dr. Eunhee Jung shared that global citizenship begins with a sense of belonging to an interconnected global community. This awareness nurtures empathy toward others by recognizing our shared challenges while also valuing each person’s unique perspective and contribution. Through iGYMP, mentors and students are invited to see the world not as separate nations, but as one diverse community working toward a better tomorrow. Each exchange between mentors and mentees will become an opportunity to listen, to understand, and to co-create ideas that can make a real difference in local communities, building our global future.  

Reflecting the shared excitement of things to come, one mentor aptly expressed their anticipation saying, “I’m excited to begin this journey with you all, experiencing other cultures and broadening my perspective. I’m very excited to learn from you all and the students, too.” The 2025 Global Youth Mentorship Program sets in motion another memorable chapter in IVECA’s mission, reminding us that when young minds and open hearts meet across cultures, learning becomes transformation, and every step taken together becomes a step toward a more peaceful and sustainable world.

#IVECA #GlobalCitizenship #InterculturalLearning #VirtualExchange #SDGs #iGYMP #YouthEmpowerment #CulturalExchange #GCED #Mentorship