The achievements of the World Friends Korea (WFK) Volunteer Program has been recognised and acknowledged at the 2019 Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) WFK Host Organisation workshop held by KOICA Fiji Office.
The workshop held today in Suva was attended by the officials from the Ministry of Health and Education and KOICA officials and volunteers.
The WFK Host Organization workshop was first launched in 2018 and it aims to equip the host organizations and relevant ministries with knowledge of the WFK volunteer program.
While officially opening the 2019 WFK Host workshop, the Fijian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Director Asia, Mr Apolosi Lewaqai commended KOICA for WFK Volunteer Program that improves the livelihood of Fijian communities and contributes towards Fiji’s national development.
“I wish to acknowledge the work of KOICA, in rendering volunteer services in the education and health sector and providing expertise and technical advice to the Ministries of Transport, Infrastructure, Waterways, as well as the Ministry of Health and Medical Services. KOICA’s contribution in facilitating the capacity building within these core sectors has been instrumental in assisting our nation’s sustainable development efforts, and in enhancing cooperation and bilateral relations between Korea and Fiji.
“Fiji views Korea as a dependable dialogue and development partner. Our interaction and connectivity through people-to-people exchanges and programmes have been enhanced through the initiatives provided by KOICA. In continuing to work together, our combined efforts and commitment to such initiatives will indeed foster a secure and sustainable development. Through this, the vision of the program, “A Better World through Sharing and Learning” is indeed being realized,” Mr Lewaqai said.
Korean Ambassador to Fiji, Shin-hee Cho reaffirmed KOICA’s continued support and commitment to Fiji’s development and prosperity.
“I believe that volunteer program plays an important role. One of the strengths of the volunteers is that they live in and work closely with local communities. Volunteers share a desire to enhance the overall wellbeing of society – out of free will, in a spirit of solidarity, humanity and peace, and without an expectation of material reward. The contribution volunteers make is remarkable. The volunteers represent Korea in the communities, they work very hard, I am very proud of them,” Ambassador Cho said.
WFK KOICA volunteers work in 38 sectors and fields such as health, education, rural area development, vocational training and many others. KOICA currently has volunteers dispatched in Fiji and the Solomon Islands under the WFK program.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Korea established KOICA (Korean International Cooperation Agency) in 1991 as a governmental organization for Official Development Assistance (ODA) to enhance the effectiveness of South Korea's grant aid programs for developing countries by implementing the government's grant aid and technical cooperation programs.
Since its establishment in 1995, KOICA Fiji Office has been contributing to Fiji’s human development with attention to Sustainable Development Goals, through the World Friend Korea (WFK) program.